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Jameh Mosque of Isfahan
Best time to visit
Early morning, right after opening, when the light is best for photography and there are the fewest visitors. Afternoon hours bring spectacular plays of light through winding sunbeams that pierce the openings in the domes.
Budget tips
The entrance fee is about 200,000 Iranian rials (less than 1 EUR for foreigners), and on the same day you can also visit the nearby bazaar for free since the mosque entrance is from within it. Bring cash because foreign cards do not work in Iran.
Recommended for
Lovers of architecture and art history, Photographers and artists, Travelers seeking a spiritual atmosphere, Connoisseurs of Islamic culture
Plan your visit
1.5-2 hours
About
Quick facts: The domes of this mosque represent a true architectural laboratory of Islamic art, where styles from as many as four different historical periods can be seen. Here, the brick dome construction techniques that would later become the hallmark of Persian architecture were perfected.
Highlights: Beneath the southern dome hides an acoustic phenomenon: a whisper uttered at one end of the room is perfectly heard at the far opposite wall, even when the room is full of people. Imams used this sound secret over the centuries to amplify their prayers without any modern devices.
Insider tips
- Be sure to wear comfortable slippers or shoes that are easy to remove, as you enter the mosque barefoot or in socks.
- The best photos of the northern iwan (portal) are taken in the early afternoon when the sun illuminates the brick at a sharp angle.
- Look for the 14th-century mihrab covered with tiles bearing inscriptions in Kufic script, one of the finest examples of Mongol art in Iran.
- Avoid Friday at noon when the mosque is filled with worshippers and closed to tourists.
Where to Stay in Isfahan
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