Architecture Research 2012, 2(6): 122-127 DOI: 10.5923/j.arch.20120206.02

Comparison of Iranian Architecture in Three Dynasties

Mohammad Jooshesh*, Negar Kolahi

Undergraduate student of Architecture, Department of Architecture, Faculty of Art and Architecture, M ashhad Branch, Islamic Azad university, ,

Abstract Present article tries to assess three Iranian mosques architecture during 1000- 1700 A.D. based on architecture s tyles and different kingdoms. According to this, Khorasani, A zeri and Isfahani styles were compared in Ja meh, Goharshad and Sheikh Lotf A llah mosques. Ke ywo rds Iran ian mosques, , Safavid period, Goharshad , Ja meh mosque

nearest locations with the lowest price. 1. Introduction Introspection, the existence of the outdoor courtyard in the center of the structure[4] Classical architecture, especially te mple in general and mosque in particular is the image of the cos mos or man in his cos mic feature. The hu man body is the temple where spirit 2. Aesthetic Elements of Islamic has settled in. Monotheistic view of trad ition, not only Architecture in Iran comprises architecture and its entirety, but a lso includes Light is the main characteristic of , a every architectural element such as space, shape, color, light symbol of div ine wisdom and the manifestation of Go d that and matter. Since the unitarianis m vie w which is stressed in finds expression in his home which is the mosque. It also has Isla m does not deem anything beyond its gamut and does not an prominent role in reducing the rig idity and frigid ity of recognize the sphere of earthly wisdom, the entire Isla mic stone and structure. architecture, whatever its employment, is perceived as an As a res ult, sleek, polished on floors and s ometimes utter sacred architecture as mosque in its traditional mirror work in ceiling are utilized to bring forth a beautiful position[1]. reflection of light. Color is attained through light Iran's Isla mic architecture is influenced by two major amp lification and it represents a plurality which has innate branches: What is outside the indigenous and connection with unity. is the symbol of absolute being, What belongs to the indigenous culture of Iran before Is la m. sacredness, purity and tranquility wh ich can be observed in Application of arch, and on square base and the interior design of the mosque. Azure portrays the area veranda are derived from the Parthian (250-226 BC), within and the immensity of the sky, is the symbol Sassanid (224-652 BC) and Achaemenid period (559-321 of sanctity and yellow as the brightest color depicts BC.)[2]. With the commencement of Is la m, Iranian brightness and light which are a symbol of insight and architecture was influenced by China and the West comprehending. Green with the combination of yellow and piecemeal and subsequently new materia ls were replaced , is a sign of peace and hope and it is a mixture of science and emerged in the construction of mosques.[3]. Iranian and faith. wh ich is fo rtify ing, covers Caaba and it is Isla mic architecture principles include: the primary symbol of God. Water is the foundation of life Human adaptation: It means having human scale, i.e. a that cleanses filth. Water in the mosque is not only used for room is contemplated in ter ms of hu man needs. cleansing of eremites but also it reduces the rigidity of the Nyaresh: This term refers to things that sustain the structure. Water d iscoloration summons man toward structure. Including the static, build ing technology and discoloration and unpretentiousness, and its fluidness materia ls science. accentuates the frailty of the edifices that hu man-beings Self-efficacy means providing the material fro m the construct for their eternity. A different application of water in mosque is to reflect the image of the building in itself * Corresponding author: which creates a mirror fo r the observer.[5]. [email protected] (Mohammad Jooshesh) Published online at http://journal.sapub.org/arch The mosque is a place for worship and prayer. Man is Copyright © 2012 Scientific & Academic Publishing. All Rights Reserved striving to migrate to the spiritual c ity and reach fro m

