The Azerbaijani city of Shusha, often referred to as the “Pearl of Karabakh,” the “Conservatory of the Caucasus,” and the “Temple of Caucasian Culture,” is rich in historical monuments. The city was originally divided into 17 districts, each housing a mosque, six caravanserais, mausoleums, madrasas, and other significant structures. Unfortunately, many of these sites were destroyed during the occupation by Armenian armed forces. One of the few remaining historical and religious monuments is the Upper Mosque of Govhar Agha, also known as the Friday Mosque.
The mosque boasts a rich history, having been constructed in several phases. Its foundation was laid in 1768 under the directive of Ibrahim Khan of Karabakh. However, the construction was halted for a period and was eventually completed in 1883 by the order of Ibrahim Khan’s daughter, Govhar Agha, with the assistance of architect Karbalayi Safikhan Karabakhly.
The architectural style of the mosque reflects the unique characteristics of the Karabakh region, with a thoughtful organization of its interior space. According to Azerbaijani Soviet architectural historian Eltyran Avalov, the Upper Mosque stands at the heart of the city’s historical core.
In November 2020, Shusha was returned to Azerbaijani control, allowing Azerbaijanis to pray in the mosque for the first time in 28 years. The mosque was visited by President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva, during which the President gifted a Quran brought from Mecca to the mosque.
Shusha had a significant number of mosques, which fluctuated over time. The first mosque was established by Panah Ali Khan, the founder of the fortress, during the construction of the settlement. The city was divided into neighborhoods, each featuring its own mosque. Regrettably, only a few of these structures remain today.
The Govhar Agha Mosque exhibits a typical organization of Karabakh mosques, characterized by stone columns dividing the space into two-story galleries and the use of a dome for the ceiling. In 1801, a school (mekteb) was established at the mosque.
The mosque was commissioned by Ibrahim Khalil Khan, the ruler of Karabakh, and constructed between 1763 and 1769. It was named after Govhar Agha, the daughter of Ibrahim Khalil Khan (1732-1806), who oversaw the final construction of the mosque.
During the Soviet era, the mosque was closed but was included in the list of state-protected historical monuments and repurposed as a museum.
The prayer hall of the mosque has a nearly square layout (19.0 x 18.5 m), with a balcony featuring three arches (14.5 x 5.0 m) attached to its northern side, giving the mosque a rectangular shape (26.5 x 21.5 m). Stairs lead to two minarets at the corners of the balcony and to the women’s section on either side of the prayer hall. The prayer hall is divided into aisles by six stone columns.
The Upper Mosque of Govhar Agha is a dominant feature of Shusha’s main square and serves as the cathedral mosque of the city. The main facade of the mosque bears an inscription in Arabic: “Indeed, Allah desires for His servants in need, who turn towards His Generosity. By the testament, a place in paradise is granted to Govhar Agha (the renovation of the mosque was completed) 1302/1884-1885.”
