Azerbaijan restores historic Giyasly Mosque, preserving its originality PHOTO

The historic Giyasly Mosque in the village of Giyasly, Aghdam district, has been meticulously restored while maintaining its original architectural style, the Heydar Aliyev Foundation announced.

According to Elvin Aslanov, a representative of the Foundation, archival materials were used during the restoration process, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

He recalled that President Ilham Aliyev visited the Giyasly Mosque during his trip to Aghdam on May 28, 2021.

It was emphasised that the Giyasly Mosque was one of the historical and religious monuments of Karabakh subjected to Armenian vandalism. During the occupation of the Aghdam district by Armenian armed forces, the mosque building suffered severe damage—its roof and domes were completely destroyed, and it was used as a cattle barn.

After the liberation of the Aghdam district from Armenian occupation in 2022, restoration of the Giyasly Mosque began. The restoration work was carried out by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation. To preserve the mosque’s original appearance, archival materials and video sources were used in the restoration project.

A spiral staircase preserved inside indicated the existence of two minarets on the southern side of the mosque. Accordingly, following tradition, the minarets were rebuilt on the southern side.

Using special equipment, the leaning stone columns were restored, stone arches and domes were rebuilt. Walls that had lost their original look with peeling plaster were repaired, and the mihrab, which was in poor condition, was restored. The facade stones were cleaned with special chemicals, and joints between old stones were cleared. Auxiliary buildings were constructed around the mosque.

By a resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan in 2001, the Giyasly Mosque was included in the list of immovable monuments of local historical and cultural significance.

Notably, on July 18, President Ilham Aliyev participated in the opening ceremony of the restored historic mosque building in the village of Giyasly, Aghdam district.

By Vugar Khalilov