This article seeks to explore the intricate relationship between economics and architecture, employing Marx's framework to unravel the decision-making behind the construction of Shah Abbasi mosques. Marx's perspective, emphasizing the economy as the foundational base, dismisses alternative explanations rooted in politics or religion as primary motivations for architectural choices. An analysis of significant religious and political centers, including Qom, Khorasan, Qazvin, Tabriz, and Ardabil, revealed an absence of Shah Abbasi mosques, challenging explanations solely based on religious or political considerations. Subsequently, attention turned to economically vital cities like Gilan, Isfahan, and Bandar Abbas, where the flourishing silk trade and the North-South Silk Road influenced the construction of caravanserais and baths, prioritizing economic structures over Shah Abbasi mosques. Supporting the claim that economic factors influenced the mosque construction, the presence of Shah Abbasi mosques in economically prosperous regions like Farah Abad and Isfahan was highlighted. Conversely, the absence of a Shahi Mosque in Bandar Abbas was attributed to security concerns and the perceived risk of foreign attacks. Through the application of Marx's framework, it becomes evident that the economic base, reflective of material conditions and production forces, played a pivotal role in shaping the architectural landscape of Shah Abbasi mosques. The spatial distribution of these mosques aligns with economic hubs, reinforcing Marx's assertion that economic structures profoundly influence societal manifestations, even in architectural endeavors.
