Richard And Jo Demeester's photos with the keyword: mosque

A seemingly bored security guard picked us up at various points as we wandered through the mosque. He indicated areas we may have missed, and pointed out things that may have needed a guide. He invited us to go up to the pulpit to view. We got some tea, juice, water, and snacks. A pleasant visit to this 10,000 capacity building.

Hundreds of wooden pillars in the cool dark interior of this Khiva mosque create a calming and reflective mood. Some of the columns have come from the earliest mosque on this site, making them over 1000 years old.

Taken from in the grounds of the Kalon Mosque, Bukhara. The Kalon Minaret, a beautiful 12th century tower, is clearly visible, and to the left is one dome from Mir-i-Arab Madrasa.

Certainly much humbler in size, the nearby Hazrat-Hizr Mosque in Samarkand presents an extremely colourful ceiling.

When built, in the 14th century, it was possibly the largest mosque in the world. Can you see Jo in the foreground? It is not possible to go inside, with the main dome still unrepaired after a 19th century earthquake. Peering through the doors and windows, giant cracks in the walls and ceiling make the structure look very vulnerable. Outside, though, that sense is lost, and the colossal facade is humbling. The historians, though, record that the building was done so quickly, and the engineering was stretching the limits so much, that cracks started appearing even before the works were complete. It's no wonder, then, that some movements in tectonic plates might cause the whole endeavour to appear precarious.

Inside the Hazrati Imom Friday Mosque. A recent construction, yet soon to be superseded by a shadowing construction almost next door. Inside was nice to visit, not so typically decorated with unusual colours and straying from the typical patterns. Outside, beautiful green marble and wooden features gave it a more traditional look.

A couple of men have chosen sunny spots to study.

The Hazrat Sultan Mosque was the main mosque for Astana until this year, when a new mosque was inaugurated. We visited at a quiet time, when only a handful of others were inside.

The glass at the entrance is a twentieth century addition to protect the cave, but other than that it is just a natural cave which has been enlarged and shaped. Inside, no man made items exist other than a few beautiful hand made carpets.

The age of these requests are unknown, scratched in to the walls of Shokpak Ata cave mosque.

Shokpak Ata is a cave mosque, where a Sufi monk lived and taught over 1000 years ago. Shokpak was the name given to him because of his legendary ability to create fire by snapping his fingers. Shokpak is the local word for the sound of two rocks striking a spark.

Mymensingh.

The mosque and hamam (bath house) of Safranbolu, with some examples of Ottoman period houses. Here, those houses are generally restored and in fine condition, although there are exceptions, and a handful are in quite the state of disrepair.

The Mevlid-i Halil mosque in the area known as Dergah dominates in the foreground. Looking over the pleasant older areas of Şanlıurfa. Next to the mosque is the cave where it is believed that Abraham (or İbrahim) was born. Job also spent time here.

Abandoned and in disrepair, the mosque near the centre of Agdam is one of the few buildings to retain its form and whose original function is discernible. It is still possible to access the roof and to climb the minarets. The street was a main road, but is slowly giving in to the encroachment of trees and shrubs.

From the roof of the abandoned mosque in Agdam, looking towards some of the remains of the buildings that were once part of the centre of town.

Built in 1490. Part of the historical site of Gaud (Sona Masjid).

15th century mosque, called the "temple of 60 domes", but it actually has 77. Wondering who named it...