[IRAN] Esfahan – Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque & Shah Mosque

16:22 Travel Bunny 0 Comments

Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque on the eastern side of Imam Khomeini Square, was built during the Shah Abas time and dedicated to his father in-law, Sheikh Lotfollah. Sheikh Lotfollah was a preacher and teacher who came from Lebanon to Esfahan at the orders of Shah Abas. Another prominent building is the Shah Mosque on the south side of the Imam Khomeini Square. The Shah Mosque is even depicted on the reverse of Iranian 20,000 rials banknote.

Construction of Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque started in 1603 and this beautiful mosque took nearly 20 years to complete when it was completed in 1619. This mosque is unusual because it has no minaret or courtyard.

Of the four monuments at the square, this mosque was the first to be built.

Upon entering the mosque, one walks along the dimly lit corridor, which is connected to the sanctuary.

Wall with holes along the corridor allows visitors to look into the sanctuary.

The elaborate designed dome inside the sanctuary.

There are 16 windows around the lower part of dome with equal size and shape and equal intervals.

Calligraphies tiles.

Next, we walked towards the Shah Mosque.

The entrance iwan with its towering minarets are all decorated with seven-colour mosaic tiles.

Inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site together with Imam Square, Shah Mosque’s construction was completed in 1629.

Turbah are prayer stones for the Shiah Muslims.

This large marble basin set on a pedestal still stands for four hundred years. It used to serve the function of providing refreshments to the worshippers at the Friday prayers.

There are four iwans surrounding the main courtyard. The main iwan is the only one with minarets, and behind it the dome.

Interior view of the dome.

A big window brings light into the interior of the mosque.

If you stand inside this square box and shout or sing, you can hear your own voice echoing in the hall. The acoustic properties and reflections at the central point under the dome enables the imam to speak with a subdued voice and still be heard clearly by everyone inside the building.