The Tarikhaneh Mosque (Persian: مسجد تاریخانه; also variously rendered as Tarikhana Mosque or Tarikh Khana Mosque), is a historic monument located on the southern limit of the present day city of Damghan, Iran.
Tarikhaneh Mosque | |
---|---|
مسجد تاریخانه | |
General information | |
Type | Mosque |
Architectural style | َEarly Islamic |
Location | Damghan, Semnan Province, Iran |
Address | Mutahari St., Damghan |
Coordinates | 36°9′51″N 54°21′15″E / 36.16417°N 54.35417°E |
Owner | Government of Iran |
Etymology
"Tarikhaneh" is derived from tari ("god") and khaneh ("home"), thus meaning "god's home".[1]
History
The chronology of the building's construction is not well-documented.[2] Based on its very close similarities with earlier Sassanian architecture, it is likely from the first centuries of Islamic rule, possibly in the 8th century.[3][4][5] Some scholars have suggested that is overall form and style corresponds more to the 9th century.[2]
Architecture
The main plan consists of a square courtyard which is surrounded by arcades of barrel vaults supported by slightly pointed fired brick arches set on thick circular pillars, typical of Sassanid architecture.[6] The pillars are 3.5 meters tall and almost 2 meters in diameter.[7][page needed] The hypostyle prayer hall consists of several naves or aisles divided by arcades and covered by vaults, with the central nave being larger than the others.[8]
Standing together at a distance from the mosque are the remains of a square column of uncertain date, possibly part of the original construction period and a cylindrical minaret.[9] The latter was built sometime in the years 1026 to 1028.[9][8][10] It resembles the style of later Seljuk minarets.[8] The minaret is 4.2 meters in diameter; its top has fallen, but originally it must have measured more the 30 meters high, with a gallery supported on muqarnas corbels.[9] The tower is strikingly divided into six zones of ornamentation, each rendered in brick with a different geometric pattern. An inscription at around mid-way up the tower records that its construction was commissioned by the local governor, Abu Harb Bakhtyar ibn Muhammad.[9]
- View from the courtyard to the prayer hall
- Columns and arches of the prayer hall
- Vault over the central nave of the prayer hall
- The minaret
References
External links
Media related to Tarikhaneh at Wikimedia Commons