Naghsh-i Jahan Square
Naghsh-i Jahan Square (Persian: ميدان نقش جهان maidaan-e naqsh-e jehaan) situated at the center of Isfahan city, Iran, is the one of larget city squares in the world and the largest in Western Asia. It is an important historical site and one of UNESCO's World Heritage Sites. The square is surrounded by buildings from the Safavid era. The Shah Mosque is situated on the south side of this square. On the west side you can find Ali Qapu Palace. Sheikh Lotf Allah Mosque is situated on the eastern side of this square and the northern side opens into the Isfahan Grand Bazaar. Today, Namaaz-e Jom'eh (the Muslim Friday prayer) is held in this square in front of the Shah Mosque.
Situated on the eastern side of Naghsh-i Jahan Square, Sheikh Lutfullah Mosque was constructed between 1602 to 1619 A.D. in Shah Abbas (I)'s era.
The monument's architect was Mohammadreza Isfahani. He solved the problem of the difference between the direction of kaabeh and gateway of the building by devising a connecting vestibule between the entrance and the enclosure. The diameter of the inner dome is 12m laid on walls with the thickness of 170cm. One of the unique characteristics of the mosque is the peacock at the center of its dome. If you stand at the entrance gate of the inner hall and look at the center of the dome, a peacock whose tail is the sunrays came in from the hole in the ceiling could be seen. The mosque was named after Sheikh Lutfullah, a religious leader from what is now Lebanon who was invited to Isfahan and was paid special attention by the Safavid king.
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