Nestled near Lankaran, along the ancient route leading from Shemakha to Iran, lies the Khanega, a remarkably well-preserved Muslim religious structure on the banks of the Pirsagat River. This sacred site, concealed from travelers by a quadrilateral fortress wall adorned with semi-towers and arrow slits, is steeped in history. It is also notably linked to the legendary Shemakhan queen from the tale of “The Golden Rooster.”
The Khanega dates back to the 12th to 14th centuries, serving as a significant place of worship for Muslims. While many of its structures were added or modified in later periods, the core of the complex remains a testament to medieval architecture. The site includes various religious spaces, such as mosques and tombs for notable figures, alongside a caravanserai that once provided shelter for travelers.
One of the mosques within the Khanega is particularly renowned as the burial place of Pir-Hussein, dating back to the mid-13th century. The mosque’s mihrab is exquisitely adorned with Kufic inscriptions and colorful tiles, while its octagonal minaret stands as a stunning element of the complex.
The Khanega on the Pirsagat River is recognized for its exceptional medieval architecture, characterized by intricate stone carvings, ceramic decorations, and artistic stonework. Although the primary structures of the Khanega date back to the 12th to 14th centuries, renovations and expansions have continued into more recent times.
The breathtaking beauty of the Khanega once captivated even the fierce and ruthless Mongol invaders, who were known for their destruction of architectural marvels. Rather than demolishing the site, they returned the precious treasures they had plundered, and in 1318, the Golden Horde Khan Uzbek visited the Khanega, presenting lavish gifts, including gold ingots and valuable furs, in admiration of its grandeur.
The entire complex was fortified, consisting of four walls oriented to the cardinal directions, with slight deviations from the meridian. Within the western wall, there was a mosque with a tomb and other rooms; the northern wall housed rooms of unknown purpose; and a minaret was situated in the courtyard of the fortress. Stables were located outside the protective walls, alongside several smaller rooms in the southwestern and northern parts.
Today, only the mosque, the tomb of Pir-Hussein, and the minaret remain in good condition within the quadrilateral fortress walls. Beyond these walls, the ruins of the caravanserai, complete with stone hitching posts, can still be found.
Entrance to the mosque was through a space that once adjoined its eastern wall. The southern interior wall of the mosque is adorned with carved shabekeh, while the center features the mihrab, flanked by two ornately decorated panels. The mihrab itself retains fragments of glaze in its central inscription.
The tomb of Pir-Hussein is located in a chamber whose walls are decorated with polychrome ceramic tiles featuring lustrous paintings. The minaret, measuring 3×3 meters in cross-section and approximately 17 meters tall, is constructed of stone and features an internal spiral staircase.
Southeast of the fortress lies the stable, complete with accommodations for grooms. The defensive nature of the entire complex is evident in the arrow slits in the fortress walls and the tall corner towers.
A stone slab that once adorned the entrance of the Khanega is displayed in the Azerbaijan History Museum in Baku. This slab features the name of the architect, Sheikh Haji ibn Haji Muhammad Sheikhzadeh Habibullah, inscribed in Arabic script.
The Khanega is located near the village of Gubaly Baloglan in the Hajigabul District of Azerbaijan. Coordinates: 40°11′17″ N, 48°59′42″ E.
The religious and cultural complex of Khanega includes the mosque and the adjoining mausoleum of Pir-Hussein, along with its minaret, which was constructed in 1256. The mosque is built from well-hewn stone slabs and is topped with a spherical dome. Of particular artistic value is the mihrab, framed by elegant carvings in stone, Kufic inscriptions, and decorations made with multicolored tiles.
The minaret of the mosque features a slender octagonal shaft, at the very top of which there is a platform for the muezzin.
A small, dark passage connects the mosque to the mausoleum of Pir-Hussein, which is illuminated by a window set in one of its walls. The walls of the mausoleum, the tombstone at its center, and the arch of the passage were once adorned with magnificent ceramic tiling, featuring images of eight-pointed stars. The main decoration of the mausoleum of Pir-Hussein, of particular significance, is the tile frieze measuring 11 meters in length. The tiles of the frieze, covered in gold leaf, are painted in deep blue and greenish-turquoise tones. These tiles are regarded as some of the finest in the entire Middle East.
For centuries, this site has been revered as a sanctuary that houses the relics of a certain holy elder (Pir-Hussein). The authority of this sacred place has spread far beyond the borders of Shirvan.