Jame Mosque of Kashan

The Jame Mosque of Kashan is one of the oldest and most valuable religious and historical buildings in Isfahan Province. It stands in the historic Meydan-e Kohneh neighbourhood, on Baba Afzal Street in Kashan. The main parts of the mosque date back to the Seljuk period, but it was built on top of an older structure, and some studies even trace its origins to the pre-Islamic era. Because of its age, its remarkable architecture and its religious importance, the Jame Mosque of Kashan was registered on the Iran National Heritage List on 30 Khordad 1315 under number 252. The mosque has been restored many times over the centuries and remains one of the most important historical and religious symbols of Kashan.

The architecture of the Jame Mosque of Kashan blends the art and engineering of several historical periods. The complex has a brick dome, a tall iwan, a wide courtyard with a central pool, three prayer halls (shabestans), valuable mihrabs and a historic minaret. The minaret carries an inscription in Kufic script and is known as the third dated minaret in Iran. Archaeological excavations have uncovered valuable Buyid-era work in the decoration of the mihrab, as well as the remains of pottery kilns beneath the prayer halls, which adds even more to the historical importance of the building. The presence of two mihrabs is one of the mosque's unique features, and there are various historical and religious accounts of why it came about. The historical inscriptions, the fine stucco work and the beautiful tilework of the summer prayer hall are further artistic highlights of the mosque.

The Jame Mosque of Kashan lies in the centre of the city's historic district and is easy to reach via Baba Afzal Street and the Meydan-e Kohneh neighbourhood. Its closeness to Kashan's other historical attractions makes a visit easy to include in a walk through the old part of the city. The best time to visit is spring or autumn, when Kashan's weather is more pleasant for sightseeing, although the mosque can be visited all year round. When visiting, the key principles of responsible tourism at this historic site are to stay quiet and respect the mosque's religious atmosphere, avoid touching the decorations and historical inscriptions, avoid causing any damage to the building, and keep the site clean.