Nasir Al-Mulk Mosque – Shiraz, Fars Province, Iran

The architecture of pre-Islamic Iran is divided into two styles of “Parsian” and “Parthian”.

Parsian Style

it is the first architectural style in Iran starting from Achaemenid era until the invasion of Alexander (from 6th to 4th B.C). Rectangular spaces with columned halls, construction of buildings on platform, introverted style, using wooden ceilings, carved stones, plinth and capital, decoration of entrance and glazed tile in interior sectors are among the main features of Parsian architecture.

Parthian Style

As the name suggests, Parthian Style is the architecture used by the Parthian, it includes diversity in patterns, introverted style, symmetry in construction of palaces and temples, increase in the height of buildings, curved arches and domes, squinches below the domes, using local materials like rubble, adobe, brick, mud, and stucco work.

Iran’s Architecture from the Advent of Islam to Seljuk (6^th to 11^th centuries)

In spite of the advent of Islam, for years, Iran’s architectural style was dependent on the past elements. After that, Muslim artists introduced new forms, buildings, and constructs like mosque, school, bridge, castle and caravanserai with respect to previous artistic features especially Sassanid ones and inspired Islamic mind-set.

At the beginning of Islamic time, more attention was paid to the construction of mosque. The mosques usually had simple structures, but from this time, we witnessed the rise of Muqarnas decorative designs (decorations made of brick, tile, stone, plaster and wood) as an ornament of the mosque. The Muqarnas decorative styles used in Gonbad-e Qabus tower is one of the earliest examples of it in 10th century. Besides, Ribat-i Mahi, contemporary to Gonbad-e Qabus tower, has muddy brick and stucco decorations as well and acts as a precedent for the more lavish decorations of Seljuk and Ilkhanate Eras.

Iran’s Architecture from Seljuk to Timurid (11^th to 15^th Centuries)

Seljuk dynasty (11th century) is one of the most outstanding periods of Iran’s architecture. The construction of schools was popular in this time and many schools were built in the cities of Baghdad, Neyshabur, Marv, Rey and Hyrcania (current Gorgan). The plans of most of the buildings in this era was Four-Iwan design (Chahar Iwani) with stucco and brick as their prominent decorations. Iwan is a rectangular hall or space, usually vaulted, walled on three sides, with one end entirely open. They are mostly build in exterior space of the buildings having entrance/ exit spaces. Different buildings such as mosque, school, tomb and caravanserai were constructed in this era as well. The splendour and glory of Seljuk architecture are completely visible in Jameh mosque of Isfahan. Although, Jameh mosque of Isfahan is the result of continual construction, reconstruction, additions and renovations of 15 centuries of Islamic Era, the most beautiful and important part of the mosque belongs to Seljuk Dynasty. It is interesting to know that the use of tile as a decorative element has become popular since the end of 10th century. The oldest examples are the tiles of Kharraqan towers in Qazvin which were built in Seljuk Dynasty.

Preserving the Seljuk architectural styles including Four-Iwan design, Ilkhanate architecture entered a new stage; Iwan became higher with narrow width and the walls got narrower as well. Decorations like stucco, tile work and brick with special patterns adorned buildings. Mihrabs of Isfahan Jameh Mosque, Urmia and Oshtorjan mosques are the obvious proofs of the mastery in stucco art in that era.

During Timurid dynasty, the art of mosaic tiling reached its zenith, it is the art of the assembling of small pieces of coloured tiles to make an image. Mosques like Goharshad in Mashhad, Blue in Tabriz, Khargerd Ghiasieh School in Khorasan and some buildings in Herat and Bukhara show the importance and application of this art in religious buildings.

In this era, Grand Khorasan in east of Iran played an important role in development of architecture as well. Khorasan was the origin of lots of innovations in architecture that spread it to other parts of the country. Two-Iwan style was used in Khorasan for the first time and it was one of the first cities that the traces of turquoise tile are found in, this style can be observed in Mosques of Zuzan, Gonabad and Forumad.

Iranian Architecture Infographic / Historic Imam Mosque – Isfahan, Isfahan Province, Iran
Photo by Alexandre Rotenberg / Shutterstock
Infographic by Negar Ganji

Iran’s Architecture from Safavid to the Contemporary Era

The 16th and 17th centuries are known as the period of flourishment of Islamic arts in Iran. In the shadow of the support of Safavid’s kings, art and architecture advanced drastically. The majority of buildings in Safavid era such as mosques, schools, and caravanserais were constructed in a four-Iwan style and Muaraq (Mosaic) and Haft Rang (Seven-Coloured) tiles were the main decorations used in the buildings, the template of tiles were square which were glazed and seven colors were used to design them. Calligraphy on tile became common in decoration of religious buildings as well. Public places like mosque, bridge, bathhouse, water reservoir and specially caravanserai were built more than ever. Amin Abad caravanserai in Isfahan, Deh-bid caravanserai on the road of Isfahan to Shiraz and the numerous Abbasi caravanserais built all over the country were important caravanserais of this period.

