Gishtliq mosque

Gʻishtli mosque — considered a neighborhood mosque located in the city of Kokand. A 20th‑century example of Fergana architecture, one of the youngest mosques in the city. The summer part of the mosque has distinctive ceiling and entrance decorations. It is an architectural monument in Kokand (early 20th century). The mosque consists of a prayer hall and a courtyard, built by local craftsmen from baked brick. The courtyard ceiling is decorated with Islamic patterns, with a predominance of red and green colors in the ornamentation. The upper parts of the 12 wooden columns arranged in two rows are adorned with unique patterns of various shapes.

City structure

Since the 20th century Kokand has been known under various names as an important trade point on the Great Silk Road, but the city’s most flourishing period corresponds to the 18th century, when it became the capital of the Kokand khanate. Kokand has preserved its antiquity and today consists of two parts, the new and the old. In the new part, in the 19th century, trade enterprises, administrative buildings, banks, and industrial structures were built, while in the old part the Orda palace, residential architecture monuments, mosques, madrasas and other various monument buildings were erected. Almost all the buildings constructed at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century have been preserved to the present day. Gʻishtlik mosque was considered one of Kokand’s notable places in the early 20th century.

Mosque description

In the early 20th century local craftsmen built a mosque of baked brick called “Gʻishtlik” or “Gʻisht” for the residents of their area — the people of Guzor. The mosque is an asymmetrical building, with an open courtyard on its eastern side and a hall of equal size (7.8 × 18.4 m) built on its courtyard.

The entrance part of the mosque — called the vestibule — consists of the harmonious integration of all buildings in terms of construction and decorations. The vestibule itself is composed of three parts, and four high domes and six‑sided lamps serve to illuminate the entrance. The vestibule decoration consists of large geometric patterns drawn in mosaic style, combined with delicate and small ornaments in the style of mayolica. The patterns used to decorate the vestibule recall the Fergana fabrics — the Khan atlas.

Interior of the mosque

The interior of the mosque consists of two parts: the winter and the summer sections. In the winter part, as well as in the western part of the courtyard, there are mihrabs. The floor of the summer part is flat, surrounded by two rows of twelve‑sided columns. The mosque design shows the influence of Russian engineers in part. In addition, the decorative ornaments of the mosque also have special significance.