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ignorance to lore and through traveling this way his spirit 3. Results will be discovered and the flesh is the means of this move. The study focus es on the comparison of the architecture of Accordingly, he has made places where he can unite the soul three mosques in three reigns, which are built in three and body. Including, Iranian mosques which while creating a different styles visual pleasure, induce a journey in spirituality to man. - Jāmeh Mos que of Isfahān, Khor asani style, Seljukid Mosques predominantly follow a fa irly simila r pattern and peri o d. This dynasty was founded in the eleventh century by include co mmon elements such as bedchamber, dome, the Gh a z Turks who came to Iran and Minor Asia in order to cloister, courtyard, portico and the altar which are occupy the fertile lands of Transoxania. constructed in the direction of Qib lah (Caaba) in . The Art flourish in t h is period was owed to the political peace of altar is analogized to rainbow and the arched portico is that period and one of the significant art wo rks of Seljukid analogized to mountain wh ich reflect nature. Different parts period is the Jāmeh Mosque of Is fah ān . Jameh mosque of of mosques are following: Lighthouse or with the Is fahan or Friday mosque, would be considered as the oldest meaning of focus of light, is one component of the mosque historic monument. The present façade of the building mos t ly which were made in the pas t as a guide for pedestrians lost in relates to the Seljukid dynasty, however, the upkeep and the des ert and awakening of the sleeping souls. However, the expansions refers to later period, especially that of Safavids. is an expression of divine guidance and direction. Archeological excavations, however, s ho ws s ig ns of the Dome With the regular division, the basis of which is a circ le previous kingdoms before Seljukid, such as Al-E-Buyeh and and is an image of an infinite whole, to regular polygons, one the third A.H. Pre-Islamic signs were spotted in these can discern smaller stars resembling polygons. The concept excavations. of dividing the circ le into equal arcs is a symbol of unity and There are a variety of entrances to the building, each of plurality to achieve unity. i.e all creations in the world with which relates an area to the surrounding environment; the the plurality at the s ame time are an indication of the entrances have not been built at the s ame t ime though they Almighty. Since the do me overlooks the sky, tree of heaven were designed in difference times in relat ion to the inside and (Tuba), is the best to decorate the interior surface. Using outside the building. The crossways around the mosque inverted tree indicates the world image in a mirror and is a proves the significant relation between the mosque with the symbol of heaven. The dome is usually built on a square or ancient part of the city. polygon and Iranian do mes are conical , joined and discrete. Jameh Mosque of has been built on a four-c loister Pool in the mosque, is located in the center of the courtyard basis; bas ed on various references and due to the collection which has flowing water. The pool is the mirror of water, of artistic and architectural of the 13 Isla mic image of the sky and seven color tiles. Thus, this is the mirror centuries, it is proven that the building was damaged and that makes possible the visit of the sky and the earth. rebuilt due to conflagration and mult iple wars, in addition to Myansra or apron: which is the central courtyard features the unrests in different periods. The mosque has been built in Isla mic architecture and it is considered to be the resting , fo llo wing pilla bedchamber plan wh ile place for travelers and a c leansing spot that is usually the plan has changed to the four-cloister in Ra zi style. The rectangular, square or polygonal. Apron is the access point to four clo isters around the square clarify the Pe rsian style of the bedchamber. The cloister, which has been popular since mosque construction which has affected other mosques as the Parthian period, consists of a vault and is opened and well. The clo isters which are na med Sofeh Saheb in the closed to apron from three sides. This element has input and South, Sofeh Darvish in the North, Sofeh Ostad in the West output spaces which prevents sunshine and causes the and Sofeh Shagerd in the Eas t of the building with airflo w and it is decorated by Muqarnas and brickwork, and adornments, elucidate one of the interesting techniques stucco and work . Cloister is referred to the columned of Persian architecture. None of these four cloisters contain a indoors existing around the apron. The columned complete ly blocked rib while the open rib of the cloisters is bedchambers have low height and are located around the toward the apron of the mosque; the walls of the other three dome. The altar which is usually located on the south side ribs lead to the bedchambers and surrounding salons. wall of the mosque with regards to the direction of qiblah is The internal surface of the mosque, the mina ret and tiles hollow or sunken into a part of the wall. Most mosques were are related to the 15 A.D which are like ly related to the s ame made in the city center, close to markets and the city hall period. The present main building of the mosque includes vicinity and provided the city needed more mosques, they following parts: The bedchamber of the mosque () were built by the government or philanthropists. The mosque which is anchored on circular pillars, adorned with was of ma jor significance that if there were no mosques in a extremely beautiful cornices and relates to Daila mis period. town, that town would be considered trivial. The plan Neza m-ol-mo lk do me and its forty pilla rs around it wh ich structure of the mosque was mainly single porch, double have been placed in the second cloister of the mosque and porch and four porch and a combinations of four arches and built in between the years 1044 to 1064 A.D.; the dome was porch which was derived fro m the architecture of Pa rthian built in the re ign of Male k Shah Se ljukid and consultation of and Sasanid period. Khajeh Nezam-ol-Molk and is of scarce examples of

Mohammad Jooshesh et al.: Comparison of Iranian Mosques Architecture in Three Dynasties 124

Seljukid kingdom. The front cloister of this brick do me has been built at 12 century and its is mixed with large muqarnas . The do me was adorned with the mos t beautiful patterns of brick and plaster. The aperture of the southern dome is 15 meters.

