"Baland" Mosque

Baland Mosque is a neighborhood (guzar) mosque located in the city of Bukhara and dates back to the 16th century. The building has a square plan and was constructed of baked brick with thick walls. The mosque stands on a solid stone foundation.

The northern and eastern sides of the mosque are surrounded by an iwan with a richly decorated painted ceiling. The lower sections of the interior walls are covered with beautiful decorative panels. On the eastern side, dark green wall panels are adorned with hexagonal blue ceramic tiles. Delicate floral motifs were painted around the tiles and highlighted with gold leaf, many of which remain well preserved.

The decorative panels on the western wall are faced with glazed ceramic tiles and framed with ornaments executed in the kundal technique. The window screens are constructed from ceramic bricks. The mihrab is richly decorated with glazed ceramics covered with gold detailing. Rectangular ceramic tiles bearing inscriptions in the Thuluth script decorate its sides and upper section.

Above these inscriptions, closer to the ceiling, are finely crafted muqarnas elements, also enhanced with gilding. The wall paintings, except those on the southern wall, still retain much of their original brilliance. The mosque’s ceiling features a coffered structure with ornamental recesses and is richly decorated with intricate patterns.

The construction of Baland Mosque demonstrates the extensive use of refined and unique techniques of classical Islamic architecture. Architects of later periods often copied its decorative motifs as models of excellence. Over time, some of the gilding has worn away, and parts of the ornamentation have darkened and faded. The mosque has undergone restoration several times throughout its history.