Jame Mosque of Ardakan

The Jame Mosque of Ardakan is one of the most important historical and religious buildings in Yazd Province. It stands in the old quarter of Ardakan, in the Charkhab neighbourhood, next to the traditional bazaar. More than 500 years old, the mosque was built in the late Timurid and early Safavid periods and is regarded as one of the city's most distinctive historical monuments. The building was inscribed on the Iran National Heritage List on 3 Esfand 1377 under registration number 2239. Built of adobe (mud brick and clay), the Jame Mosque of Ardakan is a valuable example of desert architecture and of the Azari style. Because it lies at the centre of the historic quarter, it has always been one of the city's most important religious, cultural and social centres.

The mosque is a single-iwan mosque with a central courtyard. Its main parts are the domed chamber, a tall iwan, the eastern and western porticoes, the prayer hall (shabestan), the mihrab and the central courtyard. The mosque's wide dome, covering an area of about 64 square metres, is one of the building's most striking features and has been restored several times over the past few centuries to preserve its authenticity. The two-storey prayer hall, supported by six square pillars, gives the building its strength and provides a suitable space for religious ceremonies. The tiled mihrab, which includes pieces dating to the early Safavid period, together with marble, adds beauty to the mosque's interior. One of the building's most valuable features is its historic wooden door, made of hundreds of pieces of wood and fitted with metal knockers shaped like two dragon heads; it is considered a rare example of traditional Iranian woodworking. The Sahib al-Zaman Well, a stone known as the footprint of Imam Ali (peace be upon him), handwritten copies of the Quran and historic zilu rugs further add to the mosque's cultural and religious value.

The Jame Mosque of Ardakan is located on Imam Khomeini Street in the Charkhab neighbourhood, beside the city's traditional bazaar, and is easy to reach from different parts of Ardakan. The mosque is open to visitors every day from about half an hour before the time of prayer until half an hour after prayer ends, and entry is free for all visitors. The best time to visit is autumn, winter and early spring, when Ardakan's weather is more pleasant. We also suggest combining your visit to the mosque with a visit to Ardakan's traditional bazaar and historic bathhouse. While in the mosque, keeping quiet, dressing appropriately, respecting worshippers and avoiding any damage to the historic parts of the building will help preserve this valuable heritage for future generations.