Blue Mosque (Shrine of Ali)
description: The Blue Mosque serves as Afghanistan's vital Islamic monument and stands as a prominent Timurid architectural feature throughout Central Asia. The mosque features thousands of blue tiles which create geometric and floral designs that represent Islamic artistic traditions of heaven and divine unity and paradise. The main courtyard of the mosque features pointed iwans and elevated arched entrances which display calligraphic writing and star-shaped tiles that repeat throughout the design. The geometric designs achieve harmony through their symmetrical arrangement and their repetitive patterns which follow mathematical rules. The building's lapis-blue glaze extends from local stone practices to establish its sacred position within Mazar-i-Sharif city. The site underwent multiple restoration phases to preserve its Timurid artistic heritage while maintaining its status as a sacred pilgrimage destination for Afghan people.
creator: Original patron: Timurid dynasty
creator: Architect/Builder: Unknown
source: Image 1: https://mosqpedia.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/UHHp2ZzbkRe8xahZ88VkBI3vO1arFBkzBRGdKDWl.jpeg
source: Image 2: https://mosqpedia.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/WUVO5mXMXBrbOP24V9Hxs2j2eLj52mkxgHUoDzP2.jpeg
source: Image 3: https://mosqpedia.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/oil0llntozkaU3IrOXjpsleV9ABWPTWAabuSo00X.jpeg
source: Image 4: https://mosqpedia.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/PmumD50Hbh43XMII1yjGeJdIEUIKakJV3m06Ubzp.jpeg
date: Begun: 15th century (Timurid period) Major reconstruction: 20th centur
contributor: Mursal Abdullah
language: Mazar-e-Sharif, Afghanistan
type: Religious
coverage: N/A