Jameh Mosque of Qaen

Iran is a country that exports gold. But red gold. Saffron, which is grown and harvested in Khorasan region, is one of the most special export products of this country.

In the meantime, the city of Qaen in South Khorasan province is the capital of saffron and barberry in the world and has a worldwide reputation. In this article, we are going to explore a building that has been the focus of governments throughout the Islamic Middle Ages and was the tallest building in the city of Qaen until 30 years ago. The name of this architectural masterpiece is Jameh Mosque of Qaen. This mosque is the first registered heritage of South Khorasan in the national heritages of Iran. Qaen itself is the second largest city in the region

Let's start our journey to the saffron and barberry center of the world.

Is Jameh Mosque of Qaen built on the Sassanid Fire Temple?

Various inscriptions have been found here, which provide very useful information to researchers. We know that the Muslim conquerors built mosques on the fire temples of the Sasanian period. In order to find out whether this applies to this mosque or not, we have to go back a little. The current architecture of the mosque belongs to the Safavid and Ilkhanid periods, and the rulers of these two dynasties, who are only one hundred and fifty years apart, have made great efforts to make the mosque more magnificent. But with further explorations in the mosque, we realized that some buried columns and stones have architecture and materials related to the Seljuk period. In addition, Muslim historians of the 9th and 10th centuries have reported that this magnificent mosque has no equivalent in the whole of Khorasan. Finally, as more questions arose for archaeologists, new excavations were carried out and it was found that a part of the mosque was built on the fire temples of the Sassanid period and gradually increased its area.

The unique features of Jameh Mosque of Qaen:

Unlike all Iranian mosques, this mosque has two altars facing two different qiblas. The cause of this issue was the conflict and differences between Shiites and Sunnis. Also, this very old structure has an area of 2500 square meters and with a height of 20 meters, until about 30 years ago, it was considered the highest building in Qaen. The courtyard of the mosque is an area 33 meters long and 28 meters wide.

Two meters deep cells can be seen around the courtyard. It is interesting that the mosque does not have a minaret, which is due to the destruction of its two former minarets, which were lost in the earthquake. In order to prevent the mosque from collapsing, two Shabestans were built on both sides of it. The interior of the mosque will blow your mind. The roof of the porch has four arches and three domes, which are uniquely painted and decorated, as well as its numerous mosaics and muqarnas are very artistic. Don't forget to visit the extremely beautiful porch of Jameh Mosque of Qaen.

The red gold city has another valuable rare gem. Jameh Mosque of Qaen!!!