Shah Abbas I began the Shah Mosque in 1611, and it was probably completed around 1630 and 1631, in the early years of Shah Safi's reign. Ali Akbar Isfahani is named in the main foundation inscription. The infobox lists the style as Safavid.
A central courtyard is surrounded by four monumental iwans. The entrance portal is about 90 feet (27.5 m) tall, and the minarets are about 110 feet (33.5 m). The main dome is 171 feet (52 m) high on the outside and 125 feet (38 m) on the inside. The main block measures about 330 by 430 feet (100 by 130 m).
The mosque is decorated with haft rangi, or seven-color tiles, painted in several colors and fired together, a cheaper and quicker technique than tile mosaic. The dome's echo carries prayer through the mosque. It faces Naqsh-e Jahan Square, and UNESCO listed it in 1979.
Comments