Shah Mosque, Islamic architectural monument in Isfahan, Iran
The Shah Mosque is a religious building on the southern side of Naqsh-e Jahan Square in Isfahan, Iran, known for its large blue dome and tall minarets. The complex includes a rectangular courtyard with a water basin in the center, surrounded by two-story arcades and prayer halls on each side.
Shah Abbas the First ordered construction in 1611 to provide the new capital Isfahan with a monumental religious center. Completion followed in 1630 under architect Bahāʾ al-dīn al-ʿĀmilī, who combined Safavid building traditions with innovative construction techniques.
The name honors Shah Abbas the First, the Safavid ruler who made Isfahan the capital of his empire. The symmetrical facade facing the square shows blue and turquoise tile patterns, while calligraphy in Kufic and Naskh scripts repeats sacred texts along the arches and portals.
The entrance faces Naqsh-e Jahan Street, with the portal angled slightly west to align the main hall toward Mecca. Visitors should choose early morning hours when light passes through the dome windows and makes the tiles glow.
The main dome measures 52 meters (171 feet) in height and consists of two shells with an air space between them, which reduces weight and enhances acoustics. This double-walled construction allows a clap at the floor to return as multiple echoes heard throughout the interior.
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