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Agha Bozord Mosque, Iran. Photo By Erik Albers –

Top 10 Fascinating Facts about Iranian Mosques

The Islamic Republic of Iran is found West of the Asia Continent. Islam was introduced to Iran in 651 AD by Rashidun Caliphate, the successor to the Islamic Prophet Muhammad.

Iran has the second largest Islamic Jewish community after Morocco with 90% of its population being Islamic. Before its conversion to Islam, Zoroastrianism was the main religion practiced in Iran. It remains significant in the country’s cultural heritage and other religions such as Christianity are still practiced.

Iran’s dominant form of Islam, Sunnism, was met with opposition soon after the Mongol invasion of Central Asia (1219). Today, only 18% of the Iranian mosques are dedicated to Sunni Islam with the rest are Shiite.

The total number of mosques in Iran surpasses 50,000 with the majority being in Isfahan Province. Many Iranian mosques are historically significant and therefore recognized as UNESCO World Heritage sites.

1. The Kaleidoscopic Mosque Is Amongst The Most Beautiful Structures In Iran

Colored windows seen from the interior of the Nasir-ol-Molk Mosque, also known as the Pink Mosque. Photo By Diego Delso –

Nasi al-Mulk Mosque, also known as the Pink Mosque, is found in Shiraz Iran. The mosque was named after Mirza Hasan, the then ruler of the Qajar Dynasty. He also went by the name Nasi al-Mulk.

The interior rose-colored geometric tiles have earned the mosque several names such as Pink Mosque, Rainbow Mosque, Mosque of Colours, and Kaleidoscope Mosque. When hit by the sun’s rays, the Persian stained glass brightens up its interior with colorful light creating a kaleidoscopic effect.

The muqarnas design of the mosque also stands out with well-painted arches, remarkable domes, and impressive interior and exterior floral tile work. The mosque receives thousands of visits from both international and domestic tourists.

2. The Iranian Mosques Have Their Own Architectural Style

Entrance iwan muqarnas of Shah Mosque, Isfahan, Iran. Photo By RadosÅ‚aw Botev –

Muqarnas is a form of architectural design that uses ornaments to decorate arches in a mosque. Its unique ‘honeycomb’ design gives an effortless transition from the wall to the ceiling.

The muqarnas are Islamic symbols that represent the complex nature of creation. They also are a representation of heaven. It is believed that the entrance domes decorated with muqarnas are a form of passage from world of the living to the holy realm of Allah.

3. The Design Of Iranian Mosques Differ From The Arab-Mediterranean Mosques

The Persian Empire and Zoroastrianism played a part in the structural aspect of Iranian mosques. These designs differ from the Arabian and Turkish Mediterranean styles.

Iranian architecture is dominated by rounded forms and glazed tiles while the Arab-Mediterranean mosques are designed to have flat roofs with the main construction material being stone.

4. The Concept of Chahar Taq in Ancient Iranian Mosques Was Adopted From The Pre-Islamic Era

The Chahar Taq, a Persian term for four arches, was a form of architectural design adopted from the Zoroastrians. The religion believed the universe was divided into water, wind, fire, and earth.

The Zoroastrian fire temples used Chahar Taq in their structural designs. Presently, the Chahar Taq ideology has been married with modern styles. An example is the four arches pillar found inside the Blue Mosque.

5. The Fourfold Forms In The Ancient Iranian Mosques Adopted The Persian Garden Design

Open point perspective of The Great Mosque of Esfan . Photo Source

The Sumerian folklore of Gilgamesh and the Garden of The Gods was the origin of the concept behind the Persian Gardens. These gardens were also known as the Paradise Gardens of Persia.

The garden was composed of a four-walled symmetrical structure filled with natural elements such as trees and water bodies. The structure of the Great Mosque of Isfahan borrows the fourfold form and the large open space from this design.

Today, the ideology of the Persian gardens represents the creation of beautiful structures with a combination of natural and artificial factors.

 6. The Only Anti-Earthquake Mosque Is Found In Iran

90% of Iran is crossed by major faults making it susceptible to numerous destructive earthquakes. The Wooden Mosque of Neishabour, found in the suburbs of Choobin Village, is a 40-tonne structure that was built according to the earthquake seismicity of Nishapur. It is the only earthquake-resistant mosque in Iran.

7. One of The Iranian Mosques Form Part Of The Four Monuments Of Naqsh-i Jahan Square 

Naghsh-i Jahan Square, Isfahan, Iran. Photo By Arad Mojtahedi –

Naqsh-I Jahan Square was designed after the Sha decided to relocate the capital of the Persian Empire from Qazvin to Isfahan. The square’s rich history got it classified as one UNESCO World Heritage site.

The Shah Mosque is on the square’s southern end while the Sheikh Loft Allah Mosque is on the east. The Sheikh Loft Allah Mosque was considered a private mosque, unlike Shah.  It is one of the four monuments that dominate the square.

8. The Takht-e Soleyman Archaeological Site Was Once Rebuilt As An Iranian Mosque

Takht-e Soleyman ruins. Photo By Alen IÅ¡toković –

Takht-e Soleyman is a fortified site that was initially used as a fire temple by the Zoroastrians. It was converted to a mosque when the Mongol empire came into power.

During excavation, archaeologists discovered a gypsum plate that had ancient Islamic architectural designs. The muqarnas’ plans on the plate coincided with the muqarnas vault on the West wall proving the pre-existence of a mosque. 

9. Al Rasoul Mosque Is Found In The World’s Largest Mudbrick Structure

Before the earthquake of 2003, Arg-e-Bam Citadel was the largest brick structure in the world. The citadel first began as a fort in 323 BC and later became an established market center in the 10^th Century.

The Al Rasoul Mosque was one of the first mosques in Iran. It was constructed during the early Islamic Era (645 AD) after the Arabs took over Bam. The congregational mosque is still present today.

10. The Jameh Mosque Of Atigh Was Believed To Be The Prophetic Passage of Boragh

The Jameh Mosque of Atigh is located in Fars Province. It was built in 281 AH after Saffrid Amroleiss conquered Shiraz. The mosque has undergone renovation several times from the time of completion.

Nodbeh, the southern wall of the mosque, is believed to have been the celestial passage route of the Iranian-personal carrier named Boragh. The hypostyle columns, beautifully tiled shabestan ceilings, and dome at the North iwan are the most outstanding architectural designs of the mosque.