Experts with Iranian Cultural heritage Organization (CHO) warned that constant flow of sewage under Isfahan’s Grand mosque is gravely damaging its foundations, thus increasing the risk of its collapse.

Over the last 3 years, sewage permeation has severely damaged foundations of this unique mosque and one can clearly see the warped walls defacing the historical monument. Experts believe the pipeline designed to take out sewage from houses in the area is the main culprit.

“The pipes are buried 4 to 5 meters under the ground and now their leakage is put the very existence of the mosque in jeopardy,” warned Mohammad Hassan Mohebali, an advisor to the head of CHO.

The oldest historical monument in the central city, the Isfahan grand mosque has recently been seen water leaking from what is suspected to be run-down sewage pipes in the area to the wall of its Beit ol-Sheta sanctuary.

Other old homes, such as that of Sheikh Baha’i, have also been affected. The local cultural heritage department officials have been meeting with their counterparts at the water and sewage company in an effort to coordinate a measure to correct the problem.

The Isfahan Grand Mosque is viewed as a treasury of the development of the Iranian architecture and Islamic art. Two Nezam ol-Molk and Taj ol-Molk domes in the mosque are among the most dazzling from the Seljuk era. The Oljayto altar and the Beit ol-Sheta sanctuary are shining examples of Iranian architectural art.