Nasir al-Mulk Mosque
The Nasir al-Mulk Mosque (Masjed-i Nasir al-Mulk), also known as the Pink Mosque (Masjed-i Surati), is a traditional mosque in Shiraz, Iran. It is located in Gawd-i Arabān quarter, near Shāh Chérāgh Mosque. It was built during Qajar dynasty rule of Iran.
The mosque includes extensive coloured glass in its facade, and displays other traditional elements such as the Panj Kāse (“five concaved”) design. It is named in popular culture as the ‘Pink Mosque’, due to the usage of considerable pink colour tiles for its interior design.
History
The mosque was built during the Qajar dynasty, and is still in use under protection by the Endowment Foundation of Nasir ol Molk. Construction began in 1876 by the order of Mirzā Hasan Ali (Nasir ol Molk), a Qajar ruler. and was completed in 1888, The designers were Mohammad Hasan-e-Memār, an Iranian architect, and Mohammad Rezā Kāshi-Sāz-e-Širāzi.
More information about Nasir al-molk for those who are interested in Architecture and Archaeology
A brief introduction to Islamic architecture of Iran
Islamic period is a part of Persian history that starts after Sassanid period with coming Muslims till now.
This important part of history,have a long age,more than 1 millennium and divided into different dynasties. Every period have unique and own characteristics like architecture,economic system,social classifications and etc.
Now,we are going to have a glance to Qajar dynasty,because the place that we are speak about it,built at qajar period.
Qajar architecture
Every type of architecture in each period have some unique elements but it borrows some elements from previous periods. Therefor, the architecture of qajar period owes to Safavid art and architecture.
The Qajar art & architecture have not the magnificence and beauty of the previous period,for example some cities like Isfahan,Tabriz and Qazvin was extended and developed in safavid period with grand and unique mosques,schools,Carevansarais and complexes. But in Qajar period some cities like Tehran,Shiraz,Yazd and Kashan was raised by building mosques,bathes and palaces.
One of the most important monuments of this period Is Nasir-Al-Mulk mosque that built in shiraz,by one of the dignitaries that named Nasir-Al-Mulk. This mosque have several names like pink mosque because the usage of pink and yellow flowers in tiles. But the thing that makes this place more important,is the Technic of usage of glasses and play with lights. Another part of this mosque that attract most of photographers to take photos,is the harmony of using the columns inside it and this element,inspired from Jam-e mosque of Shiraz.
