https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Plan_of_Todaiji.png)]]> Todai-ji Daibutsu-den Hall National Treasure 国宝東大寺大仏殿60.JPG (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Todai-ji_Daibutsu-den_Hall_National_Treasure_%E5%9B%BD%E5%AE%9D%E6%9D%B1%E5%A4%A7%E5%AF%BA%E5%A4%A7%E4%BB%8F%E6%AE%BF60.JPG)
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Image 3: Me]]> Statues: 8.4 meters in height, wood. ]]> The Masjid-i Jameh in Isfahan exists as a large congregational mosque which developed through various architectural stages to create its current design with four monumental iwans surrounding a central courtyard and extensive domed prayer halls that show the expansion of time. The structure uses brick as its fundamental material while decorative elements made from stucco and glazed tile and carved stone create intricate geometric patterns and pointed arches and muqarnas vaulting throughout the building. The building connects its domed rooms to the outdoor courtyard through pathways which show the transition between Seljuk brickwork and Safavid decorative elements. The mosque served as Isfahan's central prayer area which united religious activities with educational functions and community representation throughout history. The mosque shows how Islamic architecture in Iran developed through time by uniting original spatial designs with advanced decorative elements. The building exists as a historical architectural record which displays Iran's Islamic and dynastic past through its architectural design and materials.]]> Architects and builders unknown]]> Major reconstructions: Seljuk (11th–12th c.), Ilkhanid, Timurid, Safavid]]> Image 2: Creative Commons
Image 3: Creative Commons
Image 4: Creative Commons
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Image 6: Creative Commons]]> stucco
glazed tile
carved stone]]> Longitude: 51.6838 E]]> The Central Cathedral Mosque of Dushanbe features a large national mosque complex with its central dome and tall minarets, and spacious courtyard design, which leads visitors from the surrounding urban district to the ceremonial space. The mosque exterior features marble walls and decorative tile patterns, and pointed arches, which unite contemporary building methods with Islamic architectural traditions. The prayer hall inside the mosque features a large domed space that receives light from big windows and decorative lighting to create an expansive atmosphere of civic importance. The mosque received state funding during the 21st century to become a symbol of Islamic revival in post-Soviet Tajikistan while showcasing traditional architectural elements and contemporary monumental design. The mosque design unites Islamic heritage with modern urban design elements to establish itself as the main religious site in Dushanbe]]> Patron: Government of Tajikistan and State Committee on Religion
(also supported by Qatar funding)]]> Completed: 2020]]> Image 2: Umut Acar]]> ]]> Marble cladding
Stone
Decorative tile]]> Longitude: 68.7765 E]]> The Haji Yakoub Mosque in Dushanbe features a modern mosque complex, which includes a central prayer hall with pointed arched windows and a prominent dome and tall minarets that create its distinctive urban shape. The building exterior features stone walls with decorative tile elements and its entrance section presents a symmetrical design through its arched doors and geometric pattern repetition. The main prayer area beneath the dome receives direct access from the interior paths, which allow natural light to highlight the elevated design of the space. The mosque built in recent times uses traditional Islamic architectural elements, including arches and domes and calligraphy, and patterned ornamentation to display religious heritage and national pride in contemporary Tajikistan. The design unites modern urban growth with the Islamic heritage of the region through its use of traditional elements to create new religious spaces in the capital city.]]> Patron: Local Islamic community of Dushanb]]> Image 2: Creative Commons
Image 3: Creative Commons
Image 4: Creative Commons]]> Brick
Reinforced concrete
Decorative tile]]> Longitude: 68.7738 E]]> The Great Mosque of Herat consists of a four-iwan courtyard design which uses brick construction and blue and turquoise glazed tiles to create star patterns and calligraphic and arabesque designs on its exterior walls. The northern iwan leads visitors to the open courtyard which leads to prayer halls with vaulted roofs and domed chambers that experience changing light effects between outdoor brightness and indoor dimness. The mosque serves religious purposes through mathematical ornamentation which directs worshippers to prayer areas while displaying political and cultural power through its large tile decorations. The mosque maintains its status as a living heritage site through its traditional color scheme and geometric designs which were restored during the twentieth century.]]> Image 2: Creative Commons

]]> Longitude: 62.2040 E]]> The Blue Mosque serves as Afghanistan's vital Islamic monument and stands as a prominent Timurid architectural feature throughout Central Asia. The mosque features thousands of blue tiles which create geometric and floral designs that represent Islamic artistic traditions of heaven and divine unity and paradise. The main courtyard of the mosque features pointed iwans and elevated arched entrances which display calligraphic writing and star-shaped tiles that repeat throughout the design. The geometric designs achieve harmony through their symmetrical arrangement and their repetitive patterns which follow mathematical rules. The building's lapis-blue glaze extends from local stone practices to establish its sacred position within Mazar-i-Sharif city. The site underwent multiple restoration phases to preserve its Timurid artistic heritage while maintaining its status as a sacred pilgrimage destination for Afghan people.]]> Major reconstruction: 20th centur]]> ]]> Longitude: 67.1164 E
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