All About the Blue Mosque in Yerevan, Armenia

Yerevan’s Blue Mosque is one of the most beautiful sights in the city. If you are traveling through Yerevan, don’t miss the Blue Mosque! Here is everything you need to know about visiting.

Monica in front of the Blue Mosque in Yerevan, Armenia. — The tilework on this mosque is so impressive! @thisrareearth

Yerevan’s Blue Mosque is one of the most popular (and most beautiful) sights in the city, and one of the best places to visit in Yerevan. It was constructed in the 18th century, when the Persian empire ruled over Armenia, and thus is constructed similar to what you might see in Iran.

This historic mosque in Yerevan is called the “Blue Mosque” due to all of the vibrant blue tiling that you see on the facades.

If you’ve been here for a while, then you know I’ve traveled within the Middle Eastern countries quite a bit. I’ve been lucky to explore countless mosques and appreciate the beautiful architecture. In fact, I’ve recently covered the Sheik Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi – check it out!

But what made the Blue Mosque immediately different was the interior. It is modeled after Persian mosques, and follows the traditions of the Twelver Shiite branch of Islam. This means that the beliefs and the prayer rituals are a bit different than what you see in the larger Muslim world.

The Blue Mosque in Yerevan includes a theological school, an inner courtyard covered in greenery, a small exhibition gallery, and meeting halls. Presently, this is the only remaining mosque in all of Armenia. We’ll dive into that more below.

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Monica exploring the Blue Mosque in Yerevan, Armenia. — *Exploring the mosque.* @thisrareearth

Table of Contents

The History of the Blue Mosque in Yerevan

The Blue Mosque’s construction was ordered by the Persian governor Hussein Ali Khan in 1760. At the time, Yerevan was a small town in Armenia, home to around 20,000 people.

The mosque was completed between 1764 to 1768 and was then opened to the public for prayer and gathering. Several decades later, Yerevan fell under the Russian Empire’s rule and most of the city’s mosques were either demolished or abandoned.

While the Blue Mosque remained intact, it did not remain a place for prayer under the Soviet Union. Rather, the Blue Mosque became an exhibition hall titled the Museum of The City of Yerevan.

Out of more than 10 mosques that once existed in Yerevan, the Blue Mosque was the only one to survive the Soviet rule, due to its status as a Museum.

After the Soviet Union collapsed, Iran funded the restoration effort to bring this mosque back to its original glory. Once completed in 1999, religious services resumed and Yerevan’s Blue Mosque opened to visitors, as well. Presently, Yerevan’s Blue Mosque is being considered to become a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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Are There Muslims in Armenia Today?

Yes, although not many. Reportedly, there are only 800 Muslims in Armenia today, in a population of 3 million people. Due to the history mentioned above, the Muslim population diminished. Those who live in Armenia have largely come from neighboring Iran and Turkey.

How to Visit the Blue Mosque in Yerevan

Tourists can visit the Blue Mosque either independently or on a tour. I walked to the mosque from my guesthouse and found it super easy to navigate solo.

If you choose to visit on your own, the mosque can be found here:

The Mosque is so peaceful compared to the bustling city outside. The inner courtyard has benches between the flowers and trees and you can really spend some time here and take in the beauty. On weekdays, there is an exhibit room full of photos of Old Yerevan.

Visitors can explore the various rooms and exhibitions, and if you’re in town long enough, can partake in free Farsi classes offered at the mosque.

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Yerevan’s Blue Mosque Opening Hours

The Blue Mosque is open daily within the following time frames:

Morning: 10am-1pm
Afternoon: 3pm-6pm

The Blue Mosque Prayer times happen daily at the following times:

Visiting the Blue Mosque: The Basics

There is no entrance fee for the Blue Mosque in Yerevan.
Be sure to dress conservatively. For females, this means covering shoulders and legs. I highly recommend carrying a scarf, as I always do. You should cover your head if you enter the inside of the mosque.
During prayer times, non-Muslims will not be allowed entry. Otherwise, anyone can visit, regardless of religion.
Definitely bring your camera! This site is absolutely beautiful and you are going to want photos, for sure.