Shah Mosque (Tehran)

Throughout the Muslim world, mosques are of great religious significance. In addition, they display the rich Islamic architecture, boosting the intricate tile-work, calligraphy, stucco, and other decorative arts. Among the mosques which were built during the Qajar era, a number of them are known as Sultani (royal) mosques or Shah mosques. These constructions were built in different cities, like Boroujerd, Tehran, Qazvin, Semnan etc, by the order of Fath-Ali Shah (the second Qajarid king) to confirm the legitimacy of the Qajar dynasty. The Sultani Mosque of Tehran is a four-porch (four ayvans) mosque, located in the Grand Bazaar. The minarets and the clock were added later during the reign of Naser al-din Shah. The mosque is graced with attractive decorations inspired by Vakil mosque in Shiraz. James Morier, the British diplomat who visited the half-built mosque around 1807, wrote: “it is the only significant building in Tehran which is built during Fath-Ali Shah's reign”.   

Moreover, the magnificent Sultani Mosque (today known as Imam Mosque) witnessed so many historically important events in Iran. One of these prominent events is the public punishment of some well-known merchants of Tehran's bazaar, due to the increased price of sugar. This event, burdened with much political significance, ignited protests which lead to the Constitutional Revolution. Another important event which happened in this mosque is the assassination of the prime minister of Iran, Ali Razm Ara, in 1951. 

In order to enjoy the history and architecture of Qajars, you can enter the mosque from the northern gate, which is its main entrance. The western gate is connected to the Grand Bazaar, and the Eastern one opens to the Safahan Bazaar.