Ancient Congregational Mosque of Shiraz
| Ancient Congregational Mosque of Shiraz | |
|---|---|
مسجد جامع عتیق (شیراز) | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Islam |
| Ecclesiastical or organisational status | Friday mosque |
| Status | Active |
| Location | |
| Location | Shiraz, Fars |
| Country | Iran |
Location of the mosque in Iran | |
| Coordinates | 29°36′29″N 52°32′41″E / 29.608177°N 52.544828°E |
| Architecture | |
| Type | Mosque architecture |
| Style | |
| Founder | Amir ibn al-Layth (AH 281) |
| Completed | |
| Specifications | |
| Dome | One |
| Minaret | Two (turret-style) |
| Minaret height | 25 m (82 ft) |
| Materials | Stone; bricks; plaster; ceramic tiles |
| Official name |
|
| Type | Built |
| Designated | 6 January 1932 |
| Reference no. | 72 and 73 |
| Conservation organization | Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization of Iran |
The Ancient Congregational Mosque of Shiraz is the oldest mosque of Shiraz, the capital of Ostane Fars in Iran. Dating from the earliest part of the 9th century Persian Renaissance following the liberation of Shiraz from the Abbasid Caliphate, it was built over a pre-existing religious compound, most likely a fire temple.
Today it functions as a Shi'ite Friday mosque. The 9th-century mosque is the oldest mosque in Shiraz, and was built in celebration of the reconquest of Shiraz from the Abbasids by Amr-e Laith Saffari of the Saffarid dynasty in 276 AH (889/890 CE) and was completed in 281 AH (894/895CE). The mosque has been restored many times; and most of the present day structure – a four-iwan courtyard mosque – dates from the 17th century.
In the center of the mosque's sahn is the Khuda Khane (lit. 'House of God'). Commissioned by Inju'id ruler Mahmud Shah (1325-1336) in 1351 for the storage of Qur'ans, this small kiosk is also known as Bayt al-Mashaf (lit. 'House of Qur'ans' or 'House of Books'). Both the mosque and Khuda Khane are aligned with qibla slightly east of south.