Vakil Mosque, Religious structure in Shiraz, Iran.
The Vakil Mosque is a prayer structure in Shiraz built between 1751 and 1773, featuring 48 stone columns with spiral carvings. The building includes multiple prayer halls, two minarets, and a large courtyard with water pools.
Construction began under Karim Khan Zand, who made Shiraz the capital of his realm and established this structure as a religious center. Once completed, it became one of the city's most important prayer sites.
The mosque displays traditional Persian design through its detailed tile mosaics and decorative patterns on the walls. The arabesques and inscriptions reflect the craftsmanship that visitors can observe as they walk through the spaces.
The site sits adjacent to Vakil Bazaar and remains active during daily prayer times. Visitors should wear respectful clothing and check locally for prayer schedules to find the best times to explore the spaces.
The 48 stone columns in the prayer hall create special acoustic effects that naturally enhance the sound of prayers. This acoustic feature was apparently intentional in the original design and remains striking today.
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