Masjid-i Jameh, Isfahan
Name of Building
Masjid-i Jameh, Isfahan
Town or City, Country where the building was originally established
Isfahan, Iran
Date the building was designed and/or first built
Original construction: 8th century (Abbasid period)
Major reconstructions: Seljuk (11th–12th c.), Ilkhanid, Timurid, Safavid
Major reconstructions: Seljuk (11th–12th c.), Ilkhanid, Timurid, Safavid
Name of Architect, Builder, or Primary Patron Responsible
Multiple dynasties (Abbasid, Seljuk, Ilkhanid, Timurid, Safavid)
Architects and builders unknown
Architects and builders unknown
Culturally Specific Time Period
Abbasid; Seljuk; Ilkhanid; Timurid; Safavid
Geo-Location
Latitude: 32.6613 N
Longitude: 51.6838 E
Longitude: 51.6838 E
Materials
Brick
stucco
glazed tile
carved stone
stucco
glazed tile
carved stone
Size and/or Scale of Building
Large congregational mosque with courtyards, domes, iwans, and multiple expansion phases
Architectural Type
Religious
Building Description
The Masjid-i Jameh in Isfahan exists as a large congregational mosque which developed through various architectural stages to create its current design with four monumental iwans surrounding a central courtyard and extensive domed prayer halls that show the expansion of time. The structure uses brick as its fundamental material while decorative elements made from stucco and glazed tile and carved stone create intricate geometric patterns and pointed arches and muqarnas vaulting throughout the building. The building connects its domed rooms to the outdoor courtyard through pathways which show the transition between Seljuk brickwork and Safavid decorative elements. The mosque served as Isfahan's central prayer area which united religious activities with educational functions and community representation throughout history. The mosque shows how Islamic architecture in Iran developed through time by uniting original spatial designs with advanced decorative elements. The building exists as a historical architectural record which displays Iran's Islamic and dynastic past through its architectural design and materials.
Names(s) and location(s) of the museum holding the object(s)
N/A
Image source
Image 1:https://smarthistory.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/8610407451_5291a54c4a_4k-scaled.jpg
Image 2: https://cdn.elebase.io/173fe953-8a63-4a8a-8ca3-1bacb56d78a5/cfde4589-fdde-4374-9f64-a180699ae38d-isfahan1.jpg?q=75
Image 3: https://images.pexels.com/photos/12941958/pexels-photo-12941958.jpeg?_gl=1*rlo5e7*_ga*MjA0MzQ2MDQxNi4xNzY1MTY3NjI0*_ga_8JE65Q40S6*czE3NjUxNzQ5NjckbzMkZzEkdDE3NjUxNzQ5OTckajMwJGwwJGgw
Image 4: https://cdn.elebase.io/173fe953-8a63-4a8a-8ca3-1bacb56d78a5/4f8cafd3-66d1-43e1-970b-6d11e49079a4-isfahan2.jpg?q=75
Image 5: https://cdn.elebase.io/173fe953-8a63-4a8a-8ca3-1bacb56d78a5/3ca0d686-72cc-4da0-8ff0-407dcbcc6b96-isfahan3.jpg?q=75
Image 6: https://irannegintravel.com/uploads/Highlights/Isfahan%20Jameh%20Mosque/Jameh1.jpg
Creative Commons or other copyright information
Image 1: Creative Commons
Image 2: Creative Commons
Image 3: Creative Commons
Image 4: Creative Commons
Image 5: Creative Commons
Image 6: Creative Commons
Image 2: Creative Commons
Image 3: Creative Commons
Image 4: Creative Commons
Image 5: Creative Commons
Image 6: Creative Commons
Student First and Last Name
Mursal Abdullah
Bibliographic references for the item
Blair, S. and Bloom, J. (1995) The Art and Architecture of Islam 1250–1800. New Haven: Yale University Press.
Ettinghausen, R., Grabar, O. and Jenkins-Madina, J. (2001) Islamic Art and Architecture 650–1250. New Haven: Yale University Press.
Archnet (n.d.) Masjid-i Jameh, Isfahan. Available at: https://archnet.org/ (Accessed: December 3, 2025).
Citation
Multiple dynasties (Abbasid, Seljuk, Ilkhanid, Timurid, Safavid)
Architects and builders unknown, “Masjid-i Jameh, Isfahan,” World Architecture, accessed June 28, 2026, https://worldarchitecture.artinterp2.org/items/show/184.
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