Katie Hardman
Humanities
1. Pick three structures in Isfahan from different time periods and describe them in a complete paragraph.
In addition to general details, be sure in this paragraph to explain their architectural and societal functions
(what purpose did they serve), how they fit into their historical period, and what drew you to these
particular buildings.
The Darb-e-Imam, built in 1453, was an important shrine to the Shi’ites. This shrine contains
two descendants of Ali, the son-in –law of the great prophet Mohammad. The Shi’ites believe the
successor should be a descendent of Muhammad and not be an elected prophet like the Sunni believe.
Therefore this beautiful shrine with detailed twin domes is a very symbolic place for the Muslim faith.
This shrine has many decorative floral panels and impressive tile work. The Masjed-e-Shah, or the Royal
Mosque built in 1611 is another beautiful place of worship. The Royal Mosque was built to complete the
central square of Isfahan. This massive mosque has over eighteen million bricks as well as almost
500,000 tiles. This took a lot of labor and dedication to build. Professional tile layers and calligraphers
spent many years completing the mosque and did not finish until after the death of Shah Abbas I, who
had started the building. The Madrasa Mader-e-Shah, built in 1706 as a Theological College is still in use
today. Keeping with the earlier architecture of Isfahan it has the same
beautiful tile work and inscriptions as other important shrines and
mosques. The tile work on this dome is some of the most colorful and
beautiful artwork.
Each of these mosques and shrines have a purpose today as well as when
they were built. Whether it is a place to worship and pray or a place to
increase knowledge of their religion. These buildings all had features that
I was drawn to. I love the domes. The place where they believe that God
and man can converse, is as beautiful on the inside as well as the outside,
it pulls you in to prayer. I also liked the minarets,” the place where light
burns”, on the Royal Mosque and the Royal Theological College. They
seem to be another visual reminder that we should always be aware of
Allah.
Arabesque: dome of the Madar-i-Shah madrasah.
Photograph.<http://kids.britannica.com/elementary/art-4258>.
2. Again in a complete paragraph write about how the architecture of Salt Lake City compares to Isfahan.
Include what is similar and what is different about the buildings of the two cities. Are there structures in
Salt Lake City that would provide insight into American culture and tradition.
When looking at the architecture in Salt Lake City you mainly think of it as a religious
city. In many ways that is true, what many people overlook though is that it has diverse
religions. At first glance people see Temple Square and the LDS Temple. It is a sacred place of
worship with gardens surrounding the area, just like in Isfahan. There are also engravings on
the temple and spires, which could be similar to the minarets. As you expand your view of the
city you become more aware of the other religious buildings. The Cathedral of the Madeline also
has spires, but also has beautiful stained glass windows. The Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox
cathedral, is proof of the largest immigrants to Utah were in fact the Greeks. The cathedral has
the Romanesque columns in front. Many of the religious buildings in SLC have stained glass
Katie Hardman
Humanities
windows and painted murals and sculptures as opposed to tile work and panels in the Isfahan
buildings.. There are many more religious buildings in Salt Lake, but there are also many other
structures that make up the American culture. Memory Grove has some of the same aspects as
Isfahan gardens. They both have a place to sit and reflect and to be close
to nature. The Meditation Chapel as well as monuments and other
buildings within the garden are places to worship our ancestors or just to
leave your worries for a while. The Salt Lake City Library is a more
modern structure with huge curved glass windows, that gives the library
natural light and an open feeling. The City Creek City center is another
modern structure with shopping and office buildings. My favorite building
in Salt Lake is the State Capitol. It is modeled after the U.S. Capitol. It
follows Greek tradition with the dome and columns, with many murals,
paintings and sculptures representing Utah’s history. In Salt Lake there
are still remains of the 2002 Olympics as well. There are many other
structures that represent American culture and world culture in Utah as
well as religious and government influences.
State of Utah Capitol Building ~ Salt Lake City, Utah by
Jan Tribe