Iran
Airia Travel
Details
of the monuments covered in "Minarets & Mihrabs"
All
details of the mosques, minarets, mihrabs, and tomb towers written in this page
are quoted from the following source unless stated otherwise:
"Islamic
Architecture, IRAN 1" By Antony Hutt and Leonard Harrow
First
published 1977 by Scorpion Publications Limited
©Text:
Scorpion Publications Ltd 1977
©Photographs:
Scorpion Archives 1977
ISBN
0905906004
The
above source is a truly valuable illustrative and accurate reference on the
development of Islamic architecture in building minarets and tomb towers
in Iran mostly during Seljuq period.
Saveh
Mahallat Kashan
Natanz Ardestan
Zavvareh Na'in
Yazd
Kerman Nayriz
Isfahan Tus
Kashmar Sangbast
Gonbad-e-Kavus
Radkan Bastam
Damghan Semnan
- Imamzadeh
Sayyid Ishaq, Tomb, 1277-78. This structure has suffered from numerous
restorations and is dated from a glazed inscription frieze now covering the
gravestone inside. The strangely shaped dome is probably a later addition.
- Saveh
Ja’ame
Mosque Minaret. Probably the finest of all Iranian Seljuqs minarets this
is dated 1110. It has a series of exquisite raised brick pattern bands
alternating with brick inscriptions, which cover the entire shaft except for
the modern restoration.
- Maydan
Mosque (Masjid-e-Maidan) Minaret, 1061-2. Now a truncated stump
adjoining a sixteenth century mosque, this is the earliest dated minaret in
Iran. The section above the inscription band is a late addition. The
eight-pointed star brick pattern is similar to that above the portal of the
Shaikh Shebil tomb at Damavand.
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- Imamzadeh Abu’l-Fadl wa Yahya, Mihrab, 1308. Located within the
shrine complex of Abu’l-Fadl wa Yahya, most of which dates from the
eighteenth century or later, the Mihrab of 1308 has several Qur’anic
inscriptions as well as decorative motifs executed in stucco.
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- Kashan Ja’ame Mosque Minaret and detail, 1073-4. The mosque itself is an
ancient foundation but most of it now dates from a later restoration. The
tapering minaret with an inscription giving the date now stands over 23
meters high although the upper 5 meters is a later addition. The minaret was
originally free-standing before being enclosed within the later mosque.
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- Shrine
of Abd as- Samad, Natanz 14th century. The elements in the present
complex date from 1304 with subsequent additions and restorations; the lofty
minaret is dated 1325. The pyramidal roof is over the tomb of the Shaikh,
which is dated 1307.
- Shrine
of Abd as-Samad, Minaret, 1325. The upper section of the minaret, which
formerly supported balconies, has cornices formed by stalactites covered
with faience. The shaft is decorated with a series of glazed bricks.
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- Ardestan
Ja’ame
Mosque, 11th century on. This important mosque was probably
built on the site of a Sassanian fire temple. The mosque has at least four
building periods. Started before the Seljuqs, the great dome chamber dates
from the reign of Malikshah, 1072-92, and covered into a four-ivan mosque in
1160, to give it the classical form of the Iranian mosque.
- Ja’ame
Mosque Mihrab, 11th century. The use of stucco to decorate
the dome chamber was brought to a peak under the Seljuqs as demonstrated by
the superbly carved Mihrab. The technique was to be continued under the
Mongols but not surpassed.
- Ja’ame
Mosque Minaret, about 1160. Although the minaret is contemporary with
the mosque’s extension in 1160, it is likely that the upper section dates
from a sixteenth century rebuilding. The present height is 13.31 meters.
- Imam
Hasan Mosque Minaret, 12th century. Now all that remains of a
Seljuqs madrasa, the minaret is probably late twelfth century. The present
height of the minaret is about 13 meters although until recently there
existed an upper section with brick patterns. The minaret was formerly one
of a pair crowning a portal.
