Jame Mosque of Nain

The Jame Mosque of Nain stands in the historic quarter of Nain, in Isfahan Province, in a desert region. It is regarded as one of the most valuable works of Islamic architecture in Iran. The mosque was built on the model of the Prophet's Mosque in Medina, in the Khorasani architectural style, and it is one of the few mosques whose original structure has not undergone extensive changes over the centuries. There are differing views on when the original building was constructed. Some sources date it to the 2nd century AH (the Umayyad period), while some researchers attribute it to the Al-e Buyeh (Buyid) or Deylamite period, so its exact date of construction is uncertain. In later periods, parts were added to the building or altered, and traces of Razi, Ilkhanid, Safavid and Qajar architectural styles can also be seen in different sections of the mosque. The main building materials are mud brick and fired brick, and its location in the historic quarter of Nain places the mosque among a group of valuable historic monuments in the city.

The most important feature of the Jame Mosque of Nain is its hypostyle layout (shabestan) and central courtyard. Pillared halls surround the courtyard, and the largest hall lies on the qibla side. The mosque has no iwan or domed chamber, and its mihrab is located in the middle of the qibla hall. The stucco work of the mihrab and columns, the brick decoration, the Kufic inscriptions and the 28-metre octagonal minaret are among the building's most distinctive elements. Some of the mosque's inscriptions are executed in stucco and others in paint on plaster, and examples of Kufic inscriptions from the 5th century AH can also be seen on the inner entrance portal. The minaret has saucer-shaped (zir-na'lbaki) decoration and is considered one of the unusual examples among Iran's historic minarets. The second mezzanine level of the southern hall, created for the women's section, was added to the building in the 8th century AH, and parts of the hall were expanded in later periods. The stucco mihrab and the carved wooden minbar with an inscription dated 711 AH are other important elements of the complex.

To reach the Jame Mosque of Nain, after entering the city you need to make your way to the historic quarter and the area around Ayatollah Naeini Street. The mosque is in the old part of the city, near Masjed-e Jame Street, and can be reached by private car or urban transport. If you set out from Isfahan, Nain is about 146 kilometres away, and once in the city you can follow city streets to Ayatollah Naeini Street and the area of the Jame Mosque. The mosque can usually be visited from 9 a.m. until the evening call to prayer (maghrib adhan), and it is closed on days of mourning. Because Nain lies in a desert region, the cooler seasons of the year are better for exploring the historic quarter and visiting the mosque. When visiting, it is best to respect the religious character of the building, avoid touching or damaging the stucco work and inscriptions, and follow the principles of responsible tourism in the historic area and around the building.