Endangered Mosque Heritage in Nakhchivan: Architectural Documentation and Conservation Priorities

Abstract

Historical monuments constitute valuable records of cultural heritage and collective memory. This study examines selected religious architectural monuments in the Nakhchivan region, focusing on mosques and shrines, to document their current preservation status and to underline the necessity of timely conservation action. Using a descriptive and comparative approach grounded in field observation and architectural analysis, the research compiles basic identification data and evaluates physical condition with particular attention to roof integrity, structural continuity, and the survival of key heritage elements. Findings indicate that several monuments located in the Kangarli and Sharur districts are in a critical state of deterioration. In particular, the Old Khok Mosque (Kangarli) and the mosques in Kurchulu and Ashagi Aralıq villages (Sharur) have largely collapsed, with only structural remnants remaining, signalling an urgent need for protective measures and systematic documentation. Given their historical and architectural significance, these monuments require professionally supervised, scientifically informed conservation-restoration planning. Accordingly, the study emphasizes that relevant institutions should prioritize immediate interventions to prevent further loss and to safeguard this heritage for future generations.