The Tillya Sheikh Mosque stands as a beacon of Islamic tradition and a symbol of the Tashkent’s historical grandeur. Once the principal mosque for Friday prayers, this magnificent structure was commissioned in 1857 by one of the city’s wealthiest merchants, a devout Muslim. The name ‘Tillya Sheikh’ translates to ‘Golden Sheikh Mosque,’ a title that befits its stature as one of the largest mosques in Tashkent to this day.
The mosque’s rectangular edifice is flanked by two towering minarets, which historically served as guiding beacons for merchant caravans. These minarets, accessible by spiraling staircases, are traditionally used by imams to call the faithful to prayer. Adorning the minarets are domes glazed in a striking shade of blue, while the mosque’s walls boast intricate mosaic patterns.
The main prayer hall, referred to as the winter room, is carpeted and reserved for barefoot entry only. At the heart of the mosque is a beautifully carved wooden pulpit from which the imam leads prayers. Adjacent to the pulpit is the mihrab, an ornately designed niche that indicates the direction of Mecca, towards which worshippers face during prayers. The mosque’s ceilings are exquisitely painted, and its windows are decorated with pandjara—a delicate lattice made from a mixture of plaster and clay. Photography within this sacred space is respectfully prohibited.
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