Art of the Past

Conjunction of the Moon and Venus as seen from the World Heritage Site of Naqsh-e Jahan square (meaning “Picture of the World”) in Isfahan, Iran. Pictured above is Shah Mosque (or Imam Mosque) standing in south side of Naghsh-i Jahan. Built during the Safavids period (construction began in 1611), it is an excellent example of Islamic architecture of Iran, and regarded as the masterpiece of Persian Architecture. Its splendor is mainly due to the beauty of its seven-color mosaic tiles and calligraphic inscriptions. The port of the mosque measures 27 meters high, crowned with two minarets 42 meters tall.