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Internet image http://www.authorstream.com/Presentation/michaelasanda-1357446-esfahan-shah-mosque2/

The Naghsh-e Jahan Square in Isfahan is one of the largest city squares in the world and an outstanding example of Iranian and Islamic architecture. It has been designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

Piaţa regală a fost construită de Şahul Abbas cel Mare (1587-1629) care în anul 1598 hotărăşte construirea noii sala capitale, cea mai impozantă capitală a lumii islamice, supranumită „perla orientului” sau „jumătate de lume”

Standing in the public square, or Maidan, the entrance-iwan (gateway) to the mosque takes the form of a semicircle, resembling a recessed half-moon and measuring 27 meters in height, the arch framed by turquoise ornament and decorated with rich stalactite tile work, a distinct feature of Persian Islamic architecture. At the sides rise two minarets, 42 meters high, topped by beautifully carved, wooden balconies with stalactites running down the sides.

Masjed-e Shah, the Pinnacle of Safavid Architecture, the Jewel in the Naghs-e Jahan Square (which would replace the much older Jameh Mosque in conducting the Friday prayers), is one of the finest and the most stunning buildings in the world. The portal, almost a building in itself and understood as an aspect of the Maidan rather than of the mosque, forms a welcoming embrace, inviting and guiding the throngs outside into the refuge, security and the renewal the mosque provides.

Pe partea de sud a Pieţei Naghsh-i Jahan (denumirea sub care este cunoscută de marea majoritate a turiştilor străini), se află Moscheea Imam din Esfahan, Iran, un veritabil exemplu al arhitecturii islamice şi considerată deopotrivă drept o capodoperă a arhitecturii persane. De fapt, aspectul interesant este acela că Piaţa Imamului şi edificiul istoric care o înconjoară sunt magnifica punere în practică a proverbului persan „Esfahan este jumătate din lume”.

Great jasper and marble bowls like fonts each made of a solid stone block, can be seen near the portal gate, under the western and eastern domes, and in the cloisters on both sides of the great southern prayer hall. These are unique in terms of delicacy and care with which they were made. They used to be filled, on various with water 91 sherbet to quench the thirst of worshipping throngs in summer.

Legenda spune că Esfahan este locul ales de Adam după izgonirea din Rai, pentru că îi amintea de ţinutul celest, iar iranienii susţin că Esfahan reprezintă „jumătatea lumii", deoarece, dacă ai trecut pe aici, e ca şi cum ai fi colindat jumătate din Pământ. Şi într-un fel este adevărat, pentru că Esfahan e un univers fabulos şi caleidoscopic, un oraş „saturat" de comori ale artei şi arhitecturii, un loc plin de nenumărate monumente, unul mai surprinzător şi mai enigmatic decât celălalt.

The place of women in Muslim countries depends on the degree of Sharia Law operating in each country, but in general, it is unusual for women to be seen travelling alone without their families, and women have rigidly defined roles.In order to visit a mosque or holy shrine, women should wear a chador before entering. Chadors are sort of like cloaks. If you don't have a chador, sometimes there are kiosks where you can rent one. The only place we are required to put on chador when visiting mosque.

Sound: Zohreh Jooya - Tonight I am so Enraptured

Iran

Text : Internet

Pictures: Sanda Foişoreanu

Nicoleta LeuCopyright: All the images belong to their authors

Arangement: Sanda Foişoreanu

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