Isfahan Jami Mosque 1

Iran contributed significantly to the Islamic architecture and we may consider the implementation
of the four-porch design and the cylindrical minaret shape as its culmination. Isfahan Jami Mosque,
also known as the Atiq Jami Mosque and the Juma Mosque (for Friday’s prayer) of Isfahan, is one
of the historical monuments of the city of Isfahan dating back to the 2nd century AH.

Figure 1 Isfahan Jami Mosque

The mosque was built in the year 156 AH / 777 AD, a mosque that was small and proportional to
the population of the city of Isfahan and contributed to the urbanization of Isfahan. In the year 226
AH / 846, under the command of Khalifa Mutassim Abbasi, the former mosque was destroyed,
and the building was erected along with a wooden roof, which now remains part of the pillars and
walls. However, the most important changes occurred during the Seljuk period; the architects of
this period separated from the pattern of the "Arab mosque" and created a new style with the
construction of four porches on the northern, southern, eastern and western sides, which became

1
Masjid-i-Jami
known as the "Iranian mosque." In 515 AH this mosque was burnt by the Ismailis, which was
restored in the following times. In the following centuries and in the periods of the Ilkhani,
Muzaffari, Timurid, Safavid, and Qajar, the mosque also made significant changes.

Figure 2 decoration with muqarnas and enamels

The poches were constructed in an axial plan with the same sizes and made to face each other The
four corners of the mosque were enclosed by four architectural porches. Mihrab's location and
Qibla's orientation are acknowledged by the southern porch widening. The involvement of these
parts is also highlighted by two cylindrical minarets. The vaulting design of the construction is
indeed very noteworthy with around 200 vaults constructed with wonderful craftmanship and
abilities, predominantly barrels and dome ceilings. The significant implementation of muqarnas to
decorate several squinches and domes covers is also a tremendous aspect of the Jami Mosque and
has impressive historical significance. The exterior of the construction is mostly coated with
enamel. Also, the porches are decorated with muqarnas and enamels.
 Figure 3 Interior decorations of the dome

The northern side of the mosque is composed of Darvish Porch, Mozafari school, Tajmoluk dome
or Dome of Khaki, Chehelsotun, nave (Shabestan) and various inscriptions from the Seljuk and
Safavid times. These inscriptions are made using gypsum and brick and are decorated with lines
like Kofi, Nastalik and some verses from the Koran. The southern side of the mosque is the
sidewalks where the main constructions were designed in Arabic style and made by clay. During
the Nizam al-Mulk era, with the destruction of the nave, a dome was constructed in two layers
form, which made the dome displayed more highlighted. The western side includes the winter
nave, al-Ja'yatou Mihrab and inscriptions of Safavid kings. Part of the walls of this side is the brick
wall made in the eighth century AH. The tallest part of the mosque is the eastern side belonging to
the Seljuk period. This section was destroyed over time and was rebuilt during the era of King
Solomon Safavi, and the relics related to this reconstruction are also on the eastern porch.
Inscriptions from the Hutkian era, Muzaffarian and Shah Tahmasb Safavid also remain in this
section.
 Figure 4 The southern porch
I believe Each of these structures had a greater significance, hidden behind its appearance and
great reason for its architectural design. For example, the design and general configuration of the
arrangement demonstrate the philosophy of Islam as a simple matter, as most religious
constructions at that time preceded the fundamentals used in construction. It must have been the
choice to construct the vaults and an echo chamber 12 meters wide that the dialogue across the
construction was also essential so that a speaker in the chamber could be heard at any corners of
the structure. The enamel tile, which covers almost the whole surface, illustrates the Persian poetic
on flowers as well as the attraction for a prosperous life. Many harmonic patterns around the
construction are traditional, and the Iranian motive for attraction for fertility and abundance also
seems to have been emphasized there explicitly. The described design is noteworthy and
innovative, as it utilizes intellectual works to create a tone of culture and traditions that are the two
most significant elements of the characteristics.
The Cathedral of Florence, designed between the 13th and 15th centuries and though completed
in the 19th century, is a monument of the construction of the Jami Mosque design. The outside of
the construction is decorated in marble with pink blends of white and green. The use of marble on
the outside is analogous to the Masjid-i-Jami but differs in the colorings. At the time of its
development, the dome of Filippo Brunelleschi that incorporates the cathedral of Florence has
been the world's largest.

Figure 5 Florence cathedral octagonal dome

Rigorous pillars sustain the double shell composition that resembles traditional gothic design. The
cathedral's dome has an octangular form motivated by Baptistry. A splendid fresco sequence
decorates the inside ceiling of the dome. The higher the paintings, the 24 elders of the apocalypse
are portrayed, with a combination of elements illustrated above the dome.

The use of domes in both structures makes them similar and creates the conceptualization of a
masterpiece of art. In both structures, the religious concept demonstrated using marble art is also
the same, although they have been constructed in different locations and era. The Florentine
cathedral's design was motivated to build a huge religious structure in neighboring towns such as
Milan which could compete with comparable construction settings.
 Figure 6 frescos on the interior of the dome

References
Figure 2 [Online]
Available at:
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/77/Florence_Duomo_from_Michelangelo_hill.jpg

Figure 3. [Online]
Available at: https://www.thewholeworldisaplayground.com/best-photo-locations-florence/

Figure 4 [Online]
Available at: http://www.islamicartz.com/story/Tyjb-Jo8zrC21Skc3o5rQ_MIIauKGI41mDdl_ghWNtg

Figure 5 &6.
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:%D8%A7%DB%8C%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%86_%D8%AC%D9%8
6%D9%88%D8%A8%DB%8C_%D9%85%D8%B3%D8%AC%D8%AF_%D8%AC%D8%A7%D9%85%D8%B9_%
D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%86.jpg. [Online].