Nasir al-Mulk Mosque of Shiraz or the Pink Mosque is one of the oldest mosques in the city. Nasir al-Mulk mosque is located near holy shrine of Shah e Cheragh. It took about twelve years to build this beautiful mosque. Nasir al-Mulk the powerful governer of Shiraz at the time ordered to build this mosque.
The plan was to build an architecturally exquisite mosque. So its ornament and tile workings are unique. The space of Nasir al-Mulk mosque is almost 2890 square meters. Like most of Iranian mosques it has two praying chambers for summers and winters.
Architecture
The gorgeous colorful tile workings of Nasir al-Mulk Mosque are only one of the features making it one of a kind. The tiles are filled with pink rose flowers that are specific to Shiraz region. Passing through the main gate of the mosque is a large court yard and a pool in the middle. There are two Ivans on the north and south side of the mosque. Both of them ornate with various architectural elements like muqarnas, marble epigraphs and different shapes of arches.
Western praying chamber
Aside from all the beauty of tiles and courts of Nasir al-Mulk mosque, it is the western praying chamber that catch the eye of any visitor. The western chamber is a treasure of elegance. The focus probably are windows with colorful stained glasses. From early in the morning till before noon the sun rays shining through the windows make a graceful play of color and light. This happening makes Nasir al-Mulk Mosque one of the most photographed tourist attraction of Iran.
In addition to the above said there are other decorative factors in the western chamber. For instance, beautiful pillars looking like flower vases at the bottom, colored tiles on the ceiling and altar and the turquoise tiles of the floor.
Next to the southern part of the mosque is a shrine or tomb. The building of the tomb is also filled with decorative features like paintings in the ceiling and walls and colorful stained glasses.
