Islamic Architecture & Art in Iran — Photo Blog

On my recent trip to Iran I spent 2.5 weeks exploring national parks, ancient ruins, pristine islands, and modern cities, but nothing blew my mind as the Islamic art & architecture.

Known for its fabulous carpets, ancient Mosques, beautiful Churches, vibrant bazaars, and much more, one could spend years exploring all that in Iran.

If you are thinking about making Iran your next travel destination and you are art and architecture buff, you have come to the right spot.

Isfahan

The city where you can find modern life in Iran. Isfahan is a place where locals like to hang out, have a picnic near the river, practice English with foreigners. It was actually the only city where we met other backpackers. The city has an amazing square with beautiful mosque and a huge bazar in which you can easily get lost but also you can find everything.

Isfahan is the main destination for many tourists who decide to visit this country.

Shah Mosque

The Shah Mosque, also known as the New Abbasi Mosque or Royal Mosque, is a mosque located in Isfahan, Iran. It is located on the south side of Naghsh-e Jahan Square. It was built during the Safavid dynasty under the order of Shah Abbas I of Iran. It became known as the Imam Mosque after the Iranian Revolution. It is regarded as one of the masterpieces of Persian architecture in the Islamic era. The Royal Mosque is registered, along with the Naghsh-e Jahan Square, as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its construction began in 1611, and its splendour is mainly due to the beauty of its seven-colour mosaic tiles and calligraphic inscriptions. The mosque is depicted on the reverse of the Iranian 20,000 rials banknote. Wikipedia

Naghsh-e Jahan Square, also known as Imam Square, is a square situated at the center of Isfahan, Iran. Constructed between 1598 and 1629, it is now an important historical site, and one of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites. It is 160 metres wide by 560 metres long. It is also referred to as Shah Square or Imam Square.Wikipedia

The Khaju Bridge is one of the historical bridges on the Zayanderud, the largest river of the Iranian Plateau, in Isfahan, Iran. Serving as both a bridge and a weir, it links the Khaju quarter on the north bank with the Zoroastrian quarter across the Zayanderud. Wikipedia

Jameh Mosque

The Jāmeh Mosque of Isfahān or Jāme’ Mosque of Isfahān was the grand, congregational mosque of Isfahān city, within Isfahān Province, Iran. The mosque was the result of continual construction, reconstruction, additions and renovations on the site from around 771 to the end of the 20th century. Wikipedia

Vank Cathedral

The Holy Savior Cathedral, also known the Church of the Saintly Sisters, is a cathedral located in the New Julfa district of Isfahan, Iran. It is commonly referred to as the Vank, which means “monastery” or “convent” in the Armenian language. Wikipedia

Yazd

Walking along the narrow streets of this beautiful Iranian city you will feel like you are walking in a museum. For many visitors it is one of the favorite places to visit in Iran. Yazd is perfectly maintained, with amazing unique architecture.

On the rooftops you can see unique vents that function as air-conditioning of homes. The city of Yazd can easily become your favorite tourist destination that you have ever visited. Going to Iran, means going to Yazd.

Image #1 Entrance of Masjed-i Jame Mosque

Masjed-i Jame Mosque

The Jāmeh Mosque of Yazd is the grand, congregational mosque of Yazd city, within the Yazd Province of Iran. The mosque is depicted on the obverse of the Iranian 200 rials banknote. Wikipedia

Teheran

Buzzing streets, loud markets, crazy drivers and modern youngsters that are eager to meet new people from all around the world and help them discover the city.

The Azadi Tower, formerly known as the Shahyad Tower, is a monument located on Azadi Square in Tehran, Iran. It is one of the landmarks of Tehran, marking the west entrance to the city, and is part of the Azadi Cultural Complex, which also includes an underground museum. Wikipedia

Shiraz

Beautiful city with some of the most amazing Islamic Art we have ever seen. Shiraz is full of history and people are proud of their heritage. It is also know for the wine that was made in their region, but after the end of the Shah rule, the new government has forbidden the production of this drink.

The Vakil Mosque is a mosque in Shiraz, southern Iran, situated to the west of the Vakil Bazaar next to its entrance. This mosque was built between 1751 and 1773, during the Zand period; however, it was restored in the 19th century during the Qajar period. Wikipedia

Image #1: Eram Garden is a historic Persian garden in Shiraz, Iran. It belonged to the leaders of Qashqai tribe before being confiscated by the central government. The garden, and the building within it, are located at the northern shore of the Khoshk River in the Fars province. Wikipedia

Image #2 & #3: Shāh Chérāgh is a funerary monument and mosque in Shiraz, Iran, housing the tomb of the brothers Ahmad and Muhammad, sons of Mūsā al-Kādhim and brothers of ‘Alī ar-Ridhā. The two took refuge in the city during the Abbasid persecution of Shia Muslims. Shāh-é-Chérāgh is Persian for “King of the Light”. Wikipedia

The Nasir al-Mulk Mosque, also known as the Pink Mosque, is a traditional mosque in Shiraz, Iran. It is located in Gawd-i Arabān quarter, near Shāh Chérāgh Mosque. It was built during Qajar dynasty rule of Iran. Wikipedia

Kashan

It is enough to spend one night in Kashan just so you can climb on one of the buildings and enjoy the sunset. The city has an amazing mosque and an old bathhouse that are worth your time.

Sultan Amir Ahmad Bathhouse, also known as the Qasemi Bathhouse, is a traditional Iranian public bathhouse in Kashan, Iran. It was constructed in the 16th century, during the Safavid era; however, the bathhouse was damaged in 1778 as a result of an earthquake and was renovated during the Qajar era. The bathhouse is named after Imamzadeh Sultan Amir Ahmad, whose mausoleum is nearby. Sultan Amir Ahmad Bathhouse, with an area of around 1000 square meters, consists of two main parts: the sarbineh and garmkhaneh. The sarbineh is a large octagonal hall and has an octagonal pool in the middle, separated by 8 pillars from the outer section. There are four pillars in the garmkhaneh, which make smaller bathing rooms all around as well as the entrance section to the khazineh in the middle. The interior of the bathhouse is decorated with turquoise and gold tilework, plasterwork, brickwork, as well as artistic paintings. The roof of the bathhouse is made of multiple domes that contain convex glasses to provide sufficient lighting to the bathhouse while concealing it from the outside. Wikipedia

Agha Bozorg mosque is a historical mosque in Kashan, Iran. The mosque was built in the late 18th century by master-mi’mar Ustad Haj Sa’ban-ali. The mosque and theological school is located in the center of the city. Agha Bozorgh Mosque was constructed for prayers, preaching and teaching sessions held by Molla Mahdi Naraghi II also known as Mulla Mohammad Naraqi, known famously by his title of Āghā Bozorgh given to him by the Shah himself. Molla Mahdi Naraghi II was the son of the legendary Mulla Ahmad Naraqi who was the second strongest person in Iran after the king himself, Fath-Ali Shah Qajar. Mulla Ahmad Naraqi is well known for rallying the Iranian forces against the Russian invasion of northern Iran and declaring “jihad” or “holy war” against the invading Russians. He was successfully able to reconquer the Iranian lands that the invading Russian forces had captured during that offensive. Mulla Ahmad Naraqi, his brothers, his sons, and his father Mulla Muhammad Mahdi Naraqi famously known as Muhaqqiq Naraqi; are some of the most prominent Shi’a clerics as well as some of the most famous Islamic Iranian scientists of their time. Wikipedia

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