Ancient mosque in NW Iran turned to tourist attraction
According to the deputy head of Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Department in East Azarbaijan, the Jame’ Mosque in Marand, with its 700-year history and cultural value, has undergone a transformation from a religious site to a prominent tourist attraction.
Vahid Navadad, in an interview with IRNA, expressed their plan to separate the central section of the mosque from the rest, highlighting its touristic appeal after completing the restoration of its main and central parts.
The main objective of the provincial department is to safeguard the mosque from potential damage while enhancing its focus on tourism, enabling visitors to easily explore this remarkable historical site at any time of the day.
Navadad reminded that the restoration of the mosque had been underway for several years, emphasizing its prioritization among cultural heritage restoration projects. They are determined to finish the restoration and renovation by the year’s end.
Utilizing modern preservation techniques, the historical mosque is being restored and renovated based on references from historical images, enabling a comprehensive reconstruction process that reflects different historical periods.
Navadad highlighted the Blue Mosque of Tabriz as a prime example of this restoration approach. Despite the destruction caused by the 1780 earthquake and the absence of a dome in historical images, the various reconstruction efforts successfully incorporated a dome into the original structure.
Navadad also mentioned the preservation and maintenance of the mosque’s main entrance door. This intricately crafted door, adorned with verses from the Qur’an and composed of several stone pieces, will be relocated to the central area after the restoration operations are completed.
The mosque’s 700-year history is considered a cherished heritage for Azerbaijan and Iran, with its architectural and religious significance traced back to the Seljuk and Ilkhanid periods.
The provincial department’s primary objective is to comprehensively address the current condition and preservation of historical artifacts and structures through restoration and reconstruction efforts.
Navadad explained that previously, fire-resistant bricks were used in certain sections of the mosque’s restoration. However, those bricks have been removed to reveal the original structure of the walls and ceiling, ensuring authenticity and historical accuracy.