Fi gure 4. Oljaito altar

Taj-Al-Molk do me was built at 1060 A.D. which has been located at the Northern part of the mosque-yard and is the Fi gure 1. Jame Isfahan mosque opposite of Khajeh Neza m-al-Molk do me. Its construction is introduced to Taj-al-Molk, another vizier in Selju kid era. The dome is known as Taj-al-Molk do me and has the undertone of fire te mp le. The height and diameter of this muddy dome is 19.5 and 10.5 meters respectively. The clo ister known as Sofeh Saheb which has been built at Seljukid kingdom and its decorations are related to Gharaghoiounlu and Safavid eras. The western cloister known as Sofeh Ostad which was built as Se ljukid kingdom and adorned at Safavid period with tiles. So feh Shagerd has been located in front of th is cloister and built at Selju kid kingdom; adorations related to Ilkhanan th th and Safavid period in 14 and 17 century were added to it. Fi gure 2. Nezam-ol-m o lk do me This cloister is without any tile adornment and has been adorned with brick muqarnas. There is an exquisite alabaster in this cloister with plates and epigraphs around it. Sofeh O mar has been located at the final part of the eastern side of the building with decorative and historical lines on the ceiling. On the North of Ostad cloister is a s mall bedchamber which includes the mos t beautiful plaster altar. bedchamber is known as Ul-Ja ito mosque; the name of Sultan Khodabandeh Ilkhan before h is conversion to , who named hims e lf " Lord Servant," and his sophisticated vizier Muhammad Sav i and the date of construction, 1289 A.D., is seen. The mosque includes nine altars and two minarets (around the Southern cloister). A number of historians have mentioned two other minarets on the South and two more on the North which are ru ined totally. The mos t beautiful inla id pulpit in Ja meh Mosque of Isfahan is available who production late is not clear. Fro m Ul-Ja itu Mosque we get to Be it-Al-sheta winter bedchamber according to which epigraph it has been built in the command of Emad Ebn-Al-Moza far Varzaneyi in Timu r id kingdom. That's why it is known as Emad bedchamber as we ll. The glorious Fi gure 3. The columned bedchambers bedchamber includes short thick pillars and tent-like roo ms .

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In the middle of each arch spring is a transparent alabaster by climbing flowers; the surface of the cloister has been which casts bedchamber light. The main courtship of the filled with diaphoretic tiles with plant inscriptions. There are mosque includes four cloisters on the North, South, Eas t and bricks and tiling at the end of the cloister which depicts West (Figs 1-4)[6]. beautiful loops. Both sides of the clo ister inside it, there has Goharshad Mos que, Azeri style, Timurid period. been clos ed vaults which include brick and tiling and Iran was two times attacked by the Mongols in the 13th turquoise is the main color on the walls, which makes a and 14th centuries . In the 14th century, launched an wonderful d isplay on the brick background. attack on Iran with extensive destruction and massacre. After The floor of the c loister has been furnished with alabaster Timur 's death, his son assumed power. He was and plinths are covered with dark alabaster. The whole interested in creating art work and began to construct ceiling has been coated with tiles and 21 octagon s t ars has religious buildings. been surrounded by an epigraph. There are white epigraphs Among the mos t important relig ious monuments of this on a dark a zure background inside the cloister. period we can indicate which was The Eastern Clo ister. This cloister is known as Haji constructed by the command of the wife of Shah Rukh in the Hassan. The floor, like others, has been furnished with early 15th century, in the south of the Holy Shrine of I ma m alabaster and plinths have been coated with dark alabaster. Re za (I ma m of Sh i'a Islam). Goharshad grand The bedchambers. On three sides, there are bedchambers mosque building has been made up of brick and plaster in the called Nahavandi, Golpayegani or Milani, Na jaf Abadi, Eastern architectural style. The whole area of the mosque is Sarabbi of warm bedchamber and Sheikh Gh o la m Hossein. almos t 9410 square meters with peripheries 109.30 meters All the bedchambers have been covered with wh ite plaster, fro m the West, 107.80 meters fro m the Eas t, 87 meters fro m the simplic ity of wh ich tranquilizes the visitor. the North and 98.65 meters fro m the South. There are seven entrance gates for the mosque nowadays including an entrance from the Holy Shrine. A large courtship has been located in the middle of the mosque with 50×55 meter approximate dimensions which is restricted to four cloisters named (Maqsureh) Southern, (Dar-Al-Syadeh) Northern, (Haji Hassan) Eastern and (Aqua Cloister) Western fro m the ma il navigational points and twp-storey porticos. The dome of the mosque which has been located on the Maqsureh cloister and made up of turquoise tile. The height of the dome is 40 meters with a 10-meter diameter. The Fi gure 5. Goharshad mosque underneath armature is known as skullcap wh ile the second armature of the do me is external which is v isible fro m the outside. Based on the experts' ideas, the do me was removed complete ly in 1962 and a new do me was made with new tools and stuff. The dome is built on a low-height cylindrical leg and the main part of the dome begins with a smooth arc and takes the shape of a hemisphere with and extended a xis which ma kes an innovatively beautiful form. The do me is thick and ventricular. The t iling around the dome is homogenous turquoise tile. Maqsureh cloister is the biggest one in the mosque which is known as Qiblah cloister too. The dome has been located on top of it and the altar has been positioned inside. The length of the cloister is 37 and its gate is almos t 13 mete rs . The Northern c loister. This shallow clo ister is known as Simp le Clo ister and has a way to Dar-Al-Syadeh. The ce iling of the cloister has been covered with tiles of white on the background and yellow Kufi handwriting and Chinese loops. Fi gure 6. seven co lors tiles in ornament at ion It includes borders with plant drawings which gets to the front cloister, covered with brick and tile . Minarets. Minarets of the mosque have been placed on the The Wes tern cloister. The cloister is known as Aqua two sides of the Maqsureh cloister which are 41-meter long Cloister and leads to Sheikh Baha-Al-Din A meli, Isla mic cylinders fro m the floor. The diameter of each minaret is 3 Republic courtship and Dar-Al-Velayat portico of holy meters. Patterns of flo wers and plants or sharp narrow leaves shrine of I ma m Re za. An a zure dark blue on the background which have been worked on diaphoretic tiles would be epigraph with wh ite handwriting which has been surrounded mentioned as secondary patterns. The b a s is of each nosegay

