Tehran – Mushufa Kanouni, principal of the Golpaegan Cultural Heritage Department, provided news on the restoration project of Golpaegan James Mosque in Isfahan.
He explained that 17 billion rial ($18,889) worth of national units have been allocated to restoration projects, the IRNA reported.
Pointing to renovations of Shavesthan in the north and south of the Golpaegan Gem Mosque (an underground space popular in traditional Iranian architecture observed at the mosque), he said the restoration would include the removal of expansion features such as replacing worn bricks, repairing joints and installing electrical cables and gas.
These repairs continue the appearance of this historical monument’s dome, altar and the historic monument that took place last year.
He predicts that the restoration phase will be completed by the end of the current Iranian year, adding that “the second phase will implement lighting and glorification inside the building.”
In recent years, referring to an increase in visits to this ancient mosque, he said that over half a million domestic and foreign tourists visited the monument last year due to good referrals to visitors.
The Golpayegan Jame’ Mosque is a relic of the Seljuk period. It was registered as number 191 on the 1933 National Heritage List.
According to Archnet, the mosque is almost rectangular in design and consists of an arched and dome prayer hall that envelops four sides of the rectangular courtyard. It is facing northeast southwest, with measurements of approximately 73 meters and 44 meters outside.
In the courtyard, 26 meters wide and 32 meters deep, two spectacular square rocks iwan are arranged symmetrically in the northeast and southwest, and two small rocks iwans to the northwest and southeast.
The square dome chamber or sanctuary is constructed entirely of brick and opens on three sides with an archway sandwiched between embedded columns. At the east and north corners of the chamber are thick double columns marking the corners, with narrow arches cut out into adjacent walls covered with arched windows.
Mihravnich on three sides of the Seljuk Dome Room, centered around the Qibla wall, features a stucco piece covered with blind arches engraved with inscriptions and inscription plaques.
The inner surface is decorated with brick panels with intricate geometric motifs and geometric compositions of geometric letters. The outer part of the dome structure leaves the plains behind, except for the large diamond ring surrounding the base of the dome.
The single minaret of the mosque is located outside the precincts behind the walls of the precincts, and also dates from the Seljuk period. Its octagonal base is joined by a tall, cylindrical shaft covered with a narrow turret placed outside the center.
The terms Jame ‘Mosque, Masjed-e Jame’, or Friday mosque are used in Iran for the grand communal mosque where comprehensive Friday prayers are held. This phrase is used in other Muslim countries, but it designates this purpose only in Iran.
Golpaegan is located about 175 km west of Isfahan.
KD