Entrance, North Dome and Shabistan of Jame Isfahan Mosque
History
Main door of the Jame Mosque of Isfahan is next to Grand Bazaar and it is surrounded by the shops on two sides. A mosque stood here in the 8th century but it got burnt down. During the rule of the Seljuks, Isfahan became the centre of power and a mosque was built here. In short, the Jame Mosque of Isfahan has seen many changes throughout it’s history and each ruler added it’s own blend of beauty to this great mosque. When Shah Abbas I moved Safavid capital of his empire from Qazvin to Isfahan, new life was given to this great city.
Entrance Portico of Jame Isfahan
Normally, a chain hangs at the front of the main door of the mosque. When chain is at it’s lowest level, it means that access is not allowed. Persian tiles are used to enhance the beauty of the entrance. After entering through the main door, a corridor leads to the courtyard of the mosque.
However, just before the courtyard, to right side there is a room which show few models and history of the mosque. It has a current model of the mosque. A photos shows that very first mosque at current site was built in 772 and in 840 the mosque was demolished and a new mosque was built on an area of one hectare. Another one shows how the Jame Mosque of Isfahan had looked like in the 13th century.
il-Khanid Mehrab
There are open spaces in the roof of the corridor leading to the courtyard. These open spaces would allow more light and fresh air into the building. A beautiful stucco mehrab is located on the left side of the corridor wall. It is called il-Khanid Mehrab and it is believed that this mehrab was built in the 14th century or earlier period. A graffiti found on this mehrab is dated 1437 and it also sheds a light on it’s age as well.
Shabistan
The area close to the northeast dome is called “Shabastan”, probably, in the past this section of the mosque was used as a prayer hall. The construction of this section of the mosque goes back to the 13th century. Inside the shabastan, one is surrounded by tall pillars built with bricks.
Like many other buildings in the Islamic World, ceiling allows natural light inside the building. There are small domes created to enhance the beauty of this mosque, similarities can be found between the Jame Mosque of Isfahan and that of al-Nasir Mosque in Shiraz.
North Dome of Jame Mosque Isfahan
The north Dome is also known as the Dome of Taj al-Molk or Khaki Gobund. Taj al-Molk commissioned the northeastern dome, was built in 1088-9 for Terkan Khatun (Malik Shah’s wife and Sultan Tamghach Khan’s daughter). Some historians believe that this dome was used as a private prayer hall for the ladies. Ten double-ribs emerge from the dome’s drum and ascend to inscribe a pentagon. Bricks are one of the main components to build this massive dome. Small holes are designed in the wall to allow light from one of the iwans to that part of the mosque.