Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque

Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque is one of the architectural masterpieces of the eleventh century. This mosque located on the eastern side of the Naqshe Jahan Square. This mosque is one of the most important mosques in Iran.

Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque, built in the ancient city of Isfahan, has remained in the Safavid era. The mosque was built on the orders of Shah Abbas and in honor of the arrival of Sheikh Lotfollah Jebel Ameli (He was one of the scientists of Shah Abbas era.). This unique mosque built by Professor Mohammad Reza Bana Isfahani.

This mosque has different looks and architecture with other mosques. Unlike other mosques, this mosque has not finial and courtyard. Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque is the most circular dome in the world that is considered one of the most beautiful domes of the world. Usually, the color of the dome is turquoise, but the color of the Lotfollah's dome is Khaki.

Interestingly, the mosque's architecture rotates 45 degrees. You must pass two corridors to get inside the mosque. The second corridor rotates 45 degrees to the right. It's interesting to know that this spin is not visible from the outside.

After passing the corridors, you went under the dome of this mosque. The dome has become one of the most beautiful domes in Esfahan and Iran, due to its magnificence, the architectural and decorative features of dark blue on the white background. Also, in the inner center of the dome, the peafowl is designed, whose feathers are completed by the light entering the windows above the dome of the mosque.

The mosque built on a four-sided and converted into octagonal parts in the upper parts. The walls of this mosque made thick due to the heavy weight of the mosque. Approximately, the diameter of the windows is one to two meters. For the lighting of this mosque, there are 16 windows in the stem of the dome. These windows are lattice-shaped and surrounded by a mosque. So, the mosque is light throughout the day.

One of the masterpieces of architecture can see on the altar of this mosque. The tile works, tablets and poems used in the altar, make the eyes of every visitor amaze.

• What is the best time to go?

Isfahan climate is moderate. So, you can travel to the ancient city of Esfahan in all seasons. The Lotfollah Mosque is open daily, except for the days of mourning and prayer time.

• Getting there?

If you want to go to this mosque by public transport, you can use the following paths:

Bus: To reach Naqsh-e Jahan Square, you should use the buses on the square of Imam Hussain (AS) - the Ghadir Gardens of the East Terminal, or Imam Hussain Square (AS) - use the Hasht Behesht of the Khorasgan Terminal and get off at the Imam Square Station.

Metro: The nearest station is Imam Hossein Square. Then you can reach  Naqsh-e Jahan Square by taxi.

Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque located on the eastern side of the Naqsh-e Jahan Square.