In the heart of the city, near the central park, stands one of the oldest mosques in Guba—the Juma Mosque, also known as the Friday Mosque. Constructed at the very beginning of the 19th century, this architectural gem is a testament to the rich cultural and religious heritage of Azerbaijan. Locally referred to as the Jame Mosque, it was built in 1802 with the financial support of Gazi Ismail Efendi, showcasing an opulent architectural style and crafted from red brick.
The design of this sacred structure is unique to the mosques of the Guba province. Its exterior resembles a faceted cylinder, taking the form of a perfect octagon. Inside, the mosque features a single grand hall crowned by a massive dome, measuring an impressive 16 meters in diameter. The construction of the Juma Mosque in Guba set a precedent, inspiring the creation of similar mosques across other regions of Azerbaijan.
The Juma Mosque is not only one of the oldest religious centers in Guba but also in the entire northeastern region of Azerbaijan. The mosque and its adjacent madrasa (Islamic school) remained active until 1924. However, during the Soviet era, its operations were banned, and in 1933, both the madrasa and the minaret were destroyed. Following Azerbaijan’s independence, a new 50-meter-high minaret was erected in the 1990s with the support of Turkey’s Directorate of Religious Affairs, restoring the mosque to its former glory.
Among the four mosques of Old Guba, the Juma Mosque stands out as the most distinct. The others, dating back to the district era, are equally unique compared to mosques in other cities yet share a striking resemblance to one another. For instance, the Ardebil Mosque, located on Fatih Khan Street, was reconstructed in its current form in 1895. It was originally established in a neighborhood where Fatih Khan resettled 40 families from Ardebil.
Another notable mosque in Guba is the Haji Jafar Mosque, built in 1905 on Ardebil Street. While it is considered the most beautiful mosque in the city, it does not carry a particularly remarkable historical narrative. Instead, it is named after its founder, Haji Jafar, a local merchant who funded its construction.
One of the most distinctive features of the Sakina Khanum Mosque, built in the 19th century, lies in its name, which honors a woman. This remarkable structure was constructed between 1840 and 1854 by Sakina Khanum, the wife of Abbasgulu Aga Bakikhanov, as a tribute to her late husband.
The mosque captivates with its monumental presence. Standing at 27 meters tall, this nine-domed mosque is crafted from fired red brick and resembles a faceted cylinder. Each of its walls features a window in the shape of a semicircular arch, contributing to the building’s elegant design. The upper part of the facade is adorned with a unique cornice made from small bricks, enhancing its architectural beauty. Crowned by a large white metal dome that resembles a helmet, the mosque is further embellished with numerous facets. At the pinnacle of the dome, a delicate spire adds a touch of grace to the overall structure.
Remarkably, it is said that the mosque was constructed without the use of cement; instead, chicken eggs were utilized as a binding agent, showcasing the innovative methods employed by its builders.
During the Soviet era, the mosque was repurposed as a warehouse and sewing workshop, leading to a period of neglect. However, in 1993, the Sakina Khanum Mosque underwent restoration and was reestablished as a place of worship, allowing it to reclaim its original purpose as a religious institution.
Here is the mosque in Zeyd village of Quba district:
Mosque in Birinji Nugadi village and municipality in the Quba district of Azerbaijan. The mosque was built by villagers in the early 19th century. It is built of raw bricks, and the minaret of red bricks. The 15 m high minaret was built about 10-13 years before the current mosque (the original mosque was deemed to small and was demolished).
Qryz Mosque, Quba district
