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<A HREF = "hashti.gif"> <IMG ALT="Hashti" SRC="hashti16.gif" WIDTH=121 HEIGHT=200 ALIGN="LEFT"></A>
<H1 ALIGN="Right">The Masjed-e-Hakim<BR>Transition Space<BR>The Hashti or Vestibule</H1>
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Entering the ancient doorway you step into a small enclosed <I>Hashti</I>, or hallway. Here you are
forced to redirect your steps away from the street and the opportunity is given to purify yourself before
entering the mosque, using water from the large font seen in this illustration.<BR>
The Hashti, a concept borrowed from domestic architecture, enables the architect to turn the steps of the
believer into the correct orientation for prayer, as well as marking a transitional space between the <A
HREF = "../glossary/eivan/eivan.html">eivan</A> which leads into it and the courtyard which becomes
its culmination. By later <A HREF = "../glossary/history.html#safavid">Safavid</A> times this design
was well established and this is an excellent example of its use.<BR>
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<A HREF = "meidan.html"> <IMG ALT="Up Arrow"SRC ="../up16.gif"></A> Enter the Main
Square.<BR>
<A HREF = "mashakim.html"> <IMG ALT="Down Arrow"SRC ="../down16.gif"></A> Back to the
Entrance.<BR>
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<A HREF = "../masjed.html"> <IMG ALT=""SRC ="../masbtn16.gif"></A> Other Mosques and
Shrines<BR>
<A HREF = "../isfahan.html"> <IMG ALT=""SRC ="../home16.gif"></A> Isfahan Home Page
23-January-95
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