President Ilham Aliyev allocated one million manats for the restoration of a 12th century masterpiece

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed an order "On measures for the restoration and conservation of the world-significant historical and architectural monument of the Momine Khatun Mausoleum in the city of Nakhchivan".

This was reported by BAKU.WS with reference to AZERTAG.

The Momine Khatun Mausoleum, located in the ancient city of Nakhchivan, is not just an architectural monument, but a true gem of Eastern architecture and a symbol of Azerbaijan's rich cultural heritage. Created in 1186 by the brilliant architect Ajami Nakhchivani, this ten-sided mausoleum with a height of 34 meters is one of the most impressive examples of medieval Islamic architecture. The mausoleum was built by order of Atabek Jahan Pahlavan in memory of his mother Momine Khatun, the wife of Shams ad-Din Ildegiz, the founder of the Atabek state of Azerbaijan.

The uniqueness of the monument lies in its exquisite geometric ornament covering all facets of the structure, and the masterful use of red brick – the signature style of the Nakhchivan architectural school. The document notes: "Possessing unparalleled beauty, the Mausoleum is a vivid embodiment of the existence of a highly developed culture and traditions of statehood in Azerbaijan during that period. The Momine Khatun Mausoleum is included in the list of state-protected examples of world-significant cultural heritage as a national treasure of our people."

According to the order, for restoration and conservation work, an initial tranche of 1 million manats will be allocated from the Reserve Fund of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2025 to the Cabinet of Ministers of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. The Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Azerbaijan is instructed to provide funding in the specified amount, and the Ministry of Economy – to allocate the necessary funds in the state budget projects for subsequent years to continue restoration work. Experts note that this decision is of great importance not only for preserving the cultural heritage of Azerbaijan but also for the entire Islamic world.

The Momine Khatun Mausoleum, having survived more than eight centuries, is living evidence of the highest level of architectural thought development in medieval Azerbaijan and requires careful treatment and professional restoration to preserve its authenticity. Restoration work will not only strengthen the structure of the monument but also restore historical details lost over the centuries, making the mausoleum even more attractive to tourists and researchers from around the world.