Tarikhaneh, one of Iran’s oldest mosques

The Tarikhaneh Mosque is a Sassanid-era monument situated in central Iran, close to the city of Damghan.

This mosque can be said to be one of the ancient mosques of the Islamic period, known to preserve and uphold its Sassanid characteristics.

This structure was initially used as a Zoroastrian Fire Temple during the Sassanid period; however, after the fall of the Sassanid Empire, it was converted into a mosque in the 8th century. The monument is, thus, known as the oldest mosque in Iran.

The arcades of the monument are formed of fired brick arches, elliptical and sometimes slightly pointed.

Iran is preparing to put forward Tarikhaneh as a candidate for inclusion in the cultural heritage list of the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO).

Situated about 350 kilometers northeast of Tehran, the ancient city of Damghan was once a prosperous city on the Silk Road that connected China to West Asia and Europe.

MM/AG