Friday Mosque of Herat

　　The Friday Mosque of Herat, commonly referred to by locals as the Jumah Mosque, is situated in Herat, the capital of Herat Province in northwestern Afghanistan. Built in the 14th century, the Friday Mosque is the largest mosque in Afghanistan and one of the largest in the world, covering an area of 46,000 square meters and capable of accommodating 80,000 worshippers at once.

　　The Friday Mosque of Herat was commissioned by Timur and construction began around 1404, completed in 1446. When Timur established the Timurid Empire centered in Central Asia, the city of Herat was one of the centers of Islamic culture and scholarship. The mosque has endured through centuries of change under various dynasties—the Timurid, Safavid, Mughal, and Uzbek eras. Although many of its glazed tiles have been replaced to varying degrees by later dynasties, the Friday Mosque ultimately took on its current overall appearance by the end of the 15th century—majestic and intricate, decorated predominantly in blue hues, with eight tall minarets.

　　More than eight hundred years later, the Friday Mosque of Herat remains the most beautiful Islamic building in Afghanistan and one of the greatest Islamic structures in Central Asia. The exterior of the mosque features artistically crafted mosaic work, with vibrant colors and exquisite details that pay homage to Allah. Many visitors prefer to enter from the park on the eastern side of the mosque, where they are greeted by the grand and colorful gateway of the Friday Mosque of Herat.

　　Friday Mosque of Herat Must-visit reason: The largest mosque in Afghanistan Continent: Asia Country/Region: Afghanistan Province/State: Herat Province City: Herat