Avash News: Currently, the dossiers of these Iranian mosques have been uploaded on the UNESCO website as proposed nominations. The dossier includes 17 mosques, including: the Fahraj Mosque in Yazd, Tarikhaneh Mosque in Damghan, the Grand Mosque of Saveh, the Grand Mosque of Neyriz, the Grand Mosque of Natanz, the Grand Mosque of Isfahan, the Grand Mosque of Ardestan, the Grand Mosque of Yazd, the Grand Mosque of Zavareh, the Grand Mosque of Gonabad, the Grand Mosque of Shah in Isfahan, the Grand Mosque of Malek Zuzan, Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque, Aqa Bozorg Mosque, Sepahsalar Mosque, and the Grand Mosques of Naein and Semnan.
Meanwhile, Ali Darabi, the deputy head of the Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization, stated during a ceremony commemorating the Grand Mosques:
“The dossier of 36 historic mosques from across the country is being prepared to be submitted to UNESCO.”
The proposed dossier describes Iranian mosques as follows:
“The architecture of Iranian mosques – due to the construction techniques and spatial designs, which are rooted in pre-Islamic Iranian architectural traditions – is unique and outstanding, particularly with respect to their spatial, architectural, and spiritual qualities.”
Regarding the history of mosque architecture in Iran, there are essentially two types: first, mosques built in the early Islamic period, and second, those that are distinctively Iranian. The first type often features columned Shabestans.
Mosques in Iran have been inspired by pre-Islamic architecture and have developed a distinctive spatial organization. In addition, the fusion of elements from pre-Islamic fire temples, architectural influences from the Hejaz, and Islamic beliefs has resulted in a unique Iranian-Islamic architectural style. The Iranian mosque represents a prominent model for mosque design in the Islamic world.
