Shusha: The Yukhari Govhar Agha Mosque, also referred to as the Shusha Friday Mosque, stands as the oldest among the seventeen mosques in the ancient city of Shusha, and is recognized as a renowned architectural treasure of national importance.

According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, the mosque’s origins trace back to the initiative of Panahali Khan, who built it alongside the Karabakh Khan’s palace. With the rise of Ibrahimkhalil Khan in 1768-1769, a new stone mosque with two minarets was erected to replace the original structure. In 1883-1884, a double-minaret mosque was built on the same site, funded by Ibrahimkhalil Khan’s daughter, the Azerbaijani poetess and philanthropist Govhar Agha Javanshir, leading to its association with her name.

The 19th-century structure was designed by the renowned architect Kerbalayi Safikhan Garabaghi, who contributed significantly to Garabagh’s architectural landscape. The mosque’s minaret ornaments and interior circular drawings were crafted by Mir Mohsun Navvab Garabaghi, a poet, artist, and calligrapher residing in Shusha.

Following Shusha’s liberation from occupation, the Yukhari Govhar Agha Mosque underwent restoration. Today, it remains a popular destination for both local and international visitors to Shusha.