When someone brings up historical architecture, we picture beautiful arches, towering spires, sculptures and stone walls, but most of us probably don’t think of bright and vibrant colors. Nasir al-Molk Mosque, as illustrated by these photographs, is a striking and strong exception to the idea that historical structures might have been somewhat lacking in colors. Not only are its stained-glass windows richly colored, but its walls feature a beautiful and vibrantly colorful array of painted geometric tiles.
From the outside, the Nasir al-Mulk Mosque in Shiraz, Iran, seems like a fairly traditional house of worship — but it’s hiding a gorgeously colorful secret.
The multitude of stained glass windows turn the inside of the mosque into a riotous wonderland of color that is absolutely breathtaking.
Not to mention the gorgeously painted, intricate arches and niches.
It’s also known as the “Pink Mosque” for the rose-colored tiles that cover the interior. However, picking out just one color doesn’t do justice to the plethora of hues that decorate it.
Though Masjid al-Aqsa in Jerusalem and Istanbul’s Blue Mosque both feature stained glass windows, on the whole they are fairly uncommon in mosque architecture.
