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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.

Main door of the Jame Isfahan Mosque can be seen in the middle
Main door of the Jame Isfahan Mosque can be seen in the middle
A side view of the portico of the Jame Isfahan
A side view of the portico of the Jame Isfahan
A chain hangs at the front of the main door of the mosque
An Iranian women draped in black chador passes under the chain at the main door of the Jame Isfahan Mosque
A lively photo of the Grand Bazaar of Isfahan with the Northern Dome in the background
A lively photo of the Grand Bazaar of Isfahan with the Northern Dome in the background
Northern Dome of the Jame Isfahan
Northern Dome of the Jame Isfahan
Decorative details of the entry portal of the Jame Isfahan Mosque
Decorative details of the entry portal of the Jame Isfahan Mosque
Main entrance of the mosque, seen from inside
Main entrance of the mosque, seen from inside
Persian tiles are used on the exterior
Persian tiles are used on the exterior
A corridor leads to the courtyard of the mosque
A current model of the mosque - the southern dome of the mosque is located in the foreground
An area to the right of the corridor have few information about the history of the mosque
An area to the right of the corridor have few information about the history of the mosque
The very first mosque at current site was built in 772
This photo shows how the Jame Mosque of Isfahan had looked like in the 13th century
This photo shows how the Jame Mosque of Isfahan had looked like in the 13th century
Layout of the mosque in late medieval period
Layout of the mosque in late medieval period

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.

There were open spaces in the corridor leading to the courtyard of the Jame Mosque of Isfahan
There were open spaces in the corridor leading to the courtyard of the Jame Mosque of Isfahan
A beautiful stucco mehrab is located on the left side of the corridor wall
This mehrab is called il-Khanid Mehrab
This mehrab is called il-Khanid Mehrab
Details of the il-Khanid Mehrab
Details of the il-Khanid Mehrab
This panel was placed in the wall of the corridor on the eastern side
This panel was placed in the wall of the corridor on the eastern side
A verse from Koran is written on this stone relief
A verse from Koran is written on this stone relief
Ceiling of the corridor which leads from the main door to the courtyard of the mosque
Ceiling of the corridor which leads from the main door to the courtyard of the mosque
This corridor leads to the upper part of the eastern wall closer to the southeast corner
This corridor leads to the upper part of the eastern wall closer to the southeast corner
The area close to the northeast dome is called "Shabastan"
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
Probably, in the past this section of the mosque was used as a prayer hall
Ceiling of the Shabastan Hall - Jame Isfahan Mosque
Ceiling of the Shabastan Hall - Jame Isfahan Mosque
A skylight allows natural light inside the building
A skylight allows natural light inside the building
There are small domes created to enhance the beauty of this mosque
There are small domes created to enhance the beauty of this mosque
Looking into the sky above, through a hole in the ceiling
Looking into the sky above, through a hole in the ceiling
This part of this mosque looks little strange with no activity inside
This part of this mosque looks little strange with no activity inside

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. 

Tall pillars gave way for the arches which are also the base of the northeast dome
Tall pillars gave way for the arches which are also the base of the northeast dome
Interior of the Northern Dome of the Jame Isfahan
Interior of the Northern Dome of the Jame Isfahan
A closer look at the northeastern dome
A closer look at the northeastern dome
Taj al-Molk commissioned the northeastern dome
Taj al-Molk commissioned the northeastern dome
Bricks are used to build this dome
Bricks are used to build this dome
An old minbar sitting inside the mosque - in the background graffiti can be seen
An old minbar sitting inside the mosque - in the background graffiti can be seen
A brick wall separates this part of the mosque from the newer one (also few centuries old)
A brick wall separates this part of the mosque from the newer one (also few centuries old)
This design allows light from one of the iwans into this part of the mosque
This design allows light from one of the iwans into this part of the mosque
A closer look at the bricks which are used to beautify the walls
A closer look at the bricks which are used to beautify the walls
A view of the southern dome and iwan of the Jame Isfahan
A view of the southern dome and iwan of the Jame Isfahan