TEHRAN - The possibility of the metro line crossing in proximity to the UNESCO-designated Jameh Mosque of Isfahan is currently under examination by the Iran University of Science and Technology.

On Tuesday, the CEO of Isfahan Urban Railway Organization, Seyyed Mohsen Vaezifar, announced that the matter is currently undergoing consultation and studies with the expertise of the prestigious Tehran university.

One of the proposed options for the route of Isfahan Metro Line 2 involves passing beneath Imam Ali Square, an area situated near the Jameh Mosque, IRNA reported.

He added several options were considered for the metro crossing that line, but the one that was deemed more favorable in terms of cultural heritage and minimizing the likelihood of damage to historical artifacts was the option of passing the metro beneath Imam Ali Square.

In a previous excavation operation for the construction of an underpass at Imam Ali Square, numerous artifacts dating from the Parthian to Islamic periods were unearthed, shedding light on the historical layers of Isfahan's past.

The Jameh Mosque of Isfahan, also known as Atiq Mosque, has a history spanning over a thousand years and is believed to have been constructed upon the foundations of an ancient fire temple.

UNESCO has it that the mosque can be seen as a stunning illustration of the evolution of mosque architecture over twelve centuries. The complex, covering more than 20,000 square meters, is also the first Islamic building that adapted the four-courtyard layout of Sassanid palaces to Islamic religious architecture.

Throughout history, the mosque complex has evolved into its current condition as extensions have been added. Therefore, this building cannot be attributed to any particular historical era.

Soaked in a rich history and culture, Isfahan was once a crossroads of international trade and diplomacy in Iran. Now, it is one of Iran’s top tourist destinations for good reasons. The ancient city is filled with many architectural wonders, such as unmatched Islamic buildings, bazaars, museums, Persian gardens, and tree-lined boulevards.

AFM