Loading...
Sunday 8 April 2012

Iran: Esfahan's Mesmerising Masjid Imam

Iran: Esfahan's Masjid Imam Mosque / Masjid Shah Mosque - Ramble and Wander

Back at the hotel after getting lost, I debated whether or not to go out again that night, recalling the incident in Tehran on my first night there. It was already quite late but I thought that’s the only chance I would have to take photos of Imam Square at night since I’d be flying out to Shiraz the next evening. The one and only logical decision was then made. I took a chance and got out of the hotel again at around 11 p.m. and walked towards Imam Square.

It was cold. It's winter after all. The sky was pitch black and yet I could still feel a taste of fog hanging around me. The street was almost deserted with the occasional cars passing by. And with each passing car, I half expected to be stopped again, like that first night in Tehran.

Alhamdulillah, thank God, nothing of that sort happened.

I walked into one side of Imam Square, the second largest square in the world, and walked along the shops that make up the souq looking for the front entrance of Masjid Imam. Coming from the side, it’s slightly hidden behind the row of shops like it’s trying to hide its beauty from the whole world.

And then, there it was.

Iran: Esfahan's Masjid Imam Mosque / Masjid Shah Mosque - Ramble and Wander

Nothing could have prepared me for the moment when I first saw the full glimpse of Masjid Imam. You know when you’ve read about a place so many times, seen the photos countless of other times, and even watched a few documentaries about it on the TV you feel like you already know the place by heart even though you’ve never been there before? And then when you eventually get to see the place in person, you’re just left standing there, transfixed, speechless and simply awestruck? Well, I’m still speechless whenever I think about that moment so I won’t, or rather can’t, say much more about it.

Needless to say, I’m glad that I took the chance and went out to Imam Square late that night.

Iran: Esfahan's Masjid Imam Mosque / Masjid Shah Mosque - Ramble and Wander

Iran: Esfahan's Masjid Imam Mosque / Masjid Shah Mosque - Ramble and Wander

Iran: Esfahan's Masjid Imam Mosque / Masjid Shah Mosque - Ramble and Wander

Iran: Esfahan's Masjid Imam Mosque / Masjid Shah Mosque - Ramble and Wander

Iran: Esfahan's Masjid Imam Mosque / Masjid Shah Mosque - Ramble and Wander

Iran: Esfahan's Masjid Imam Mosque / Masjid Shah Mosque - Ramble and Wander

Iran: Esfahan's Masjid Imam Mosque / Masjid Shah Mosque - Ramble and Wander

Iran: Esfahan's Masjid Imam Mosque / Masjid Shah Mosque - Ramble and Wander

Iran: Esfahan's Masjid Imam Mosque / Masjid Shah Mosque - Ramble and Wander

Now if only these photos could have captured a bit of what I felt during those moments...


Read More:


Iran: Esfahan's Masjid Imam Mosque / Masjid Shah Mosque - Ramble and Wander

On Pinterest? Use this photo to bookmark and/or share the blog post. 😉


For other blog entries on Iran, click here.




Stay updated with the latest travel stories & tips, direct into your mailbox:
 

8 comments:

Comments and feedback are always appreciated. So do leave one or two if you have the time. Thank you!

  1. i said to myself, this mosque looks familiar.. aah no wonder, i saw the scale model of this mosque in islamic arts museum.. i oohed and aahed at the intricacy of the architecture on the scale model and there you are, looking at it with your own old eyes

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's amazingly beautiful, isn't it? Even more amazing to think that this masjid was built in the early 17th century, and is still very much in use to this very day.

      Delete
  2. Great architecture! just kept on watching and appreciate the creative minds people had in those days ! thanks !Lisa Travelers

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Lisa,

      I totally agree. The intricacy of the work and details on the building is just unbelievable. Definitely a result of creative and genius minds at work.

      Thanks for dropping by, by the way :-)

      Delete
  3. You really make me confuse which country I have to go & start to think how to get more money hehe...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If possible, go to both. They are both worth it.

      Delete
  4. It was a wise decision to go for a walk and not go to sleep. Thanks for sharing these photos.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi there, Armands! Yes, I'm really glad I went out even though it was late already (at least by Iranian standard, so it seemed :-)). Glad to be able to share these photos too :-)

      Delete
 
Toggle Footer
TOP