Vakil Mosque

The Vakil Mosque (Persian: مسجد وکیل‎ - Masjed-e Vakil) is a mosque in Shiraz, southern Iran, situated to the west of the Vakil Bazaar next to its entrance. This mosque was built between 1751 and 1773, during the Zand period; however, it was restored in the 19th century during the Qajar period. Vakil means regent, which was the title used by Karim Khan, the founder of Zand Dynasty. Shiraz was the seat of Karim Khan's government and he endowed many buildings, including this mosque.[1]

Vakil Mosque
مسجد وکیل
Masjed e Vakil
View of southern iwan
Religion
AffiliationIslam
ProvinceFars Province
RegionIslam
StatusActive
Location
Location Shiraz, Iran
MunicipalityShiraz County
Shown within Iran
Geographic coordinates29°36′51.01″N 52°32′42.6″E
Architecture
TypeMosque
StyleIranian architecture
Groundbreaking1751
Completed1773
Minaret(s)2

Specifications

Vakil Mosque covers an area of 8,660 square meters. It has only two iwans instead of the usual four, on the northern and southern sides of a large open court. The iwans and court are decorated with typical Shirazi haft rangi tiles, a characteristic feature of the art and industry of Shiraz during the latter half of the 18th century. Its night prayer hall (Shabestan), with an area of approximately 2,700 square meters, contains 48 monolithic pillars carved in spirals, each with a capital of acanthus leaves. The minbar in this hall is cut from a solid piece of green marble with a flight of 14 steps and is considered to be one of the master pieces of the Zand period. The exuberant floral decorative tiles largely date from the Qajar period.

  • Entrance door
  • Entrance door ceiling
  • Facade of entrance arcade
  • Shabestan (prayer hall)
  • Shabestan pillars
  • Shabestan ceiling tile work
  • View of northern Iwan from prayer hall
  • One of the minarets
  • Details of northern Iwan
  • Ceiling of the northern Iwan
  • Flight of steps leading to minbar

See also
  • List of Mosques in Iran

References
  1. "Arch Net Library". Archived from the original on 2010-10-25. Retrieved 2009-12-05.


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