Afin Jame Mosque

The Afin Jame Mosque is one of the valuable historical buildings of Afin village in Zirkuh County, South Khorasan Province, and is regarded as one of the most important relics of Islamic architecture in the region. The mosque lies about 76 kilometers southeast of Qaen, and thanks to its architectural features and artistic decoration, it holds a special place among the historical monuments of South Khorasan. According to researchers, the present building was constructed in the Timurid period, modeled on the Jame Mosque of Qaen, although some studies suggest that the roots of the original structure may go back to the 3rd and 4th centuries AH (lunar Hijri). The Afin Jame Mosque was registered on the Iran National Heritage List on 17 Azar 1377 (8 December 1998) under registration number 2182.

One of the distinguishing features of the Afin Jame Mosque is its single-iwan layout, a style that is seen less often than the four-iwan mosques common in many periods of Islamic architecture. The complex has a relatively spacious central courtyard, on three sides of which stand alcoves set at a different level from the courtyard floor. The tall qibla iwan is built between two porticoes, or prayer halls, and on either side of it stand the remains of minarets with cylindrical bases and octagonal upper sections. Spiral staircases inside the minarets once provided access to the upper levels. Three square domed rooms at the rear of the iwan are another distinctive feature of the building. The mosque was built with stone, brick, gypsum plaster and sand, and stucco decoration, Thuluth-script inscriptions, geometric patterns, arabesque designs and delicate floral motifs give its various parts a special artistic charm. The mihrab and the remains of a brick minbar are also notable parts of the mosque. The building has suffered considerable damage from earthquakes and the passage of time, and since the 1360s SH (1980s) efforts have been made to restore and stabilize it; even so, parts of the original structure still remain as historical ruins.

To visit the Afin Jame Mosque, take the roads from Qaen County toward the southeast and, once you reach Afin village, continue to the site of the historical building. Given the region's relatively dry climate, spring and autumn, with their milder weather, are the better seasons for visiting and exploring the village and its surroundings. Besides seeing the remains of the iwan, the minarets and the mosque's architectural decoration, visitors can learn about the history and construction methods of religious buildings in Khorasan. Because parts of the mosque are damaged and fragile, you should take seriously the need to avoid entering unstable areas, climbing the walls, tampering with the bricks and decorations, and leaving litter on the site, so as to prevent further damage to this historical heritage.