Visit the famous mosques of the Chechen Republic. This 40-kilometer (25-mile) route through Grozny, Argun, and Shali lets you immerse yourself in the traditions and culture of the Vainakh people. Susanin recommends traveling by car or public transport.
Point 2
🕍 Place of worship • 🏙 Modern architecture
In the town of Argun, 15 kilometers (9 miles) from Grozny, stands an unusual mosque that combines traditional elements with a high-tech style. Known as the “Heart of a Mother,” it is named after Aimani Kadyrova, the mother of the head of the republic.
The building was designed by the Turkish architect Deniz Baykan. The Heart of a Mother is the first mosque in Russia built in an ultramodern style. It can hold up to 15,000 worshippers at once. The walls are faced with marble. In the main prayer hall hangs a huge futuristic chandelier in the shape of a crescent, weighing 5 metric tons (5.5 short tons). The oval vaults of the hall are crowned by a dome 23 meters (75 feet) high and 24 meters (79 feet) in diameter, engraved with the names of Allah. During the day, depending on the weather, the mosque's vaults change color from light gray to turquoise blue. At night the mosque is lit by colored lamps and floodlights.
The rules for visiting are the same at all mosques: modest clothing that covers the body, and women must cover their heads. Dresses, skirts, and headscarves are usually provided at the entrance. Note that visitors are not allowed in during prayers, but you can stroll around the grounds until the prayer is over.
Point on route “Shrines of the Chechen Republic”
Point 2
🕍 Place of worship • 🏙 Modern architecture
In the town of Argun, 15 kilometers (9 miles) from Grozny, stands an unusual mosque that combines traditional elements with a high-tech style. Known as the “Heart of a Mother,” it is named after Aimani Kadyrova, the mother of the head of the republic.
The building was designed by the Turkish architect Deniz Baykan. The Heart of a Mother is the first mosque in Russia built in an ultramodern style. It can hold up to 15,000 worshippers at once. The walls are faced with marble. In the main prayer hall hangs a huge futuristic chandelier in the shape of a crescent, weighing 5 metric tons (5.5 short tons). The oval vaults of the hall are crowned by a dome 23 meters (75 feet) high and 24 meters (79 feet) in diameter, engraved with the names of Allah. During the day, depending on the weather, the mosque's vaults change color from light gray to turquoise blue. At night the mosque is lit by colored lamps and floodlights.
The rules for visiting are the same at all mosques: modest clothing that covers the body, and women must cover their heads. Dresses, skirts, and headscarves are usually provided at the entrance. Note that visitors are not allowed in during prayers, but you can stroll around the grounds until the prayer is over.
3 points
34 km
3 hours
