Tarikhaneh

Coordinates: 36°9′51″N 54°21′15″E / 36.16417°N 54.35417°E / 36.16417; 54.35417
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Tarikhaneh Mosque
مسجد تاریخانه
Map
General information
TypeMosque
Architectural styleَEarly Islamic
LocationDamghan, Semnan Province, Iran
AddressMutahari St., Damghan
Coordinates36°9′51″N 54°21′15″E / 36.16417°N 54.35417°E / 36.16417; 54.35417
OwnerGovernment of Iran

The Tarikhaneh Mosque (Persian: مسجد تاریخانه; also variously rendered as Tarikhana Mosque or Tarikh Khana Mosque), located in the historical city of Damghan, Semnan province, Iran, is one of the oldest and most significant Islamic structures in the country, dating back approximately 900 years.[1] This mosque serves as a vital historical and architectural landmark, embodying the Khorasani style that emerged following the Islamic conquest and showcasing a blend of pre-Islamic and Islamic architectural elements.[2] As a symbol of Damghan's historical prominence along the Silk Road, the mosque reflects the city’s rich cultural heritage, which was influential during the Parthian era as the capital of the Arsacids.[3] Recognized for its intricate brickwork,[4] stucco decorations, and a central courtyard typical of Iranian mosque architecture, the Tarikhaneh Mosque highlights the craftsmanship and aesthetic achievements of its time. It has been nominated for recognition by the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), further emphasizing its importance in Islamic art and architecture. Scholars debate its exact construction date, with some suggesting origins as early as the 8th century CE, underscoring its historical relevance within the broader context of Islamic architecture in Iran.[5][6] Preservation efforts for the Tarikhaneh Mosque highlight its ongoing importance as a cultural heritage site, with various restoration initiatives undertaken to maintain its structural integrity and historical authenticity. Local authorities advocate for increased recognition of the mosque to promote tourism and cultural awareness, demonstrating a commitment to safeguarding this architectural treasure for future generations.[3]

Etymology

"Tarikhaneh" is derived from tari ("god") and khaneh ("home"), thus meaning "god's home".[7]

History

The chronology of the building's construction is not well-documented.[8] Scholarly discourse regarding the mosque's construction date has produced varied conclusions. Notably, historian Mohammad Karim Pirnia dates the original building's construction to around 150 AH (767-768 CE) based on architectural styles and historical context. Other sources suggest that while no definitive inscriptions exist to confirm its age, the mosque likely predates 200 AH (815-816 CE) due to its stylistic features.[2][6] Based on its very close similarities with earlier Sasanian architecture, it is likely from the first centuries of Islamic rule, possibly the 8th century.[9][10][11] Some scholars have suggested that its overall form and style corresponds more to the 9th century.[8] The mosque exemplifies the architectural transition during the Islamic period, influenced by the significant cultural and religious shifts that occurred following the advent of Islam in the Iranian plateau. The introduction of Islam initiated profound changes in the region's religious, cultural, and social life, transforming pre-Islamic practices that had been dominated by Zoroastrianism and other faiths.[12][4] Tarikhaneh Mosque's enduring legacy is not only rooted in its architectural merit but also in its representation of the historical convergence of cultures and religions in Iran, showcasing the rich tapestry of Islamic architecture's evolution in response to regional characteristics and historical contexts.[13]

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.[14] The pillars are 3.5 meters (11.5 feet) tall and almost 2 meters (6 feet) in diameter.[1] 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.[15] According to Pope, "It expresses dignity and confidence, but also humility."[1]

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.[16] The latter was built sometime in the years 1026 to 1028.[16][15][17] It resembles the style of later Seljuk minarets.[15] The minaret is 4.2 meters in diameter; its top has fallen, but originally must have measured more the 30 meters high, with a gallery supported on muqarnas corbels.[16] 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.[16]

Plan by André Godard
  • View from the courtyard to the prayer hall
    View from the courtyard to the prayer hall
  • Columns and arches of the prayer hall
    Columns and arches of the prayer hall
  • Vault over the central nave of the prayer hall
    Vault over the central nave of the prayer hall
  • The minaret
    The minaret

References

  1. ^ a b c Pope, Arthur Upham (1965). Persian Architecture. United States of America: Thames and Hudson. pp. 78–80, 89, 100.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  2. ^ a b "Iranian Architecture ✅ History & Types | Destination Iran". 2010-03-20. Retrieved 2025-01-06.
  3. ^ a b "Tarikhaneh Mosque: A Masterpiece of Iranian Ancient Architecture". EavarTravel. 2024-08-16. Retrieved 2025-01-06.
  4. ^ a b Montashery, Mehran (2019-01-01). "The Development of Bricks Ornamentation from the early Islamic Centuries to the End of Kharazmshahian Period in the Architecture of Mosques in Iran". International Journal of Architecture and Urban Development.
  5. ^ Hillenbrand, Robert (1994). Islamic Architecture: Form, Function and Meaning. Great Britain: Columbia University Press. pp. 34, 46, 77, 101–2, 487. ISBN 0-231-10132-5.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  6. ^ a b Azad, Mitra (2013-10-23). "Continuation of Sassanid Religious Architecture in Trikhaneh Mosque, Damghan". Soffeh. 23 (2): 85–104. ISSN 1683-870X.
  7. ^ Damghan Tarikhane Mosque. Tarikhaneh: Miras Semnan.
  8. ^ a b Blair, Sheila; Bloom, Jonathan M. (2011). "Iraq, Iran, and Egypt: the Abbasids". In Hattstein, Markus; Delius, Peter (eds.). Islam: Art and Architecture. h.f.ullmann. p. 110. ISBN 9783848003808.
  9. ^ M. Bloom, Jonathan; S. Blair, Sheila, eds. (2009). "Architecture; IV. c. 750–c. 900". The Grove Encyclopedia of Islamic Art and Architecture. Vol. 1. Oxford University Press. p. 82. ISBN 9780195309911.
  10. ^ Kuban, Doğan (1974). The Mosque and Its Early Development. Brill. p. 22. ISBN 978-90-04-03813-4.
  11. ^ Adle, Chahryar (2011) [1993]. "DĀMḠĀN". Encyclopaedia Iranica (Online). Retrieved 2023-08-03.
  12. ^ Studies, Iranian Journal Archaeological (2022-01-01). "Orientation Towards Qibla in Iranian Mosques: The Confrontation of Elements". Iranian Journal of Archaeological Studies (IJAS).
  13. ^ Emami, Farshid (2021-01-01). "Religious Architecture of Safavid Iran". The Religious Architecture of Islam, Volume I, eds. Hasan-Uddin Khan and Kathryn Blair Moore.
  14. ^ Goode, Patrick (2009). The Oxford Companion to Architecture. Oxford University Press. p. 467. ISBN 978-0-19-860568-3.
  15. ^ a b c O'Kane, Bernard (1995). Studies in Persian Art and Architecture. The American University in Cairo Press. pp. 207–210. ISBN 978-977-424-370-7.
  16. ^ a b c d Blair, Sheila (1991). The monumental inscriptions from early Islamic Iran and Transoxiana. Brill Academic Publishers. p. 96. ISBN 978-90-04-09367-6.
  17. ^ Hattstein, Markus; Delius, Peter, eds. (2011). Islam: Art and Architecture. h.f.ullmann. p. 110. ISBN 9783848003808.

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