#847 Hassan II Mosque, Casablanca, Morocco

The first modern mosque I ever visited in the world was this impressive one, with the waves of the Atlantic Ocean lapping underneath, in Casablanca, Morocco. It was my first real exposure to the modern interpretations of Islamic Architecture, which would become a passion, and a wonderful experience of the tranquility and peace inside mosques.

With doors large enough for the king to ride his horse through, the mosque is not intended to replicate older mosques that Morocco is also famous for, such as Le Tour Hassan in Rabat (#864), or the Kotoubia Mosque in Marrakech (#988), but to show Morocco's modern strength and piety, although many Moroccans do not consider the Hassan II mosque as sacred because infidels are allowed inside.

Next to the old medina in a spectacular location, it was at one time the world's 3rd largest religious monument with the world's highest minaret (210m). Finished in 1993 for the late king's 60th birthday, it required 10,000 craftsmen 5 years to finish. It was designed by a French architect, Michel Pinseau, and had the latest technology such as headed floors, electric doors and a sliding roof, although its traditional zellij mosaic tiles were painstakingly put in place one by one, an exemplar of Morocco's strong traditional artistry. Its cedar interior comes from the Middle Atlas mountains, its marble from Agadir, and its granite from Tafraoute, showcasing a strong Moroccan pride.

Source: Lonely Planet Morocco 6th Edition

#891 Nakchivan, Azerbaijan

Nakchivan is an isolated province of Azerbaijan, but central to its heart and heritage. The president Aliyev's homeland, it is cut off from the rest of Azerbaijan by the disuputed province of Nagorno-Karabakh, currently independent/controlled by Armenia. Historically connected to the silk road and ancient Central Asian Islamic heritage, it is full of beautiful cities with typical mosques, narrow cobbled streets and mud-brick architecture. Driving as far east as is possible, right on the borders with Armenia and Iran is a town called Ordubad, which used to be an important post on the traveller´s network of towns, but now is the end of the line, slowly decaying and falling into disrepair. It has many old mosques and a fascinating covered bridge.

Nearby is an old stone bridge at Culfa, signs of the ancient travel routes that went past here.

Yusif Ibn Khaysif Mausoleum in Nakchivan city.

Nakchivan city, however, has one of the most impressive monuments of the whole area, the Momine Khatum Mausoleum built in the 1100s by Jahan Pahlavan (an Atabeg) in memory of his wife. It is beautifully  decagonal with Kufic writing and beautiful turquoise geometrical tiles. Other more humble mausoleums are hidden down back streets, no less ornate but smaller and quietly mourning. I was most impressed by the ruins of the mud brick city on the edge of town, reminicent of Turkmenistan´s Merv (#999). Such a fortification must have been impressive but is now just piles of mud!

The small town of Karabaglar also hosts an amazing mausoleum, this time with petal-like protrusions. It´s accompanying minarets offer excellent views of the countryside.

Road to Shakhbaz in Nagorno-Karabakh, now a closed border.

Historical, majestic, mountainous, beautiful, but very under-visited.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Momine_Khatun_Mausoleum 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nakhchivan

#894 Sheikh Zayed Mosque, Abu Dhabi, UAE

Feast your eyes on this magnificent building! The Abu Dhabi mosque has only been completed very recently and is a beautiful religious monument in the standards of old. The size of 5 football fields, yet it is still only the 8th largest mosque in the world. It is spectacular in its artisanship, with materials and craftsmen coming from across the world as far away as New Zealand, Morocco, China and Germany. From afar it is a glittering magnificent white against the blue UAE skies, but upon closer examination, the white Italian marble has been carved into elegant flowers, and in other places such as the pillars, inlaid with semi-precious stones, also in the forms of flowers.

The glass in the windows is like crystal, and also carved into flowers -- as it is against Islamic traditions to portray any beast or person in their art. Stupendous chandeliers ornament each large dome with its star-shaped supports. Modern technology has not be forgotten with the smart international clocks in each room and the efficient air conditioning and lighting systems. An army of cleaners sweeps, mops, and shines each area as all the covered visitors wander through the vast spaces necks craned and cameras snapping in awe.

The late Sheikh initiated the building of this mosque, and his tomb also lies here. While the grandeur may seem excessive, it is a beauty!

 

 

 

 

 

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheikh_Zayed_Mosque