Ardestan Masjid-i Jami 10-11th cent - History of Islamic Architecture (sitios de interés)

Descripción del sitio

This marker is part of an extended History of Islamic Architecture

Ardestan, Esfahan, Iran
Masjid-i Jami
10-11th cent
pre-Seldjuk to early Seldjuk transition
Il-Khan-Mongolic(?) influences and Safavid dome (1539)

The current form of the mosque, consisting of a four-iwan courtyard surrounded by arcades, represents the successive work of several building periods. The earliest elements suggest an original pre-Seljuk hypostyle mosque, into which early Seljuks inserted a dome chamber and adjacent iwan (dated 1158 and 1160 respectively).
Text and photos from Archnet.org



Courtyard and arcades.





However, the arcades as they stand cannot be dated to the pre-Seljuk original, as they include domed and barrel vaults that display wide variety in brickwork, height, and shape, the supporting piers are also ranging in size and shape.

View of vaults in the oldest part of the complex (view through the arch to the southeast iwan)





The iwans and the dome other than that of the sanctuary appear to be either Safavid construction or reconstruction; an inscription in the northwest iwan cites restoration in 1539.
The earliest stucco fragments, found in the western corner of the courtyard, have been dated to the end of the tenth century. The interior of the dome chamber and iwan are extensively covered in plaster. The dome and zone of transition are articulated with simulated brickwork; the iwan vault is uniquely faced with a complex stucco design of interlacing arabesques. The mihrab exemplifies skilled stucco carving, and may represent Mongol restoration.

Detailed view of the stucco near the mihrab

Mapa del lugar de interés Ardestan Masjid-i Jami 10-11th cent

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