Baland Mosque, Sixteenth century mosque in Bukhara, Uzbekistan.
The Baland Mosque is a 16th-century place of worship with two separate prayer rooms, each serving different seasonal purposes. The interior features wooden muqarnas decorating the columns and ornate mosaic tiles covering the walls throughout.
The building was constructed in the early 1500s and displays clear Persian architectural influences throughout its structure. It underwent significant renovations during the 1800s, with the iwan section receiving particular attention.
The mosque displays calligraphic inscriptions in gold beneath the ceiling, showing how Islamic prayer spaces integrate religious texts into their visual decoration. Visitors can observe these details while moving through the prayer areas.
The two prayer rooms are designed to accommodate different seasons, with one suited for winter and the other for summer use. Visitors should dress respectfully and move carefully around the decorated columns and fragile tile work.
The wooden ceiling of the winter prayer room features intricately carved planks paired with gilded floral paintings on the walls. This combination of wood craftsmanship and painted decoration is distinctive to this space.
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