Main image: Sosialplus, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Getting There
The mausoleum is just 7km north of Ganja city centre and can be reached by local bus, taxi, or by walking.
What to Expect
One of the main religious monuments in Azerbaijan, the Imamzadeh Mausoleum is a complex consisting of several mosques and a shrine in the northeast suburbs of Ganja. The main tomb building features a delightful dome decorated with blue and green tilework and contains the grave of Ibrahim, son of the fifth Shiite Imam Muhammad al-Baqir, which is enclosed within a gilded zarih.
Meanwhile the large modern mosque that houses the ancient tomb imitates the medieval Arran school of architecture with its exquisite arches, tilework, domes and twin minarets. Today Azerbaijanis come to pray and seek solace amid the peaceful atmosphere. To look around you’ll need at least 30 minutes.
History
The site was originally just the grave of Ibrahim, an important personality within Shia Islam, but it grew over time into an important pilgrimage centre with mosques, a caravanserai, fortress walls and further gravestones. Its construction began in the 8th century with various layers and elements added over the following centuries. The complex has been restored several times during its long history, most recently between 2010 and 2016.
Facilities Available
- Public toilets
- Taxis
- Public transportation
- Guided tours
