The Pink Mosque in Shiraz was actually one of the reasons why we ended up in Iran. We were so excited to see it! Faster, faster… Michal was chasing me all the way. We got lost in the narrows streets of the bazaar once again. Poor quality map from the guidebook wasn’t helping much. With every step we made, frustration was growing. During such an early hour, there was no one on the streets. In my head, I had one thought: We must be there before 9! Finally, we noticed a man discharging lazily boxes full of oranges. With despair in our eyes, we run to him together: How to get to Masjed-e Nasir al Mulk? Apparently, we weren’t the first ones lost there. He only smiled indulgently and pointed: here.
It turned out that we were wandering around it for a long time… To excuse us, we must add that this mosque from the outside looks rather modest, like any other temple in this city, squeezed between not very eye-catching buildings. We simply didn’t expect that the most picture-perfect mosque in the world might look so unimpressive! But let’s be honest – it’s not the façade which attracts hundreds of photographers from around the world, but the extraordinary, full of the magic interior.
INSIDE THE NASIR AL MULK MOSQUE a.k.a. PINK MOSQUE IN SHIRAZ
It wasn’t different for us. I must admit that thanks to photographs from this place, we started thinking about taking a trip to Iran. The interior of XIX century Nasir al Mulk mosque is decorated with pink tiles, hence it is often called the Pink Mosque. However, most impressive are stained-glass windows in the winter prayer hall. The rising sun makes the whole room bursting with colors like in a kaleidoscope. Delicate, slightly hazy colorful rays of light lazily crawl on Persian carpets underneath the windows. The whole interior seems a little unreal, like in a Disney fairy tale… We didn’t expect that looks so spectacular! There are few places in the world that even though you could see it on hundreds of photos, they will impress when you actually see it.
WHAT IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT NASIR AL MULK MOSQUE?
About 11 a.m. magic begins to slowly disappear – the sun is too high above the horizon. We came around 9 a.m. and only to find a crowd of people… Everyone tried to make the perfect picture of colorful lights. It somehow turned into an amusing scene, when some people tried to take a picture, while not spoiling the effect by shadows of other photographers… Some Asian tourists who went all in and put white chador on, took pictures while pretending to be praying. Overall, it looked a bit funny. All in all, we had to wait a little longer to take our pics – after 10 a.m. tourists began to leave, and we could quietly soak up in the unique interior. We would also advise you to come here around 10 when there are fewer tourists, but the effect still persists.
PINK MOSQUE IN SHIRAZ – PRACTICAL HINTS
How much time do you need? 1,5 – 2h, the mosque is open at 8 a.m.
How to get to Pink Mosque in Shiraz? The mosque is located a few streets away from the Bazar-e Vakil at Loft Ali Khan Blvd, but in the maze of streets, you can easily miss its surprisingly ordinary looking façade – it’s best to ask someone for directions, maps in guidebooks are unfortunately not the best.
Fee: 16 000 tomans/ 4 EUR per person. Man at the entrance collects postcards from around the world, it would be nice if you share some from your country with him 😉
35 Comments
Itinera magica
February 25, 2017 at 09:21I love this! It looks incredible!
ellisveen
February 25, 2017 at 09:31I also got lost there wandering around trying to find the mosque. Beautiful pictures. I loved Shiraz.
Magda
February 25, 2017 at 11:28I know… it’s pretty hidden and looks reeealy modest from the outside…
ilsej2014
February 25, 2017 at 09:38This place looks amazing! I have never seen it before. Thank you for posting this – I am definitely adding it to my bucket list!
Magda
February 25, 2017 at 11:27Haha, glad we could help 😉
Caroline
February 25, 2017 at 09:41This is beautiful. The colours! If it looks like this in photos, it must be spectacular in person.
Magda
February 25, 2017 at 11:27Yes, really, I think the other thing which impressed me so much lately was the Grand Canyon!
Cory Varga
February 25, 2017 at 09:46Are those colours even real??? This is the most beautiful mosque I’ve ever seen. On my bucket list right now!!!
Magda
February 25, 2017 at 11:22Haha, it’s even better than in the pics! 🙂
Ricarda Christina Hollweg
February 25, 2017 at 09:53I’ve been thinking for some time already about visiting Iran. Your beautiful photography makes me want to go even more. Great work and inspiration!
Magda
February 25, 2017 at 11:22Thank you dear! Definitely should land on your bucket list 🙂
Jollies and Jaunts
February 25, 2017 at 10:33Wow, what an absolutely stunning building. The windows are gorgeous!
Magda
February 25, 2017 at 11:21I know, right? 😀
Alex
February 25, 2017 at 11:23Lovely! You’re lucky to have seen it in the winter months — when I was there in May the sun’s position meant the colored light was much less dramatic, and it didn’t really touch the floor. All the more reason to come back, eh?
Magda
February 25, 2017 at 11:30Oh, really? Good to know… To be honest I was shocked how intense these colours are… Yes, you’re right, probably the good position of the sun made it like this 😉
Birthe (from Wandering the World)
February 25, 2017 at 12:14Stunning photos! We’ll definitely be visiting when we make it to Iran one day. Love how you thought about including that man collecting postcards from around the world. 😉
Magda
February 25, 2017 at 12:56Haha, thank you, it’s always nice to share a piece of your country with someone at the other end of the world 😉
Kate @ Love from Scotland
February 25, 2017 at 12:15So beautiful! The colours really are amazing – and a nice guide to visiting!
Magda
February 25, 2017 at 12:56Thank you, was trying my best 😉
Cassidy's Adventures
February 25, 2017 at 12:21Wow, this is just stunning! I would love to travel here one day. I especially love how the stained glass reflects onto the rest of the interior. Thanks for sharing! I am adding it to my travel list!
Magda
February 25, 2017 at 12:57They are really amazing, the whole room looks like a fairytale…
lhelmbre
February 25, 2017 at 12:30Wow! These pictures are unreal! What a beautiful experience that must have been!
yogawinetravel
February 25, 2017 at 15:42I can’t get over how vivid these colours are! I’ve been hearing amazing things about Iran – I’d love to visit one day!
GirlAstray
February 25, 2017 at 15:53This looks so amazingly beautiful! I would just love to visit <3
Sheena
February 25, 2017 at 15:54I got to tell you this has to be one of the most visually appealing blogs I’ve read today 🙂 Love the colors.
Magda
February 25, 2017 at 18:54Awww, thanks! Nice to hear that 😀
Kristine
February 25, 2017 at 16:03Super stunning! The colors, the lights, the shadows; my heart would have leaped out if I were there! Great photos you took and wonderful travel pointers shared!
Magda
February 25, 2017 at 18:54Haha, glad you liked it 😉
Alina from Reverie Chaser
February 25, 2017 at 17:05What a stunning place! I hope I can visit Iran some day, as I have heard so many wonderful stories about this country!
Magda
February 25, 2017 at 18:53Yes, it’s totally different place than that described usually by media…
nicolelabargecm
February 25, 2017 at 18:28Oh I can’t wait to go to Iran. So amazing.
Sky Fisher (@skyvsworld)
February 25, 2017 at 19:51This is beyond beautiful! It makes me regret not going to Iran when I had the chance!
Magda
February 25, 2017 at 20:11Maybe next time it will work out! It’s a destination a bit off the beaten track, but amazed us much more than those “touristy” ones!
Felicia Broccolo
February 26, 2017 at 01:03This is seriously one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen! I need to go!
ivanaabroad
March 1, 2017 at 05:16Wow, this is so incredibly beautiful! Arab architecture never fails to astound me.