Imam Mosque, Semnan

For similarly named mosques, see Imam Mosque (disambiguation).

Not to be confused with Jameh Mosque of Semnan.

Imam Mosque of Semnan
مسجد امام (سمنان)
The mosque in 2018. Colorful jānamāz surround the sahn
Location of the mosque in Iran
Religion
Affiliation	Shia Islam
Ecclesiastical or organisational status	Mosque
Status	Active
Location
Location	Emam Street, Semnan, Semnan Province
Country	Iran
Coordinates	35°33′59″N 53°24′3″E
Architecture
Type	Mosque architecture
Style	Qajar
Founder	Abbas the Great
Groundbreaking	1612 CE
Completed	1324 AH (1906/1907 CE)
Specifications
Domes	c. 40 (maybe more, most small)
Inscriptions	Two (maybe more)
Materials	Bricks; plaster; tiles; marble
Iran National Heritage List
Official name	Imam Mosque of Semnan
Type	Built
Designated	20 June 1936
Reference no.	257
Conservation organization	Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization of Iran

The Imam Mosque of Semnan (Persian: مسجد امام (سمنان), romanized: Masji-e Emam; Arabic: مسجد الإمام (سمنان)), 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 1324 AH (1906/1907 CE), 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

Photograph of the mosque by Aqa Reza Akasbashi, 19th century

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 (usually octagonal in shape) 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.

Gallery

• 
  Photograph of the mosque by Aqa Reza Akasbashi, 19th century
• 
  A view across the pool at night
• 
  Photograph of the mosque by Aqa Reza Akasbashi, 19th century
• 
  Looking across the sahn to an iwan
• 
  Sheikh Abbas Ali Akhtari leading Friday prayers at the mosque in 1981, adjacent to an image of Ruhollah Khomeini
• 
  Stunning interior of the prayer hall with qibla wall
• 
  Detailed tile design of an iwan wall
• 
  Exterior of the mosque with its unusual small dome on the western porch

See also

• Shia Islam in Iran
• List of mosques in Iran

External links

Media related to Soltani Mosque (Semnan) at Wikimedia Commons