Mohammad Jooshesh et al.: Comparison of Iranian Mosques Architecture in Three Dynasties 126

begins from the outside surface which is rare on the two side The other side tends to a normal curvature; the curvature in of the clo ister. There are flowers on both minarets on which whole is so norma l that is rarely fe lt or seen. The internal the names of Go d were mentioned; the nosegays have been tiling of the dome fro m the beginning to the end is almos t the filled with diaphoretic tiles which are made in co mpilation s ame s ize wh ich constitutes the adornment of the dome. The with bric k. The complication has been checked and flower lateral walls of the courtship are decorated with attached blue patterns of the tiling divided into two parts. The number of flowers and bushes with a cream handwriting. The internal flowe r patterns get to almos t 180 in each nosegay.[7],[8],[9] decorations include la rge repetitious yellowish golden s t ars (Figs. 5- 7) which are covered with interweaved iv ies. There are holes in the diameter of the dome on an orderly basis which are closed by plaster windows fro m the inside and outside. Sheikh Lotf A llah mosque has some critica l differences with other mosques of Isfahan. It includes no courtship as well as a minaret. The do me of the mosque and the two roofs are monolithic. The mosque, in contrast to others, is s ma ll and is a s mall chapel, indeed (Figs. 8- 10)

Fi gure 7. Maqsoureh cloister

Sheikh Lotf Allah Mos que, Is fah ani style, Safavid peri o d. The mosque of Sheikh was built by command of Shah Abbas Safavi . In the first half of 17th century. Sheikh Lotf A llah who was a religious scientists from Lebanon came to Iran and became Shah Abbas’s father-in-la w. The mosque was built for him as a place to pray and a school Fi gure 8. Sh eikh Lotf Allah mosque with cream dome which was located in the eas t of Naghshe Jahan Square and opposite the Ali Qapu palace. Th is mosque is unique in the form of dome and tile work. Since the mosque has been located on the east side of the square, inevitably the entrance will be on the east side of the square and if they were to build the mosque in this direction, navigation would have been perplexing. To solve this problem, a corridor was built fro m the entry of the mosque to the left and then to the right. Although the building of the mosque is in the east and fro m the exterior vie w one can perceive that its wall is in north to south direction, the a ltar is built in this wall and it is toward Qib lah. In such a way that in the exterior form of the mosque Fi gure 9. Int erior ornament at ion there is no sign of tilt and angle[3]. The dome of Sheikh Lotf Allah is one the various uni-covered of the Sa favid kingdom which with its low height is considered as a suitable cover for its courtship. On the other side, its height is that it can parade n e xt to the la rge square. The curvature of the dome is turned inside fro m the great bump and has made the pinnacle of the dome. Such structure puts the thick wa lls of the mosque under the pressure and includes cream decorations with dark blue patterns. The diameters of the walls which could be measured fro m the windows are almos t 170 centimeters. The internal wa lls start from an octagon. Fi gure 10. Interior ceiling ornamentat ion The octagons are surrounded by turquoise rope-like tiles and beautiful lines enclose the octagonal s ides as of a frame. The lines are made with bone white tiles amongst dark blue ones; 4. Discussion the degrees of thes e octagons bas e a large curve; therefore, the gradual curvature of the dome conceals the beginning Above mentioned mosques have three different styles. We point of the curvature and its great circle. Kite-like embowed could see a tend fro m s imp le to co mple x structure. For walls divide the curvature of the dome into octagonal sides. example, in Ja meh Isfahan mosque, Khorasani style is

