visitpars :The Jame Mosque of Tabriz, also known as Masjed Jom’a and Jame‘Kabiri, stands as one of Tabriz’s oldest monuments. Historical evidence, research findings, and accounts from old informants indicate that this mosque was constructed during the Seljuk era (11th and 12th centuries) and served as Masjed-e Jame from its early days.
Regrettably, a seismic event in 1779 led to the destruction of parts of the mosque, particularly some of its arches. Nevertheless, Hossein-Qoli Khan Donbali, a governor of Tabriz during the Qajarid era, undertook the renovation, transforming the mosque into its present form. Subsequent renovations were carried out by Haj Mohammad Baqer Kalkateh, who added a well-equipped library and a grand talar to the mosque for the benefit of students attending religious schools.
The mosque’s construction unfolded in several stages. Initially, there was a simple prayer room, which later evolved into a mosque with an ayvan (porch). In subsequent stages, the mosque transformed into a two-ayvan structure. Archaeologists suggest that the plan of the Sassanid palace in Firuz Abad influenced the design of the third phase of the mosque. The current layout features a square shape with two entrances in its northern and southern wings. Bricks and plaster constitute the primary construction materials used.