Safavid

Persian architecture from 1501–1736.

Overview

Safavid architecture used brick and tilework for mosques and palaces with vibrant colors and large domes.

Core Characteristics

• Colorful tilework and iwans.
• Symmetrical layouts.
• Religious and civic focus.

Notable Examples

• Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque (Iran, 1619, tiled mosque).
• Ali Qapu Palace (Iran, 1597, brick palace).

Architectural Connections

• Religious: Mosques and shrines.
• Middle Eastern: Regional prominence.
• Islamic Architecture: Core movement.

Influence and Legacy

Safavid architecture influenced Mughal architecture with its ornate designs.

Related Concepts & Architects

Local Traditional (related architect), Ornamentation (theory), Iwan (element), Islamic Architecture (movement)