Taza Pir Mosque

Taza Pir Mosque is a 19th-century place of worship on Mirza Fatali Akhundov Street in central Baku, Azerbaijan, a short distance from Fountain Square. Known as the Taza Pir, it is among the older functioning mosques in the city and was restored after the Soviet period, when many religious buildings were closed or repurposed. The building is recognisable by its green-tinged dome and slender minarets, and its facade is decorated with detailed stonework, while the interior is decorated with traditional patterns. Visitors can admire the exterior at any time of day, and the interior is open depending on prayer times, so a mid-morning visit is recommended. A visit takes about 20 minutes. Entry is free. As an active mosque, appropriate dress is expected: shoulders and knees should be covered, women should bring a headscarf, and shoes are removed before entering the prayer hall. Visitors should keep their voices low and avoid entering during prayers, particularly the Friday midday service, when the mosque is full of worshippers. Photography of the exterior is generally acceptable, while photographs inside should be taken only with the permission of staff and with care for worshippers. The mosque is around ten minutes on foot from Fountain Square, or about five minutes by Bolt or Yango taxi, and it fits well into a walk linking the Old City, Nizami Street and the surrounding downtown streets. Crowds are light outside of prayer times, and the surroundings are residential and quiet, so the site can be enjoyed without a rush. The visit is short, so it pairs well with other nearby stops.