Introduction
The Nasir al-Mulk Mosque, also known as the Pink Mosque, is one of the most famous mosques in Iran. It was built between 1876 and 1888 and is one of the best examples of Qajar architecture. Nasir al-Mulk Mosque was named after its owner Mirza Hasan Ali Khan Nasir al-Mulk. He was a noble man and a patron of architecture during the late Qajar dynasty.
Why the “Pink Mosque”?
Unlike most Iranian mosques, which use turquoise and blue for their decoration, Nasir al-Mulk Mosque mostly uses pink for its decorations. Besides pink, this mosque has a palette of rose, white, yellow, and blue, making it a unique mosque.
Architecture
The Nasir-al-Mulk Mosque has a Qajari architecture style. It has two distinct prayer halls, the summer and winter prayer halls. The summer prayer hall has 12 carved stone pillars symbolizing the 12 Shia Imams. The winter prayer hall has 7 columns, and unlike the summer hall, it has fewer windows to preserve the heat in the winter. The mosque is decorated with muqarnas, a stalactite decoration for the vaults. The decorations used in this mosque include carved wooden doors, geometric patterns, calligraphy, and floral motifs.
Unlike Iranian architecture, where you can see symmetry in every angle, this mosque doesn’t completely follow this tradition.
The world-famous stained glass
The summer prayer hall has its famous stained glasses. In the morning, the sun shines through these glasses, and the interior is lightened up with different colors. The windows, walls, columns, and carpets are illuminated with the patterns of green, red, blue, orange, and yellow.
Best time to visit
Based on the season, the ideal time to visit is 8–10 a.m. This is the best time to visit, as you can see and photograph the lights shining through the windows.
How to get to the pink mosque?
You need to get to the Lotf Ali Khan Zand street. From there you should enter the 37th alley known as 37th Lotf Ali Khan Zand.
Conclusion
Nasir al-Mulk Mosque is wildly known as the pink mosque. It is a masterpiece of 19th-century Persian architecture and a must-see place in Shiraz. It is one of the most unique mosques throughout the world.
