The Structure of the Square
The structure which was built between the years 1598 to 1629 became a vital historical site and part of UNESCO's World Heritage Site. The size of the building is 160 meters wide to 508 meters long.[1]
Development of the Square
The square was developed by Shah Abbas the great in the 17th century, by bordering all the sides of the monumental building by linking the two-stories arcades thus making it acquire the three names. The square is also surrounded by the Safavid era buildings such as the Ali Qapu Palace, which is located at the west side. Because this mosque was meant to be private, it is slightly smaller than the Imam Mosque because it lacks minarets. Similar to the Imam Mosque, Sheikh has an entrance that consists a portal that turns right which makes all visitors and tourists face Mecca when going into the mosque.
Masjid-e Imam
The Masjid-e Imam (also known as the Shah mosque) which is situated at the eastern side of the northern and square side was later established to the Isfahan Grand Bazaar. It also became one of the most famous places visited by many tourists is the Isfahan because of its romantic touch of historical gardens and buildings that surround the premises. The Masjid was also considered as one of the largest monumental located near the portal iwan situated at the northern arcade of the maydan connecting the old bazaar to the north.[2] The construction of this mosque began in 1611 and completed around 1630 under Shah Abbas during the era of Shah Safi a successor of Abbas that rule from 1629 to 1642. Moreover, in 1638, the marble dadoes structures were added. However, so much is known concerning the people involved in the construction of the mosques.
Ali Qapu Mosque
The Ali Qapu is a mosque located on the western side of the primary party of Isfahan and Mayda-I Shah which was known as Naqsh-I Jahan. It is located across the square of the Shaykh Lutfallah Mosque. The structure is also at the heart of the two-story atrium originally conceived from monumental gatehouse between the semi-private dawlat-Khanah and the public maydan which consists of government bureaus, storehouses, and palaces to the west of the square.[3]
Growth of Ali Qapu
However, its growth accommodated other courtly roles such as entertainment and administration. The building was also added several phases and a two-story atrium constructed with the Western Wall. This building also corresponds to the initial structure of the Mayan but under Safavid Shah Abbas. For instance, the first edition was also known as the second tier that was added to increase the height of the building. In its final form, the building has a five-story tower that has a two-story building which supports the columned talar.
Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque
Sheikh Lotfollah is an unusual Mosque because it neither has a courtyard nor a minaret because of its steps which lead to the entrance. The primary reason why it was designed this way is that it was not intended for public use but instead, serve as a worship place for the shah's harem women. The prayer hall or sanctuary is also reached by a twisting hallway where upon walking darkness covers the eyes of the visitor that shifts to light because of the deep blue tile work.[4] The hall also integrates both the function and design of the mosque because of how the worshiper moves from the grand square to the prayer wall on a different axis that faces Mecca. The interior has mosaics that adorn the beauty of the walls and ceiling with its shrinking, masterpiece, yellow motifs designs. The sunlight shaft is meant to filter light through the latticed windows that constantly change to the interplay of the shadow and light to give tangible quality.
Bibliography
Hanafi, Mashunah, Akhmad Syaikhu, and Budi Rahmat Hakim. "The Masjid-e Imam Di Kota Banjarmasin." Tashwir1, no. 1 (2014). doi:10.18592/jt.v1i1.152.
Leask, A. "World Heritage Site Designation." Managing World Heritage Sites, 2006, 5-19. doi:10.1016/b978-0-7506-6546-9.50009-5.
Shahani, Mohammad Hossein. "Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque: A Story of Daylight in Sequential Spaces." Space and Culture, 2018, 140-55. doi:10.1177/1206331218782406.
[1] A. Leask, "World Heritage Site Designation," Managing World Heritage Sites, 2006, , doi:10.1016/b978-0-7506-6546-9.50009-5.
[2] Mashunah Hanafi, Akhmad Syaikhu, and Budi Rahmat Hakim, "The Masjid-e Imam Di Kota Banjarmasin," Tashwir 1, no. 1 (2014): , doi:10.18592/jt.v1i1.152.
[3] Mehrdad Hejazi, "Structural Analysis of the Wooden Structure of the Historical Building of Ali Qapu," Journal of Structural Engineering 132, no. 11 (2006): , doi:10.1061/(asce)0733-9445(2006)132:11(1801).
[4] Mohammadhossein Shahani, "Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque: A Story of Daylight in Sequential Spaces," Space and Culture, 2018, , doi:10.1177/1206331218782406.
