Nasir al-Molk Mosque (Pink Mosque)

🕰️When was it built?

The mosque was built in the Qajar era, commissioned by Nasir al-Molk. Mohammad Hasan Memar was one of its builders, and tile decoration was an important part of the work. It was added to the National Heritage List on 20 June 1979 as number 396.

🏛️What was it built for?

The mosque was built for prayer and has two prayer halls, east and west, opening onto the courtyard. The west hall is more richly decorated, and behind the east hall there is a gav-chah, a draw-well with a passage for the animal that pulled the water up from the well.

👀What you will see

• The west prayer hall has twelve stone columns in two rows, their shafts carved in a spiral pattern.
• Seven wooden doors with coloured glass connect the west prayer hall to the courtyard.
• The Taq-e Morvarid on the north side has haft-rang tilework and a ceiling with muqarnas and domed bowls.
• In the middle of the courtyard is a rectangular stone pool with stone fountains along its centre.
• The main portal is tiled with roses and irises, and the stone frame around the door has arabesque decoration.

🎒Good to know before you go

• Compare the columns of the two prayer halls; the western ones are spiral, while the eastern ones are plain.