Juma Mosque, Baku

Juma Mosque was completed in 1899 with financing from philanthropist Haji Shikhlali Dadashov. The present building, however, stands on a site with a much older religious history. An earlier mosque, known as the Jame Mosque, had stood here since the 12th century. Its architecture reflected Seljuk-period traditions, while later alterations added further layers to the complex. An inscription records that the mosque was restored in 1309, and a minaret with a balcony was added to its northern wall in 1437.

Its main structure has a polygonal plan, while the dome rests on four central columns. The exterior combines carved stonework with decorative wooden elements, and the tall entrance door is richly ornamented. The slender 15th-century minaret provides an elegant vertical accent and stands out clearly above the surrounding buildings of the Old City.

Inside, the atmosphere is much more intimate. The prayer hall is decorated in soft pastel tones, with tiled columns and Arabic verses from the Quran inscribed on the walls. The mihrab, set into the wall facing Mecca, forms the visual and religious focus of the interior. During the Soviet period, the mosque ceased functioning as a place of worship and housed the Azerbaijan Carpet Museum from 1972 to 1992. It later resumed its religious role after the collapse of the Soviet Union.

A major restoration was carried out in 2008, while the 15th-century minaret underwent further conservation work in 2016. Damaged masonry, the balcony, and parts of the minaret dome were carefully repaired to preserve the historic appearance of the monument.