Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque, Isfahan -part 2-
Above the portal, stands in the background the great dome of glazed earthenware, which is distinguished from others of Isfahan for their predominantly cream-colored, unlike the typical blue and green domes of the city.
Examining the elevation of the building, the dome breaks the symmetry of the facade, to be slightly displaced to the south. This responds to the body of the mosque, with the exception of the facade, is rotated 45 degrees to the axis of the Imam Square, in order that the Shrine is a mandatory facing the Qibla, ie towards Mecca.
For this reason, the dark entrance corridor is to provide a powerful trick to connect to the prayer hall. This consists of a single square room, equipped with a luxurious tiled mihrab and dome crowned by the richly decorated circular tiles, floral framed in diamonds arranged concentrically and decreasing size as they move towards the center. The dome rests on a cylindrical drum pierced by 16 windows, lattice, and this in turn on an ingenious system of four scallops angular reach the ground and are interspersed with many other arches, forming an octagon.
 |
 |
 |
The sides of the octagon are split even by other secondary scallops on the ground to form a polygon of 16 sides, and this is how the transition is gradual to square the circle, the cube to the sphere. But the dome is not spherical, but their profile matches the arch called Persian (slightly pointed and with two radii of curvature, ubiquitous stylistic element in the architecture of ancient Iran), combining a steeper curve toward the edges with another curve flat at the top.
The only illumination comes from the lattice, that is diffused daylight and add a cozy room in dim light, on which the dome seems to float in the air. A similar visual effect occurs with the central dome of Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, although the spatial distribution inside the Lutfallah mosque more reminiscent of the great achievements of the distinguished air and Ottoman architect Sinan.
For the master of architectural solutions, the refinement of its proportions and overall richness and detail of the decoration of ceramics, this mosque can be considered as one of the architectural gems that have brought glory to Isfahan.
Source: http://web.mac.com/gcm5000/Sitio_web/_Isfah%C3%A1n.html
images sources: www.istockphoto.com/file_thumbview_approve/7699871/2/istockphoto_7699871-sheikh-lotfollah-mosque-isfahan-iran.jpg; www.interiordesignandremodeling.net/interior-design-remodeling-Sheikh-Lotfollah-Mosque-Isfahan-Iran-twocentsworth.jpg; www.revealingpersia.com/images/stories/Iran_Photos/Esfahan/Iran%20-%20Isfahan%20-%20Shaykh%20Lutfallah%20Mosque_Ali%20Ansari_2.jpg; http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2220/2253708883_4dc18c3c40.jpg
Posted in 
Tags: