top of page
FROM ARCHITECTURAL HISTORY
Memar Ajami's work exemplifies a renaissance in Azerbaijani culture and public opinion during the 12th century. The sophistication of his structures, the intricate architectural divisions, and the playful ornamentation reflect an artistic vision that defies medieval conventions. His ornamental designs seamlessly blend artistic and mathematical concepts.
Ajami ibn Abu Bakr Nakhchivani was 12th and 13th-century renowned architect from Azerbaijan who established the Nakhchivan School of Architecture. He revolutionised medieval Azerbaijani architecture with his artistic vision, introducing delicacy and dynamism to the heavy, stern style of the Seljuk period. His impact extended beyond Azerbaijan, also influencing Middle Eastern architecture. Recognised for his “intelligens”, he was honoured as the “chief of engineers” by esteemed figures in the East.
Genius of Medieval
Architecture
Ajami Nakhchivani
Ajami's creativity was intertwined with Nakhchivan city, the bustling capital of Azerbaijan's Atabeg (Atabaylar) state during the 12th century. His first known monument is the Yusif ibn Kuseyir Mausoleum (1162), followed by the iconic Momine Khatun Mausoleum (1186), one of the tallest and most elegantly composed tombs in Azerbaijan and the Islamic world. Dedicated to Momine Khatun, the wife of Atabeg Shamsaddin Eldaniz, this mausoleum symbolises the great respect for, and adoration of, women in medieval Azerbaijan. He also designed a large architectural complex in the region, which included a palace, the Juma Mosque, madrasas, and caravanserais.
Ajami influenced significantly the architectural styles of Azerbaijan and other Middle Eastern countries. His traditions are evident in the Se Gunbad Tomb (1184) on the shores of Lake Urmia, the Blue Dome in Maragha (1196), the Gulustan Tomb near Nakhchivan city (13th century), the Karabakhlar Tomb (12th-14th centuries), the Malik Ajdar Tomb in Jijimli village (13th century), and the Barda and Salmas Tombs (14th century), as well as in the tombs created by the Turkish architect Sinan (16th century) in Istanbul.
In 2024-2025, as part of UNESCO’s jubilee programme, the 900th anniversary of Ajami Nakhchivani will be celebrated at the Organisation’s headquarters.
The inscription on the Momine Khatun Mausoleum reflects Ajami's philosophy:
“We will leave. The world will remain forever.
We will depart; the world will stay.
We will die – this will remain as our memory.”
bottom of page