Although named the 'Sixty Dome Mosque,' the structure actually features 81 domes in total.
The mosque was built during the reign of Sultan Nasiruddin Mahmud Shah by the local saint-governor Khan Jahan Ali.
The thick, tapering walls were constructed using the 'diaper' masonry technique with terracotta ornamentation.
The building was designed to serve as both a place of worship and an assembly hall for administrative purposes.
It is part of a complex that originally included a large water reservoir known as the Ghora Dighi.
The mosque has no minarets, which was a distinct characteristic of the early Bengal Sultanate style.
The interior columns are made of stone, contrasting with the brick exterior.
The mosque sits in a region that was once the medieval city of Khalifatabad.
The ventilation and lighting are managed through 25 decorative terracotta arched doorways and screens.
The Sixty Dome Mosque, or Shat Gombuj Masjid, is a 15th-century terracotta brick monument located in the Bagerhat District of Bangladesh. Built by Khan Jahan Ali in 1459, it serves as the most significant example of the Sultanate architecture in the region. Despite its name, the mosque features 81 domes, including 77 low domes arranged in seven rows of eleven, and four smaller corner towers. The building measures approximately 160 feet by 108 feet, with walls nearly 8.5 feet thick. The interior space is divided into 11 longitudinal aisles and 7 bays by slender stone columns that support the expansive roof. The western wall contains 11 mihrabs, with the central one being the largest and most ornately decorated. It is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the 'Mosque City of Bagerhat.' The mosque is constructed entirely from locally sourced burnt clay bricks.
From the banks of the Ghora Dighi tank to capture the mosque's symmetry and its reflection in the water.
Hire a local guide at the entrance to explain the significance of the terracotta motifs.
Visit the adjacent Ghora Dighi tank, as it provides a serene perspective of the mosque's reflection.
Carry your own drinking water, as facilities on-site are limited.
Do not touch or lean on the ancient terracotta carvings, as they are fragile and undergoing conservation.
Visitors must remove shoes before entering the prayer hall; modest dress covering shoulders and knees is required for all genders.
