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Masjid-i-Shah, Isfahan is one of the most well known Tourist Attractions in Isfahan which you cannot miss while you are on your Isfahan Tours. Masjid-i-Shah, Isfahan was built as the space for public worship in the new urban plan for Isfahan by Shah Abbas. The construction work for the mosque was completed during the reign of Safi I, the successor of Shah Abbas.

The grand and imposing entrance of the Masjid-i-Shah, Isfahan is recessed into the center of the arcade on the south wall. There is a domed vestibule between the entrance portal and the central four-iwan courtyard of the mosque. The domed vestibule enters the apse of the north iwan at an interesting 45 degree angle. This passage holds the angle between the mosque orientation toward Mecca and the meydan axis with which the entrance is aligned. The architectural plan beyond the entrance is symmetrical on the North-South axis. You will find that each of the south, east and west iwans leads to a domed chamber. Among them, the south iwan or ‘qibla’ is flanked by eight-domed winter prayer halls. These winter prayer halls will further lead you to courtyards and these courtyards are lined by arcades which function as ‘madrasas’. Both the entry portal and the south iwan feature minarets.

The southern dome of the Masjid-i-Shah in Isfahan is the largest one and the only one decorated. It is a bulbous form supported on a tall drum. There is a base of marble revetment around the courtyard and iwans. You will find this marble revetment in the entrance portal also. The tiles above this are mainly replacements from those of the 1930's. These are polychrome glazed tiles. The entrance portal is also decorated with similar tiles but these are of an inferior quality. The portal of the mosque features galleries and recesses. The surface is covered with tile mosaic which is intricately designed. The semi-dome is filled with muqarnas. The arches are bordered with turquoise cable moldings.

Apart from Masjid-i-Shah, Isfahan, there are the Ali Qapu Palace, Imam Mosque, Isfahan Royal Square, Vank Cathedral, Chehel Sotoun Palace, Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque, Naqsh-e-Jahan Square, Shaking Minarets, Atashgah, Si-o-Se Bridge and Khajou Bridge which you can visit.

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