Hakim Mosque, also known as Jame Rangrazan Mosque

Built in the 4th century AH

The mosque was constructed by Shah Abbas II on the ruins of Jame Jujir Mosque or Sahib Ismail Bin Ebad Mosque.

Calligrapher: Mohammad Reza Emami

The old entrance of the building, 1,000 years old, is considered among top works in the beginning of Islam.
It is famous for its general structure, exquisite and matchless works of calligraphy on each corner.
The amazing and well-known mosque, a genuine masterpiece in Islamic architecture, in Isfahan dates from the Safavid era which showcases beautiful tiling and elegant calligraphy by well-reputed masters of the era.
The magnificent mosque is located where the former mosque, called Jujir, from Diyalameh government lies and since it was placed at the end of Rangrazan (or dyers) Bazaar, it was a also called Rangrazan Mosque.
Today, there is nothing left other than the entrance of the mosque.The entrance was filled with a kind of coating and after removing it amazing designs have appeared.
The elegant and charming entrance is regarded as the best in the last 1000 years.
As it was said earlier, Hakim Mosque was built when Shah Abbas II was the king. The founder of the building was Mohammad Davud who was a medicine man, or Hakim, and that's where the name comes from.
The historians and researchers ,who study history, tell of him: He was the physician of Shah Abbas II who was opposed for some reason and ran away to India to save his life.
His profession developed in the new land and his treatment worked for a couple of great people and rulers and he was called Taghrib Khan. He managed to collect a great wealth. He sent some of his earnings to his friends in Isfahan asking them to build a great mosque in the city. So Hakim Mosque was constructed.
The inscription on the northern entrance is in white Sols on a background of turquoise tiles. The calligrapher has been Mohammad Reza Emami, the famous calligrapher in the Safavid era and the construction ended in 1,073 AH.
On either side of the entrance lie 2 striking and beautiful small tablets, with works of calligraphy in white Nastaeligh on a turquoise context which are made by Mohammad Ali Bin Ostad Ali Beik Banna Esfahani.
On the eastern entrance of the mosque white Nastaeligh on a turquoise context is also seen which reads, 1067 AH.
Inside the Ivan, next to the verses and clauses of the holy Quran the name of Mohammad Reza Emami and the date of 1071 AH are seen. The writings on the dome have again been created by Mohammad Reza Emami in 1069 AH. Also the inscription around the alter has been done by the same calligrapher in 1071 AH.
There are 2 Shabestans (an underground space that can be usually found in traditional architecture of mosques) on the east and west of the dome; the inscription of the eastern Shabestan has been written by Mohammad Reza Emami in 1069 AH and the western inscription has been done by the calligrapher Mohammad Bagher Shirazi in 1254 AH.
The northern Ivan, too, enjoys a couple of amazing inscriptions around which the verses of the holy Quran has been written by Mohammad Reza Emami in 1071 AH.
On either side of the Ivan two small Hojrehs, or Persian rooms, exist which are adorned by poetry in triple lines of simple script.
The western Ivan is also beautified by the verses of the holy Quran by Mohammad Reza Emami in 1073 AH.
The mosque contains a Shabestan with a beautiful ceiling on the west with an amazing and elegant alter which has an inscription in great white Sols.
The famous mosque with its beautiful architecture is among the best religious buildings in Iran which displays unparalleled and precious pieces of calligraphy.
Using this sort of calligraphy in constructions, inspired by Kufic script, dates from Timurid era but it evolved and was promoted in the time of Safavid in Isfahan so that the calligraphers and masters of arts took advantage of it in the holy places and mosques.
Studies carried out indicate that the dome, Shabestan and Maghsureh (a small room where prayers worship) on either side of Hakim Mosque have been built in 2 stages; the first stage goes back to the Safavid era and the second was developed afterwards.
After the construction of Hakim Street, the western side of the mosque has become visible and resulted in growing the number of visitors who come to see the unique building.