Imam Mosque, Semnan
The Imam Mosque of Semnan, also known as the Imam Khomeini Mosque and the Soltani Mosque, is a mosque located in the city of Semnan, Semnan province, Iran.
Commenced in 1612 CE and completed in, during the Qajar era, the mosque is a magnificent example of architecture, stone carving, and tile work in Iran, with a majesty and splendour that places it among the world's greatest buildings. The mosque was added to the Iran [National Heritage List] on 20 June 1936, administered by the Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization of Iran.
Architecture
Construction of the mosque commenced in 1612 CE during the reign of Abbas the Great and is one of several mosques commissioned by the Shah in a similar style. The mosque is considered a magnificent example of architecture, stone carving, and tile work in Iran, with a majesty and splendour that places it among the world's greatest buildings.The mosque was designed on a four-iwan courtyard style. The doors to the northern, southern and eastern sides have a vestibule and corridors. The upper portion of the northern and eastern doors are arched and artistically worked in plaster and tile with beautiful Muqarnas. The ceilings of the vestibules, on the north, south, and eastern sides are constructed of bricks, and are domed shaped with numerous arches and designed with tiles. There are four porches on four sides along with an area for nocturnal prayers. Behind the western porch is an inscription revealing the final date of construction. The northern entrance has a Persian blue tile inscription under which a slab of marble with a poem inscribed in Nastaliq script.
Beside the altar, the marble Mihrab has eleven steps and there are two unfinished minarets. On the top of western porch is a small dome adorned with blue tiles. There is also a tiled inscription from the Quran, all around the western porch worked in white tiles on a blue tiled background. The sahn contains a pool and flowerbeds. After the 1979 Iranian revolution, the mosque was repaired by the Cultural Heritage Organization.