After the fall of Safavid Dynasty, the same architectural style of that time continued like before but it was not as glorious as before. Kalat Naderi Palace (Khorshid Palace) in Khorasan province (Afsharid era) and Vakil complex in Shiraz (Zandiyeh era) are outstanding buildings of this period. After this period and with the beginning of Qajar Reign, architecture was the centre of attention again. Some of the buildings from Qajar era like Al-Nabi Mosque in Qazvin, the Haj Ali Agha complex in Kerman, Imam Mosque, Sepahsalar Mosque and school in Tehran, as well as Golestan palace are the examples of the breathtaking architecture of Qajar era.

Contemporary Architecture

The contemporary architecture of Iran starts from early 19th century and continues up to now. Architectural structures of buildings in this time were the combination of traditional and western architecture styles which were witnessed in constructs like Shahrbani Palace, Marble Palace and Post Office building of Tehran, or modern architectural style was entirely used.

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Rayen is known to be the second biggest adobe construct of the world after Bam, making Kerman Province the city of castles. Although it is not as old as Bam Castle is, the archeologist believe that it dates back to Sassanid dynasty. The little sister of Bam castle was the ruling center of Mirza Hassan Khan Rayeny during the reign of Nader Shah and later inherited by his son Muhammad Ali Khan in the reign of Zand kings. The castle was placed on the route of Caravans that passed Kerman, and therefore, one of the important trading centers of Iran.

The castle is surrounded with 10-meter-tall fortifications and entering the castle is possible through the only entrance gate of the castle in the eastern side. There is a small rectangular hole above the gate that was used to identify those who asked for permission of entering the city. The spiral stairs of the city that their construction requires much accuracy, even by modern standards, are the sign of advanced state of the place. The most significant thing about the castle, however, is that it had different neighborhoods each belonging to one of the occupations or social classes of the city, such division is unheard of and not witnessed in other remaining castles of Iran.

It is not as old as Bam Citadel, but the archeologist believe that it dates back to Sassanid dynasty. It was the ruling center of Mirza Hassan Khan Rayeny during the reign of Nader Shah and later inherited by his son Muhammad Ali Khan in the reign of Zand kings.

Some of the neighborhoods of this castle are, royal neighborhood, tradesmen neighborhood, farmer neighborhood, and artisan neighborhood. Immediately after the gate, the artisans’ neighborhood began with blacksmith shops that sold knives and tools. It proves the popularity of knives made here among the travelers, it shows that selling handicrafts was a major source of trade in this city.

After Bam’s earthquake, the attentions were transferred to Rayen as another beautiful adobe construct and the renovation, that has started before the earthquake, was completed and this site became a highlight of Kerman and tourism destination.

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The Falak ol-Aflak Castle located on a hill overlooking Khorramabad City, Lorestan Province dates back to the Sassanid Empire (224-651 CE). The castle has had several names in the course of histories such as Shapour Khast, Siah (Black), Boz, Khorramabad, Sefid (White), Salasel, Atabakan, Ghasr (Palace), Ghale Bala Kushk, and 12-Borj (Twelve-Tower). Of these based on historical documents, Shapour Khast was the oldest name of the castle but as of 1789 since the Qajar Dynasty, the current name, Falak ol-Aflak, has been used.

The castle built mainly with stone, brick, wood, mortar, and lime has an area of 5,200 m2 with a height, considering the hill, accounting for 40 meters. The tallest wall of the castle is also 22.5 meters in height. The Falak ol-Aflak Castle consists of four halls and several rooms surrounding two yards that all of them have a rectangular plan. The entrance to the castle is placed in the north leading to the first yard. Importantly although the structure has had twelve towers in the past, today, eight towers have remained. The water of the castle was supplied from a 40 meter-well behind the first yard.

The Falak ol-Aflak Castle, as a defensive fort, had a significant role in the formation and development of the old city of Khorramabad. Notably, not just as a castle and military fortress, but it had been used as a ruling place, treasury, and even prison in different dynasties. For example, Hasanwayhids, a Kurdish dynasty that ruled over the western part of Iran from about 961 to 1015 used the castle as a ruling place. During the reign of Naser Al-Din Shah, the fourth Qajar king, the castle was rebuilt but at the time of the first king of the Pahlavi Dynasty, Reza Shah was destroyed so as to suppress the powerful local tribes. After the destruction, it was converted to a prison and in 1969, the place turned into a historical attraction open to the public. Finally, since 1975, this structure has been functioning as a museum, first, an anthropology museum and later as of 1977, as an archeology museum.

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