Nasir Al Mulk Mosque
We cannot talk about the attractions of Fars Province and not mention the Nasir Al Mulk Mosque in Shiraz which is also known as the Pink Mosque. This masterpiece captivates everyone with its beauty. Join Persiana Travel and Tourism Agency to get comprehensive information about Nasir Al Mulk Mosque of Shiraz.
Introduction of Nasir Al Mulk Mosque
Nasir Al Mulk Mosque is one of the old mosques in Shiraz, which is located in Good Arab neighborhood, south of Lotfali Khan Zand Street, near Shah Cheragh Shrine with the area of more than 2 thousand square meters. Nasir Al Mulk Mosque is perhaps the most beautiful mosque in Shiraz and watching its stained glass, high arches and beautiful tiles is one of the dreams of every tourist. As soon as you reach the wooden door, your will observe the tiles of roses and lilies of Shiraz and a wonderful Muqarnas.
What is very noticeable in Nasir Al Mulk Mosque is the use of pink tiles, and this has led it to be called the Pink Mosque. Nasir Al Mulk Mosque has a beautiful entrance and porch and a large courtyard and two summer and winter naves and has two porches in the north and south of the courtyard. The entrance has a large arched façade, the roof of which is decorated with colorful tiles.
The mosque has two naves, east and west. Nasir Al Mulk Mosque has a large courtyard that is located on the north side of it. After crossing the porch and entering the square courtyard, everything looks like other mosques in Iran.
Nasir Al Mulk Mosque has beautiful tile designs and rectangular pools between the courtyards. Shortly after you reach the nave, you will notice the difference between this religious building. The colored glasses of bedchamber of Nasir Al Mulk Mosque lets the sunlight shines through them and reflects them inside of the mosque. Construction of Nasir Al Mulk Mosque took about 12 years and started from 1876 to 1888. After more than 150 years, Nasir Al Mulk Mosque is still used for praying by the people, and its beauties and unique appearance have caused its name to be registered in the list of national monuments of Iran from February 1954 with the number 369.
History
In 1876, the governor of Fars, Mirza Hassan Ali Khan, nicknamed Nasir Al Mulk, ordered the construction of Nasir Al Mulk Mosque to leave a mosque in his memory. According to the inscription on the entrance of Nasir Al Mulk Mosque, master Haj Mohammad Hassan and Mirza Reza Kashigar were in charge of construction of this mosque. The construction of Nasir Al Mulk Mosque was financed from the taxes of the people, which the clerics of that time refused to receive in cash. After 12 years the construction of Nasir Al Mulk Mosque was completed in 1888. There was no trace of colored glasses in Nasir Al Mulk Mosque but the stained-glass doors and windows of the nave were made and added to the mosque by Professor Haj Mirza Ayat in 1969.
Nasir Al Mulk Mosque was originally a complex consisting of a mosque, a house, a bathhouse and a warehouse; But a large part of it, including the interior and entrance of the house, bath, water storage and the space between the house was destroyed during the construction of Lotfali Khan Zand new street, and today no trace of it can be seen in Nasir Al Mulk Mosque. The use of stained glasses in the interior design of Iranian architecture as well as in churches has been common. But using this unique beauty in Nasir Al Mulk Mosques is really exclusive and amazing. Renovation and maintenance of the magnificent Nasir Al Mulk Mosque began many years ago and has undergone two repairs until now:
The first period was about 70 years ago to repair floor coverings.
The second period from 1991 to 2006.
Today, these reconstructions are more or less continuing and the cost is provided from the income of the endowments of the mosque and the endowment of Nasir Al Mulk himself.
Porches of Nasir Al Mulk Mosque
Nasir Al Mulk Mosque has two porches in the north and south that are not symmetrical. On the northern front of the Nasir Al Mulk Mosque, 4 pavilions can be seen on both sides of the porch. In the southern part, there is a porch with two garlands. In the courtyard, there is a large rectangular stone pool with stone fountains in the middle. On the north side of Nasir Al Mulk Mosque, there is a tall arch known as the Pearl Arch, which entire body and exterior and interior are tiled in seven colors. Two other small arches are located on either side of the pearl arch. On the south side of Nasir Al Mulk Mosque, there is an arch that the whole body and its outer and inner surface are designed with tiled ceramics. These two porches are decorated with delicate Muqarnas and Islimi designs.
The most beautiful part of Nasir Al Mulk Mosque is the Pearl Porch. This enchanting porch, which is located in the northern nave, has the most beautiful decorations of the mosque. The use of turquoise monochrome tiles and carved stone columns, which are engraved on the wall with seven-color patterns and with a special twist, has made it Mosque the most beautiful part of Nasir Al Mulk in terms of architecture and design. The Pearl Porch of Nasir Al Mulk Mosque was known as the Pen Bowl Porch in the past, but now it is called the Pearl porch. The reason for this naming is the indentation created in the arches of the north porch courtyard. It should be noted that the indentation of the oyster in which the pearl is placed is called a bowl.
Nave of Nasir Al Mulk Mosque
The western nave of Nasir Al Mulk Mosque is one of the most beautiful naves of Iranian mosques. This nave has become a unique architectural complex with a collection of tile and brick decorations, tile paintings with paintings of roses, beautiful ceilings with extraordinary tiles and designs and very beautiful stone columns. The arch of the western nave has 12 stone pillars, which are a symbol of the 12 Infallible Imams and has seven gates that connect to the courtyard of Nasir Al Mulk Mosque.
The floor of this nave is carpeted with colored turquoise tiles. These tiles, due to their color, create a nice vibe in this nave. Western nave of Nasir Al Mulk Mosque has beautiful stained glasses which provide a beautiful glow of the reflection of sunlight into the nave. This reflection creates the mixture of colors in the nave which encourages the traveler to wake up in the early morning and watch this beauty. The best time to visit the western nave of Nasir Al Mulk Mosque is 8 AM to 10 AM. The eastern nave of Nasir Al Mulk Mosque has warmer weather and mostly was used in winter because it is not exposed to sunlight.
The roof of this nave is tiled and has 7 simple pillar columns. Now, this part of Nasir Al Mulk Mosque has been turned into an endowment museum. Behind the eastern nave of Nasir Al Mulk Mosque, there is a door that opens to the well which supply the water of pond in the courtyard of it.
In this article Persiana Travel and Tourism Agency helped you to become acquainted with Nasir Al Mulk Mosque of Shiraz. As we said, Nasir Al Mulk Mosque is one of the most beautiful and magnificent historical monuments of Shiraz, perhaps less known to many people. It is a must-see place.