Where is Sheikh Lotfallah Mosque located?
Isfahan city was a crossroad of international trade and diplomacy, at the start of the 16th century after it was selected as the capital, by Shah Abbas I. At that time Persia had reached to its pinnacle of briskness. Isfahan had parks, libraries and mosques that amazed Europeans, who had not seen anything like them at home. Isfahan city is renowned not only for its natural beauties, but also its architectural masterpieces. In Iran they call Isfahan “Nisfe Jahan” which means, seeing this majestic city is equal to seeing half of the world.
Sheikh Lotfallah Mosque was built in this beautiful city.
What does Sheikh Lotfallah Mosque look like?
atToday, the structure has slightly change
The architecture of this mosque is by far the most unique in the world. The use of natural light in the construction, and the combination of stunning colors, along with the roles and paintings of flowers, trees and plants on mosaic tiles have created a unique harmony.
On the entry point you have to use a set of stairs which is unusual for a mosque. The reason for that was, so the humidity coming from the Zayande Rood river will do no damage to the structure.
When you come through the front door of a mosque you must always be facing towards the Qibla (the direction that should be faced when Muslims pray). However, if the architect wanted to build the mosque in the direction of the Qibla the Naghshe Jahan Square’s harmony would be ruined. To overcome this problem the architect has created a corridor that turns left and then right from the entrance right through to the dome.
The mosque is also very famous because of the special lighting mechanism, proportional sizes, and its picturesque dome. The architected has delicately placed the cream-colored tiles so that it changes color throughout the day from cream to pink.
