Architectural Structure and Historical Timeline of Masjid-i Jami at Urmia

Masjid-i Jami in Urmia is one of Iran's architectural heritage buildings that has undergone many changes during different historical, cultural, social, and political events. This mosque is located in the historic core of the city, adjacent to the old bazaar. Despite the importance of this mosque, little research has been done about it and there are still many uncertain aspects regarding its spatial and physical developments. This paper aims to investigate existing documents in order to introduce the development phases of each section of the mosque and to outline its evolution and ultimately its historical timeline. The interpretive-historical research method is used based on field studies, library research, and discussions provided by leading scholars. The results indicate that the Urmia Mosque was erected on the remains of pre-Islamic and early Islamic structures and has undergone numerous changes since the early centuries of Islam. The most important developments of this mosque include the erection of the dome chamber in the Seljuq period, the addition of the mihrab in the Ilkhanid period, and the construction of the courtyard and the surrounding chambers in the Zand period. However, interventions in recent decades have caused major modifications in the complex, including the demolition and reconstruction of some important spaces of the mosque