Sepahsalar Mosque

Sepahsalar Mosque, now also known as the Ayatollah Motahhari Mosque, is one of the largest and most distinctive historic religious buildings in Tehran. It stands in Baharestan Square, next to the old National Consultative Assembly (Majles) building and the Baharestan Mansion. Construction began during the reign of Naser al-Din Shah Qajar, thanks to the efforts of Mirza Hossein Khan Sepahsalar Qazvini, the prime minister of the time. After his death, his brother Mirza Yahya Khan Moshir al-Dowleh continued the work. The design is attributed to Mirza Mehdi Khan Shaghaghi, titled Momtahen al-Dowleh, and the master architects of the day took part in building its various sections. In terms of its size, its combination of educational and religious spaces, and its architectural value, the Sepahsalar Mosque and School holds a special place among the historic buildings of the capital and is regarded as an outstanding example of Qajar-era religious architecture. Together with the other historic buildings of Baharestan Square, the complex forms part of the cultural and historical identity of central Tehran.

The architecture of the Sepahsalar Mosque blends Iranian architectural traditions with some patterns of Istanbul mosques. Its design drew inspiration from buildings such as the Jameh Mosque of Isfahan, the Chaharbagh School and the Hagia Sophia. The square central courtyard, with four iwans, garden beds and a large pool in the middle, forms the main space linking the different parts of the complex. The two-storey mosque and school building has cells for housing seminary students, and in its various sections you can see tilework, muqarnas, yazdi-bandi, kasebandi, stucco carving and brick decoration. The large domed hall of the mosque, eight brick minarets covered in tile, and a winter prayer hall with 44 monolithic stone columns are among the complex's most distinctive features. The historic clock set between the two minarets of the north iwan is also one of the building's notable sights. The mosque's library, with its valuable collection of manuscripts and lithograph books, adds to its scholarly and cultural importance. Over time the complex has undergone changes and restorations, and besides its religious and educational role, it has also been linked to the historical and cultural events of Tehran.

The Sepahsalar Mosque is on the southeast side of Baharestan Square, on Mostafa Khomeini Street, close to the old National Consultative Assembly building. One way to reach this attraction is to take Tehran Metro Line 2 and get off at Baharestan Station; from there, a short walk brings you to the mosque. Because the building lies in the historic, busy fabric of the city centre, public transport is usually a good way to get there. Spring and autumn, when Tehran's weather is usually pleasant, are good times to stroll around the historic Baharestan area and visit the surrounding buildings. However, general visits to the mosque's interior may require prior arrangement, so it is best to find out about admission and visiting hours before you go. While visiting, you should also respect the building's religious and educational use, keep the peace of worshippers and students, and avoid touching the tilework, columns and other historic decorations.