Jom'eh Mosque

The most remarkable building in Semnan in terms of its beauty and architectural technique, is Masjed-e Jom'eh, whose minaret (attributed to it because of its vicinity) in the north eastern corner of the mosque with its Kuffic inscription upon its brick surface dates from the 12th century AD (Seljuk period) and whose high ivan, built in the 15th century AD, contains an attractive carved stucco mihrab, and bears an inscription dated 1425 AD in the name of the Timurid sovereign Shahrokh, son of Tamerlane, The minaret, known as the Minar-e Masjid-e Jam 'e, is equipped with 91 spiral steps leading to its peak, and several holes on its body for lighting the inside area of the structure. In three corners of its courtyard, impressive prayer halls have been constructed which seem to defy the passage of time on account of their strong columniation. Several historic firmans (royal decrees) can be seen in the ivan of the mosque, which have been carved on stone and which bear the dates 1554-1612-1629 and 1694 AD.