Construction of the mosque started in the year 1825.[2] It was built over an older plot of land planned for a mosque that was formerly owned by Safavid ruler, Soltan Hoseyn, but a mosque could not be built there until the Qajar era due to the invasion of Nader Shah Afshar and Hotaks.[4][2] After the death of Mohammad Bagher Shafti, only the tiling of the southern part of the mosque had been completed.[5] He was buried in the northeastern section of the mosque as well. The grandson of the cleric and subsequent descendants assisted in continuing the construction of the mosque.[5] Inscriptions date the whole construction process to be around 130 years, divided into four stages.[2][5] In the modern age, the mosque was damaged during the Iran-Iraq war.[2] It was then neglected due to disputes amongst the remaining family of Bagher Shafti.[1] In 2023, restoration and renovation works were planned to be carried out.[1]
Architecture
The prayer hall of the Seyyed Mosque with its many arched columns visible
The plan and base of the Seyyed Mosque is generally a rectangular shape.[4] The mosque has two domes, the smaller, northeastern one over the mausoleum of Mohammad Bagher Shafti and his family.[5][3] The mosque has four main iwans leading to it, as well as a lot of corridors within the structure.[5][2][3] The exterior of the mosque is enhanced with Qajar-era decorative tiling.[5][4][3]
The clock tower of Seyyed Mosque
The mosque does not have a minaret.[2][4][5][3] Instead, it has a tall clock tower, located behind one of the iwans. In general, the architecture of the mosque, especially the window design[2] is student-friendly, so that it could be used as a school or madrasah in the 19th century as well.[2]
Gallery
Seyyed Mosque at night
A closeup of one of the entrances of Seyyed Mosque
Qajar-era decorative tilework
The tomb of Bagher Shafti, enclosed by a metal zarih
One of the musalla rooms in the mosque, with a fine mihrab preserved
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