The jameh mosque of Naein:
One of the first mosques in Iran which dates back to more than one thousands and two hundred years ago. This place used to be a fire temple which changed its function to mosque after Islam but kept its Mithraist and Zoroastrianist elements to show its distinction from Arabian mosques as an Iranian one.
It is a very simple but full of elements and motifs from different ideologies in Iran. The whole plan is very similar to the mosque of Muhammad the prophet in Medina. You do not see any colorful item inside or outside the building as in that time Muslims believed in not showing the common beauty in the shapes of sculptures or tile works or even mosaic work so they tried to show the beauty in calligraphies or special motifs also to transfer Persian motifs which were the representatives of Persian culture.
While entering the mosque you just visit a simple mosque but little by little you find out such a great place you are visiting. On the right side there is a maket which shows you the whole structure. Then the nice columns draw your attention by their nice bricks and symbol which are the symbols of Mithraism. The alter and the chapel also give you a sense of peace and the stucco work and its design touches your heart.
There is another winter chapel which lets you feel twenty degrees less than the summer chapel underground which is miraculously lightened by the stones full of florescent. These stones absorb light in day time and enlighten the chapel when there is no light at night time.
To visit this great mosque you should go to Naein which is a historical city between Esfahan and Yazd and has played an important city during the history.
