Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque

Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque is a 17th-century prayer house on the eastern edge of Naqsh-e Jahan Square in Isfahan, notable for its dome without minarets. The outer walls show tile patterns in cream and blue tones, while inside, geometric motifs and floral designs cover the entire dome and are highlighted by natural light from small windows.

Shah Abbas I commissioned architect Baha ad-Din al-Amili in 1602 to build this mosque, which was completed in 1619 and served the royal family as a private prayer space. An underground passage connected the building directly to the Ali Qapu Palace on the opposite side of the square, allowing the court to enter unnoticed.

The name honors Sheikh Lotfollah, a Lebanese scholar who served at Shah Abbas's court and whose family used this mosque as a prayer space. The mihrab shows detailed tilework in blue, gold, and turquoise, while Arabic calligraphy guides religious verses across the walls in flowing lines.

The entrance sits directly on the square and is reached by a short staircase leading into an angled corridor that shields the interior from outside noise. The best hours for visits are early morning, when sunlight passes through the dome windows and makes the tile colors glow.

The dome shows an unusual color shift throughout the day, changing from pale cream through pink to ochre, an effect created by the special arrangement of tiles and the angle of incoming light. At the center of the dome, a peacock pattern appears that only becomes visible when standing directly underneath and looking up.

Location: District 3

Inception: 1603

Architects: Bahāʾ al-dīn al-ʿĀmilī

Official opening: 1619

Architectural style: Safavid architecture

Height: 32 m

Made from material: stone, brick, mortar, tile, marble

GPS coordinates: 32.65745,51.67853

Latest update: December 20, 2025 11:59