INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
TEHRAN – Earlier this year and following years of restoration, scaffolding was partly taken down from the dome of the majestic Imam Mosque
However, it revealed arrays of faulty tiles, which are now pledged to be replaced with flawless ones.“The defective and problematic tiles
that cause unevenness on the surface of the dome of the Imam Mosque will be removed, and new tiles will be installed instead,” IRNA quoted
Isfahan’s tourism chief as saying on Sunday.“After the removal of a part of the scaffolding from the dome of the Imam Mosque, defects
and problems in terms of unevenness were observed in some parts of it, especially in the 15th and 16th sections, and we promise the people
and those interested in cultural heritage that these issues will be resolved with care, specialized and compassionate work,” Alireza Izadi
said.According to IRNA, in the past few days, pictures posted on social networks have brought reactions about the restoration of the
17th-century dome.Elsewhere in his remarks, the tourism chief said mudbrick buildings are generally more sensitive than stone structures,
adding “Brick domes such as ones on Imam Mosque or Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque are not an exception to this rule and its conditions should be
fully investigated from a scientific and professional point of view.”“When a historical building, for example, a dome, is (wholly)
surrounded by scaffolding, we cannot visually identify if it is uneven…
it cannot be recognized correctly.”Earlier in May, Izadi said: “Restoration work on Imam Mosque’s dome is finished... and we have
scheduled to remove the scaffolding poles during the cultural heritage week after a decade.”A masterpiece of Islamic architecture, Imam
Mosque stands tall at the southern end of UNESCO-registered Naghsh-e Jahan Sq
(Imam Square) in Isfahan, central Iran
The majestic place of worship is impressive because of its sheer size and incredible decoration.Originally named Masjed Shah (“the Shah
Mosque”), its construction began in 1611 during the rule of the Safavid King Shah Abbas the Great who reigned from 1588 to 1629
The mosque’s topmost dome was completed in the last year of his sovereignty.Its interior and exterior walls are fully decorated with a
polychrome, mostly dark blue, glazed tile revetment above a continuous marble dado
A very scenic huge entrance portal leads visitors to Imam Mosque whose courtyard walls feature sunken porches framed by seven-colored
tiles of deep blue and yellow
Each iwan leads into a vaulted sanctuary covered with particularly fine floral motifs on a blue background
Some visitors say each part of the Imam Mosque is a masterpiece that leaves a lasting impression.Many believe each of the mosque’s parts
is a work of genius that leaves a lasting impression
This palace of devotion owes its splendor mostly due to being covered with seven-color mosaic tiles and symmetrical calligraphic
inscriptions.Half the world?Soaked in a rich history, Isfahan was once a crossroad of international trade and diplomacy in Iran and now it
is one of Iran’s top tourist destinations for good reasons
It is filled with many architectural wonders such as unmatched Islamic buildings, bazaars, museums, Persian gardens, and tree-lined
It's a city for walking, getting lost in its mazing bazaars, dozing in beautiful gardens, and meeting people.Isfahan is renowned not only
for the abundance of great historical bridges but also for its ‘life-giving river’, the Zayandeh-Rood, which has long bestowed the city
an original beauty and fertility.The city has long been nicknamed as Nesf-e-Jahan which is translated into “half the world”; meaning
seeing it is relevant to see half the world
In its heyday, it was also one of the largest cities in the region with a population of nearly one million
The cool blue tiles of Isfahan's Islamic buildings, and the city's majestic bridges, contrast perfectly with the encircling hot, dry Iranian
countryside.Imam Square is hemmed on four sides by magnificent buildings: to the east, the Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque; to the west, the palace
of Ali Qapu; to the north, the portico of Qeysarieh; and to the south, the eminent Imam Mosque.“The square was at the heart of the Safavid
capital’s culture, economy, religion, social power, government, and politics
Its vast sandy esplanade was used for celebrations, promenades, and public executions, for playing polo and for assembling troops,”
according to the UNESCO website.Right at the northern limit of the Imam Square, one will find “Qeysarieh Gate”, which leads to the
unique and unforgettable “Grand Bazaar of Isfahan”
This vaulted marketplace is one of the largest and most labyrinthine bazaars in the country
Shops offering handicrafts, souvenirs, jewelry, silverware, traditional ceramics, and authentic Persian carpets.Modern Isfahan is now home
to some heavy industry, including steel factories and a nuclear facility on its outskirts, however, its inner core wants to be preserved as
The city is also home to a gigantic, professional, and state-of-the-art healthcare city, which is a major destination in the realm of