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observed with rectangular p lan, bedchamber space or 40 observe the apex of ornamentation and tiling, mosque has columns, s imple and without ornamentation of the bare become a special art work which for a Muslim establishes bricks and decorative bricks and mud s ometimes use a single spiritual state and brings visual joy as we ll, and for a tourist, minaret in the north building, elliptical arcs, egg width. miracle of drawings and beautiful graphic is displayed at the Goharshad mosque has been built based on Azeri style with mosque. construction of large buildings, according to the vertical proportions, ma king the The porch with rectangular p lan, diversity in the the porch, the use of decorations, such as plaster, tile and tile embossed gold, ma king the throat or shoot. Finally, Sheikh Lotf Allah mosque has been built as REFERENCES Isfahani style. It is identified with rectangular p lan or a [1] Ardalan N., Bakhtiar, L, The sense of Unity, 1991. (In simp le polygon, h igh quality materials and durable porch Persian). plans, the use of tile seven colors[10],[11]. [2] Javadi, A, Iranian Architecture, M ojarad publisher, 1984. (In Persian). 5. Conclusions [3] Afshar Hamdari, Gh, Iran architecture, 2nd ed. Farhangan publisher, Tehran, 1991, (In Persian). With regard to the architecture of mosques in Iran, it can [4] Pirnia, M. K, of Iran, Elm va Sanat be noted that in general architecture of pre-Isla m has been University of Iran, Tehran, 1995. (In Persian). very influentia l in the construction of mosques in Iran. The [5] Soltanzadeh, H, Presentation of water in Iranian architecture, implementation of minaret, dome and the porch which are st related to the Achaemenid, Parthian and Sasanid confirms Proceeding of 1 congress of co-thinking of Art and nature elements (water, soil, fire, air), Art culture school, 1995 (In this issue. In fact, the utilization of these buildings in Persian). mosques was aligned with the goal of building mosque which is the s ame as prayer, solitude and deep med itation of [6] Golombek, L, Wilber, D, The Timurid Architecture of Iran self and the creation. In mosques, the strive is to create and Turan. Princeton: Princeton University Press. 1988. tranquility, silence and attention to Go d wh ich is [7] Willber, D. N, The architecture of Islamic Iran: The Il Khanid characterized in its water, color and lighting. In Is la m, period, (Princeto monographs in Art s and Archaeology, flowers and plants and birds were only to be inserted , for no Praeger publisher, 1988. prophet is portrayable and Go d cannot be perceived and [8] Afsar, K & Kiani, M .Y, Timurid architecture in Iran and mosque is the place for the manifestation of the visage of Turan, 1996. (In Persian). Go d which plants and birds are a symbol of God. As it is [9] Byron, R, "Timurid Architecture". In A Survey of comprehended regarding the Kingdom periods, Selijukid (Arthur Up ham Pope and Phyllis Ackerman, eds.).: Soroush period mosques resemble those of Arabs and lack Press, 1119-1164, Tehran, 1977. ornamentation and tile work. Decoration was done on brick and Muqarnas and they were norma lly single -minaret. In the [10] Gharehvashi, M. (translated), Dialofoa travel account in Qajar period, Khaiam publishing. Tehran, 1982. (In Persian). Timur id period huge buildings construction was a show of strength which resulted in the construction of big mosques. [11] Rafiei Mehrabadi, A, National works of Isfahan, National Tiling with seven special colors and stemmed do mes are the works of Iran publishing, Tehran, 1974. (In Persian). features of t h is period. In the Safavid period mosques we can