Nasir al-Mulk Mosque

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• The history of the Nasir al-Mulk Mosque construction
• The interior of the mosque
• The significance of the mosque

The Nasir al-Mulk Mosque, one of the most memorable sights of Shiraz, is located in the historical centre of the city. Renowned for its stunning array of colours, it leaves a lasting impression on every visitor.

The history of the Nasir al-Mulk Mosque construction

The mosque was constructed in the 19th century, during the Qajar dynasty period, on the orders of one of the court aristocrats of Mirza Hassan Ali Nasir al-Mulk, Minister of Finance .

An interesting story is connected with the construction of this mosque. Hassan Ali, son of an influential mayor of Shiraz, Ali Akbar Qawam al-Mulk, travelled extensively in Iran. It happent that while Hassan Ali was away, his father died. He only learned of Ali Akbar's funeral upon his return to Shiraz and swore to himself to build a tomb and bury his father with dignity. So Hassan Ali ordered the construction of the mosque, which is named after the Nasir al-Mulk Mosque. Later, Mirza Hassan Nasir al-Mulk himself was also buried beside his father in this mosque.

The construction lasted for more than 12 yearsand involved leading architects and artists from Shiraz including Mohammed Hassan Memar and Mohammed Reza Kashipaz Shirazi, both of whom participated in the project. Various traditional elements of Islamic architecture were used, including numerous geometric design, as well as the use of tiles and ornaments. The significance of this building is of such a magnitude that in 1966 the Iranian Government made the decision to declare the mosque a site of historical heritage.

The interior of the mosque

The Nasir al-Mulk Mosque covers an area of 2,890 square meters and is accessible through three entrances. The main entrance of the mosque is decorated with muqarnas and lined with tiles featuring floral ornaments of roses and irises of Shiraz, all harmoniously designed in a single colour palette. Tones of pink predominates in the decoration of the mosque, which is why it is also called the «Pink Mosque».At the entrance, there is an inscription engraved with the name of the architect, along with lines from a poem by the Persian poet Saadi:

• «These words are but to remind us

• For else, no permanence is traced in life

• Hoping a pure mystic, a man of heart

• May pray for us, poor souls, as an act of grace»

The courtyard of the Nasir al-Mulk Mosqueis an open space located in the centre of the building. It is entirely decorated with glossy seven-colour tiles, adding a special beauty to the space. Each of the tiles is inscribed with lines from the Koran. The abundance of floral ornaments and calligraphy in the décor stems from the Islamic prohibition against depicting human figures. The mosque is also directed towards the Qibla wall. This tradition is often observed in the architecture of the Islamic world in order to indicate the direction for prayer.

The most famous section of the mosque is its western nave, a covered space supported by 12 columns. This unique architectural complex is decorated with painted tiles depicting roses.

The significance of the mosque

Currently the Nasir al-Mulk Mosque functions primarily as a museum. It is believed that the Nasir al-Mulk Mosque ceased its religious functions due to its integration of numerous Western architectural elements. This infusion originates from the policies of Qajar dynasty representatives, who were largely oriented towards the West, trying to enrich the traditional Persian style with new architectural techniques. However, art historians have not yet come to a consensus on whether the Qajars have succeeded in improving the traditions.

The best time to visit the mosque is at dawn, when the rays of the rising sun penetrate the prayer hall, passing through a multicoloured mosaic of stained glass windows, creating a kaleidoscope of vibrant colour patterns. These windows rival the beauty of Venetian glass and are also found in the historical homes of Kashan, such as the house of Tabatabai, a famous Islamic philosopher, which dates to the Qajar period.

Its stained glass windows, in particular, make it a must-see attraction for anyone visiting Shiraz. It offers an unforgettable visual experience for enthusiasts of both Persian and Western - influenced architecture, as well as for tourists and photographers alike.