The Blue Mosque in Yerevan stands as the only functioning Muslim house of worship in modern-day Armenia—a singular relic of Eastern architecture nestled within a predominantly Christian landscape. Over centuries, the mosque has faced periods of turmoil and near ruin, yet each time it has been lovingly restored, allowing visitors today to admire its vivid facade and tranquil gardens. For generations of Armenian Orthodox families, this sacred site has never felt foreign; to this day, local families stroll through the gardens with children, basking in its peace and beauty.
Occupying a spacious area of over 7,000 square meters, the mosque is more than just a place of prayer—it is a grand architectural ensemble. Alongside the main prayer hall, there are 28 pavilions, a madrasah offering courses in Persian, a library, and a 24-meter minaret that soars into the Yerevan sky. Although daily prayers are not held regularly, the mosque still serves as a vital spiritual center for the city’s Muslim community, who gather here for major religious observances.
Despite its secular orientation, the Blue Mosque adheres to the rhythms of Sharia in its public access schedule. Visitors are welcome from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., after which the mosque closes for midday prayer and cleaning. It reopens from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Special religious events may extend these hours, and such occasions are announced in advance.
Entering the inner halls without head coverings is strictly prohibited for both men and women. Volunteers provide free scarves and tubeteikas (traditional caps) to those without appropriate attire. Signage throughout the mosque guides visitors in observing Islamic customs—shoes must be removed before entering non-exhibition areas, though socks are mandatory to avoid entering barefoot.
This exquisite landmark emerged in 1765, during a period when Armenian lands were governed by the vast Persian Empire. At the time, Hussein Ali Khan ruled the province, and it was under his patronage that the mosque was commissioned. The khan’s intention was not to impose Islam upon the Armenian people but to present a gift—a sanctuary and garden where Muslims and Christians alike could find refuge and reflection.
This spirit of openness endured until the early 20th century, when World War I brought immense suffering to the region, culminating in the 1915 Armenian Genocide. Amid widespread unrest, Muslim homes and sites were targeted in retaliatory violence—even though Persian Muslims had no ties to the Ottoman Turks. The Blue Mosque narrowly escaped destruction thanks to the intervention of the famed poet Yeghishe Charents, who persuaded Soviet authorities to repurpose the mosque into a museum. Throughout the war, the building served as a weapons depot.
By then, the mosque had lost three of its four minarets. One remaining tower was sealed off for safety and preserved as a monument. In 1931, the Museum of History and Natural Sciences of Yerevan was inaugurated within the mosque’s walls, showcasing rare collections from leading Soviet archaeologists. Following World War II, the building was transformed into a planetarium, with the mosque’s grand dome serving as a celestial screen.
It wasn’t until the dissolution of the Soviet Union that serious discussion about restoring the mosque resumed. In the 1990s, neighboring Iran reminded Armenia of their shared heritage. The first major restoration was completed in 1997, though the structure remained in fragile condition—ornamentation crumbled, and some rooms had become unsafe.
That same period saw the return of limited prayer services, with Friday namaz observed primarily on holidays. In 2012, the dome’s reconstruction was finalized, sparking renewed collaboration with the Persian consulate. By December 2015, Armenia and Iran had signed a 99-year agreement granting stewardship of the mosque to the Iranian Embassy, transforming it into a vibrant cultural center. Several halls were designated for a library and classrooms teaching Eastern languages and Islamic culture.
While the mosque’s exterior dazzles with regal blues and intricate tilework, the interior exudes a contemplative modesty. The exhibition space features a modest collection: Persian calligraphy on precious parchment, glazed ceramics, and floral repoussé art on copper and brass. There are no souvenir stalls—museum curators emphasize the sanctity of the space. The library and its reading room remain freely accessible to the public.
The main prayer hall is more ornate. Beneath the grand dome hangs a golden chandelier, while rich red and green carpets blanket the floor. Arabic inscriptions of sacred texts adorn the walls and arches. The space is fully equipped for worship, with speakers along the walls and a microphone-equipped imam’s pulpit. Of special note are the colorful stained-glass windows, some of which have miraculously survived since the 19th century.
All museum-led tours are offered free of charge, conducted by women volunteers from the Iranian Embassy. While tipping is not required, donations are welcomed and contribute directly to the mosque’s ongoing restoration and the enrichment of its extraordinary Persian-language library.
Just beyond the mosque lies one of Yerevan’s liveliest destinations—the Central Market. This covered bazaar, constructed during Stalin’s era, is a striking monument to Soviet-era constructivist architecture. The nearby Pak Shuka market complex, once bustling with vendors, has since been converted into a modern supermarket.
The mosque’s lone surviving minaret is both a cultural treasure and a safety concern. Though no formal ban restricts climbing the 24-meter tower, visitors do so at their own peril—its low parapets offer little protection from a dangerous fall.
During the Soviet era, the mosque’s main entrance was adorned with a massive mural depicting the Russian imperial army’s liberation of Yerevan. However, when restoration began in 1997, the artwork was deemed politically inappropriate. Sponsors petitioned for the mural’s relocation to a new museum, and it was quietly removed. Since then, its whereabouts remain unknown.
