Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
PhD Student, Department of architecture, Islamic azad university, Najafabad branch, Najafabad, Iran
2
Assistant professor, Department of urban planning, Islamic Azad university, Najafabad branch, Najafabad, Iran
3
Associate Professor, Department of History, Islamic Azad University, Najafabad branch, Najafabad, Iran
Abstract
Introduction
The announcement of time has played a crucial role in shaping the rhythm of daily life in Islamic cities, much like public clocks in European urban centers demonstrated technological prowess and controlled urban life. Islamic urban architecture, particularly during the Safavid era, emphasized the integration of time-keeping structures into public spaces such as mosques and squares. This research investigates the architectural and cultural significance of time-announcing mechanisms in Iranian Islamic cities, focusing on Naqsh-e Jahan Square in Isfahan, which housed diverse time-keeping structures like the "Shah Clock."
Theoretical Framework
The study explores the historical role of public clocks and time-keeping mechanisms in Islamic urban planning, emphasizing their integration into architectural elements and their role in public and religious life. Drawing on historical texts and the interpretative-historical method, the research connects the development of these structures with advancements in Islamic mechanical engineering and urban design.
Methodology
This qualitative research employs interpretative-historical and descriptive-analytical methods. Primary historical texts and documents were analyzed to trace and identify urban clocks and their functions. The study categorizes these mechanisms based on their technology, cultural significance, and spatial organization in urban environments. Specific examples, such as the Shah Clock of Naqsh-e Jahan Square and the time-keeping structures of Kashan and Yazd, were examined in detail to reconstruct their role in shaping public life and urban identity.
Results and Discussion
Findings indicate that time-keeping structures, such as the Shah Clock, played a multifaceted role in Islamic cities. These mechanisms combined advanced engineering, artistic craftsmanship, and architectural design. They served religious, social, and political purposes, including the announcement of prayer times, structuring urban life, and symbolizing the authority and technological sophistication of ruling powers.
The study highlights the integration of Islamic, Persian, and European time-keeping methods, as evident in the Shah Clock and the Portuguese mechanical clock in Naqsh-e Jahan Square. The presence of artistic elements, such as moving figurines and musical features, added an educational and entertaining dimension, enhancing their public appeal. Moreover, the spatial arrangement of these structures in key urban areas underlined their cultural and social significance.
Conclusion
The study concludes that time-keeping mechanisms in Islamic cities were more than functional devices; they were integral to urban identity, cultural heritage, and public life. The Shah Clock and other similar structures in Isfahan, Yazd, and Kashan exemplify the intersection of technology, art, and religion in Islamic architecture. The absence of many of these structures today underscores the need for further research and preservation efforts to uncover their historical and cultural importance.
This analysis provides valuable insights for contemporary urban planning by emphasizing the cultural and architectural integration of functional and aesthetic elements. Reintroducing such culturally significant structures in modern cities could foster a renewed appreciation of historical identity and urban harmony.
Keywords
Subjects
