The Sixty Dome Mosque (Shat Gombuj Masjid) in Bagerhat is one of South Asia’s most atmospheric medieval mosques and the centrepiece of the UNESCO-listed Historic Mosque City of Bagerhat.
In this definitive Homejourney guide, you’ll find everything you need to visit safely and meaningfully—history, on-the-ground tips, sample itineraries, and how this UNESCO site connects to wider Asian lifestyle and property choices, including Singapore.
Executive Summary: Why the Sixty Dome Mosque Matters
The Sixty Dome Mosque is the largest surviving medieval mosque in Bangladesh and the landmark monument of the UNESCO-listed Historic Mosque City of Bagerhat, a 15th‑century planned city near the meeting point of the Ganges and Brahmaputra rivers.[4] It showcases the unique Khan‑e‑Jahan architectural style—thick laterite walls, rows of stone pillars and dozens of low domes—developed under the Sufi ruler Khan Jahan Ali.[4][8]
Recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the broader Mosque City contains mosques, tombs, bridges, water tanks and urban remains from the medieval city of Khalifatabad, making it one of the most important Islamic heritage clusters in South Asia.[4][2][8] The site remains an active place of worship and pilgrimage, combining living faith with archaeology.[4]
For Singapore-based travellers, expats and international investors, Bagerhat offers:
- A compact, culturally rich side trip from Dhaka or Khulna
- A chance to experience a quieter, more contemplative UNESCO site compared with big‑city attractions
- A gateway to thinking about heritage, urban planning and community—issues that matter when you later evaluate property opportunities across Asia, especially in Singapore with Homejourney.
Table of Contents
- Destination Overview: Sixty Dome Mosque & Bagerhat
- History, UNESCO Status & Architecture
- Top Attractions Around the Sixty Dome Mosque
- Practical Travel Tips & Safety
- Where to Stay in Bagerhat & Khulna
- Food & Dining Near the Sixty Dome Mosque
- Suggested 3‑Day & 5‑Day Itineraries
- Connecting Bagerhat to Singapore Real Estate
- FAQ: Sixty Dome Mosque & Bagerhat UNESCO Guide
- Next Steps & How Homejourney Supports Your Journey
1. Destination Overview: Sixty Dome Mosque & Bagerhat
1.1 Where is the Sixty Dome Mosque?
The Sixty Dome Mosque (Shat Gombuj Masjid) sits near the town of Bagerhat, in south‑west Bangladesh, on the southern bank of the old Bhairab River in the modern Bagerhat district.[4] It is part of the wider Historic Mosque City of Bagerhat, a dispersed archaeological landscape of mosques, roads, water tanks, tombs and other buildings from the 15th‑century city of Khalifatabad.[4][2]
Key distances (approximate, for planning only):
- Bagerhat town to Sixty Dome Mosque: ~5–7 km by local transport
- Khulna city to Bagerhat: under 1 hour by road in normal traffic[1]
- Dhaka to Khulna: ~6–8 hours by road or a domestic flight to Jessore then road onwards (check current schedules)
1.2 Why Visit the Sixty Dome Mosque?
Travellers visit the Sixty Dome Mosque and Bagerhat because:
- It is one of the most complete surviving examples of a medieval Islamic planned city in Bengal.[4][2][8]
- The mosque’s long prayer hall, forest of pillars and dozens of low domes create a uniquely serene interior, very different from Ottoman or Persian mosques.[1][4]
- The site is still used daily for worship, letting visitors observe living traditions rather than a “frozen” monument.[4]
- Bagerhat combines easily with the Sundarbans mangrove forest or Khulna city for a well-rounded South‑West Bangladesh itinerary.[1]
From a Singapore lifestyle perspective, the visit also offers a lens on how heritage is preserved within living cities—something Singaporeans recognise from places like Kampong Glam, Little India and Chinatown, where conservation and modern real estate co-exist.
1.3 Best Time to Visit Bagerhat & the Sixty Dome Mosque
Bangladesh has a tropical monsoon climate. For comfort and safety, timing matters.
For Singapore travellers used to constant air‑conditioning, the dry season’s cooler temperatures will feel much more comfortable when walking between monuments.
1.4 Getting There from Singapore
There are no direct flights from Singapore to Bagerhat. You will generally route via Dhaka or, in some cases, Jessore/Khulna.
- Singapore → Dhaka: Direct flights operate regularly from Changi Airport (around 4 hours). From Dhaka, continue by road or domestic flight.
- Dhaka → Khulna/Bagerhat: Most visitors take a private car, bus or hired driver to Khulna (6–8 hours), then a shorter drive to Bagerhat (~1 hour).[1]
- Alternative via Jessore: Domestic flights Dhaka–Jessore, then 2–3 hours by road to Khulna/Bagerhat (check latest timings and safety advisories before booking).
For a safer and smoother experience, especially if you are travelling with family or older parents (a common scenario for Singapore families), consider pre‑arranged transfers through a reputable local operator or hotel rather than ad‑hoc bargaining on arrival.
