The Shah Cheragh Mosque | Shiraz, Iran
The Shah Cheragh mosque translates to English as ‘King of the Light’, a fitting name for a place of worship and mausoleum that reflects so much of it. Stepping inside of what appears to be the standard architecture of many masajed in the area, one is transported to a realm of light, sparkling gems, and reflective rainbows.
The Shah Cheragh Mosque is both a place of worship, and a mausoleum of sons of Mūsā al-Kādhim, Ahmad and Muhammad. It is now an important place of pilgrimage within the Shia tradition.
The mosque was constructed around the burial site around 1130 AD, after the tombs of the brothers were discovered, unearthed, and said to be shining. Queen Tash Khātūn ordered the mosque to be repaired and expanded from 1344-1349, and by her orders a college was also built there. Under the construction and design of Queen Tash Khātūn, the interior of the mosque was decorated in an intricate mosaic of thousands upon thousands of shards of glass and mirror, giving the mosque its iconic look. Her intention was to reflect and intensify any light a thousand times over.
Subsequent repairs were also made in 1506, 1588, 1827, 1852, and 1958. Famously, Elizabeth Taylor had a photo shoot there as well.
The mosque is open to non-muslims, though the sites of pilgrimage remain restricted. Visitors are paired with a tour guide and given appropriate clothing, all free of charge. The mosque, a site of religious importance and cultural and architectural heritage, is said to be one of the most beautiful in the world.
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