Taza Pir Mosque
The Taza Pir Mosque is a Shia Islam mosque in central Baku, Azerbaijan, notable as one of the few mosques in the city that remained open — though under restrictions — throughout the Soviet era. Construction began in 1905 and was completed by 1914, financed and conceived by Nabat Khanum Ashurbeyova (Ashurbeyli), an Azeri female philanthropist, making it a rare example of a mosque built through female patronage in the early 20th century. The mosque continues to serve as an active place of worship and is a recognised architectural landmark of Baku’s late-imperial period.
At a glance
- Type
- Shia Islam mosque
- Period
- Construction 1905–1914
- Style
- Persian-influenced Islamic architecture
- Location
- Shamsi Badalbeyli Street, Baku, Azerbaijan
- Coordinates
- 40.3721° N, 49.8287° E
- Patron
- Nabat Khanum Ashurbeyova (Ashurbeyli), Azeri philanthropist
Overview
The Taza Pir Mosque — whose name translates roughly as “new saint” or “fresh shrine” — stands in the lower part of central Baku near the Old City (İçərişəhər). Its twin minarets and Persian-influenced stone facade distinguish it from Baku’s numerous smaller neighbourhood mosques, and it serves as one of the city’s principal Shia congregations. The mosque gained international attention in the 20th century as a site of continued religious observance under Soviet atheist governance.
History
The mosque was founded through the personal initiative and financial patronage of Nabat Khanum Ashurbeyova, a wealthy Azeri woman whose support for cultural and religious institutions in Baku spanned the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Construction began in 1905 amid the upheaval of the first Russian Revolution and was completed in 1914 on the eve of World War I. During the Soviet period the building was one of very few mosques permitted to function, albeit under close state surveillance, and it accordingly became the focal point of Shia religious life for Baku’s Muslim community. Since Azerbaijani independence in 1991, the mosque has undergone restoration works and expanded its community role.
What you see
The mosque features a compact main prayer hall surmounted by a dome, flanked by two elegant minarets that mark the skyline of the surrounding neighbourhood. The facade combines decorative stonework with Persian calligraphic panels. The interior is furnished in the traditional Shia manner, with separate sections for male and female worshippers and rich textile hangings. The courtyard provides a quiet space for ablutions and reflection in contrast to the busy streets outside.
Cultural significance
The Taza Pir Mosque holds a distinctive place in Azerbaijani cultural memory as a site of religious continuity through decades of Soviet suppression, and as a monument to the philanthropic role of women in the development of Baku’s civic fabric. The story of its founder, Nabat Khanum Ashurbeyova, is increasingly recognised as an important chapter in the history of female agency in the Muslim communities of the South Caucasus.
Practical information
- Address
- Shamsi Badalbeyli Street, Baku, Azerbaijan
- Hours
- Open daily for prayers; non-Muslim visitors are welcome outside prayer times — modest dress required
- Admission
- Free
Getting there
The mosque is within walking distance of Baku’s Old City (İçərişəhər) UNESCO World Heritage Site and several metro stations on the Baku Metro. İçərişəhər station is the closest, approximately 10–15 minutes on foot. The surrounding area is well served by city buses and taxis.