1.5 Currency & Exchange Tips
The local currency is the Bangladeshi Taka (BDT). At Bagerhat and around the mosque, most transactions (entry, local food, small shops) are cash‑based. Do not rely on cards.
Practical money tips:
- Exchange major currencies into BDT in Dhaka or Khulna; money‑changers are limited in Bagerhat itself.
- Keep small notes for mosque donations, snacks and local transport.
- For investors or expats thinking ahead, Homejourney supports multi‑currency browsing and comparisons, so you can mentally map costs in BDT to SGD and other currencies when exploring Singapore real estate options later. Bank Rates
2. History, UNESCO Status & Architecture
2.1 The Medieval City of Khalifatabad
The Historic Mosque City of Bagerhat occupies the ruins of the 15th‑century city of Khalifatabad, founded by the Sufi leader and administrator Khan Jahan Ali in the south‑west of present‑day Bangladesh.[4][2] The city stretches along the Bhairab River and once contained a dense cluster of religious and secular monuments—mosques, bridges, houses, water tanks and more.[4][2]
Historical sources and archaeological work suggest that up to 360 structures—from mosques and roads to water tanks and mausoleums—were built under Khan Jahan Ali and his followers.[2][8] Many are now ruined, but key buildings like the Sixty Dome Mosque, Khan Jahan Ali’s mausoleum and several smaller mosques still stand as anchors of the landscape.[2][4][8]
2.2 Khan Jahan Ali: The Man Behind Bagerhat
Khan Jahan Ali (also written Khan I Jahan) was a 15th‑century Sufi leader and governor who led the development of Khalifatabad.[2][4] He is credited with draining the Sundarbans fringe, digging large water tanks and building mosques and civic works that encouraged settlement in what was then a forested frontier region.[2][8]
His tomb near Bagerhat remains an important pilgrimage site, and structures in the region collectively exhibit a distinctive Khan‑e‑Jahan architectural style—the only known example of this type in architectural history.[4] This style combines local materials (laterite, brick), multi‑domed roofs and robust, fortress‑like forms adapted to a monsoon climate.
2.3 UNESCO World Heritage Status
The Historic Mosque City of Bagerhat was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1985, recognised for its outstanding universal value as an exceptional example of a medieval Islamic city in the Bengal delta.[4][8]
UNESCO highlights:
- The site preserves the layout and key monuments of a 15th‑century city including mosques, residences, roads, ponds and tombs.[4]
- The architecture demonstrates the unique Khan‑e‑Jahan style, with multi‑domed mosques built in brick and laterite, adapted to local climate and tradition.[4]
- The integrity of the setting—dense monuments, water bodies and greenery—remains largely intact.[4]
- Protection is provided under Bangladeshi laws such as the Antiquities Act and related regulations, overseen by the Department of Archaeology.[4]
2.4 Architecture of the Sixty Dome Mosque (Shat Gombuj)
Locally called Shat Gombuj Masjid, the Sixty Dome Mosque is the largest historic mosque in Bangladesh from the Sultanate period and the signature monument of Bagerhat.[5][8] Despite its name, the mosque actually features 77 domes supported by 60 stone pillars—the “sixty” refers to the internal columns rather than dome count.[1][5]
Key architectural features:[1][4][5][8]
- A long rectangular prayer hall divided into multiple aisles by rows of stone pillars.
- Dozens of low domes covering the roof, plus four corner towers.
- Thick brick and laterite walls with small arched openings that filter light, keeping the interior cool.
- Internal spaces that feel almost like a forest of columns—very different from large open domes in Ottoman or Mughal mosques.
For Singapore visitors familiar with Masjid Sultan or Malabar Mosque, the Sixty Dome Mosque’s interior feels more intimate and enclosed, with lower ceilings and a heavier, almost fortress‑like presence. This makes it particularly atmospheric in the early morning or just before sunset.
2.5 Bagerhat Regional Museum
Near the mosque, the Bagerhat Regional Museum acts as a site museum, housing artefacts from excavations around Khalifatabad.[2] Established in 1994 by Bangladesh’s Department of Archaeology, it preserves terracotta plaques, utensils, glazed tiles and other objects that illustrate daily life in medieval Bagerhat.[2]
The museum also:
- Includes a large model of the ancient city showing mosques, tombs and tanks, helping visitors visualise the original urban layout.[2]
- Displays Hindu and Buddhist sculptures from the area, demonstrating Bagerhat’s multi‑religious history before Islamic rule.[2]
- Features a taxidermy crocodile from nearby Thakur Dighi tank, linking local legend and natural history.[2]
3. Top Attractions & Experiences Around the Sixty Dome Mosque
3.1 Core Heritage Sites in the Mosque City of Bagerhat
Beyond the Sixty Dome Mosque, several nearby monuments complete the UNESCO experience.[1][2][8]
