Els Slots

The Netherlands - 13-Feb-21 -

Within the already incscribed Tabriz Bazaar complex also lies the ‘Blue Mosque’ (which also mysteriously still features on Iran’s Tentative List as Kaboud Mosque). Looking at the UNESCO map it seems indeed connected to the Grand Bazaar, but in practice it requires a taxi ride from the bazaar to get to this mosque. Its renovated brick backside faces the main street, but when you walk around it a monumental gate like that of the masterpieces in Uzbekistan appears.

This mosque was built in the style of the Mongolian Timurid dynasty in the second half of the 15th century. Tabriz was at that time the capital of East Persia. The mosque has suffered badly during the past - an earthquake in 1779 largely destroyed it. On 19th century sketches made by passing European travelers it is shown as virtually a ruin. Since then much brickwork has been added to make it whole again. But it is far from finished – according to our guide there is disagreement about how to proceed.

Both the exterior and interior tiling contains special calligraphic texts and geometric symbols that are not common for mosques. A series of swastikas from Zoroastrian Persia can be found for example.