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- Paminar
Mosque, detail, 11th and 13th / 14th
centuries. The sanctuary of the mosque has a number of mihrabs and
adjacent areas decorated with some unusual stucco motifs. The various spiral
patterns probably date from the Mongol period overlaying earlier Seljuqs
brickwork, a fragment of which can be seen in the corner of the squinch.
- Paminar
Mosque Minaret, detail, 1068-9. Now about 21 meters high, the minaret
was originally freestanding but was incorporated into the mosque during a
later rebuilding. The inscription band is near the level of the present
roof.
- Zavvareh
Ja’ame
Mosque, Ivan and Arcade, 1135. This fine example of an early four-ivan
mosque is situated in an oasis town on the edge of the central Iranian
desert. The plain brick arcades of its courtyard are highlighted by a simple
monumental inscription while the interior arcading of the dome chamber is
ornamented with carved stucco panels and a superb stucco mihrab.
- Ja’ame
Mosque Minaret, 1135-6. Forming part of the original fabric of the
mosque, the truncated shaft, 11.7 meters high, is set on an octagonal base.
Included in the zones of brick-formed pattern is a restrained use of glazed
bricks marking the appearance of color as exterior ornament in such
minarets.
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-
Na'in Ja’ame Mosque. Built around the middle of the
tenth century, this is one of the oldest Iranian mosques still in use. The
façade of the courtyard is ornamented with simple brick patterns.
-
Ja’ame Mosque Minaret, 10th
century. This minaret is the oldest surviving in Iran. The tapering
octagonal shaft in plain bond has practically no ornament.
-
Ja’ame Mosque, Arcade and Mihrab detail, 10th
century. The piers of the mosque’s arcades have brick-formed patterns
integrating form and decoration. The hood of the niches as with the whole
mihrab and its adjacent arches and piers is covered with exquisite stucco.
The stucco’s complex and detailed patterns have their origins in early
Islamic designs in Mesopotamia, which in turn are inspired by Sassanian
stuccowork.
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-
Davazdah Imam Mausoleum, 11th
century. Now much restored the mausoleum bears the date 1036-7. Above the
square chamber can be seen the shell-like exteriors of the squinches, which
created the octagon to support the dome. The tri-lobed squinches of this
building are amongst the earliest of their type in Iran proper.
-
Yazd Ja’ame Mosque, 12th & 15th
centuries. Originally founded in the 12th century, this mosque
achieved most of its present form in the 14th century under the
Muzaffarids, who first introduced extensive use of tilework into Persian
art, which can still be seen in this mosque in the exquisite tiled mihrab
inside. The most important feature of Yazd Ja’ame Mosque is its soaring
entrance portal added in the Timurids period in the 15th century.
This represents the ultimate embodiment of Timurids architecture’s
emphasis both on the great portal, or iwan (Ivan) – this one is the
highest in Iran – and the mosaic tilework begun under the Muzaffarids. "Warwick
Ball, Civilization of Persia - Historical Notes"
-
Vaqt-o Sa’at Mosque, 14th century.
Originally built as a large complex that incorporated a mosque, theological
school, library and observatory (hence the strange name) but all that
survives now is the tomb of Rukn ud-Din, its founder. "Warwick
Ball, Civilization of Persia - Historical Notes"
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-
Malek Mosque Minaret, Kerman 11th century.
Contemporary with the adjacent mosque dating from the late 11th
century, only about 7.5 meters remains. The inner core of the bricks beneath
the outer layer, which forms the designs is here visible.
-
Jabal-i Sang. Meaning ‘Mountain of Stone’,
this domed chamber is one of the most majestic monuments of southern Iran
and one of the most puzzling. Neither its date nor use can be determined
with certainty, but it probably dates from the late 12th century
and was possibly never finished.
-
Khawje Atabeg Mausoleum, interior, 12th
century. The mausoleum has an unusual plan being octagonal on the exterior
and square inside. The interior is richly decorated with brick patterns and
stucco overlay. There is some use of glazed faience insets and a series of
monumental inscription.
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-
Nayriz Ja’ame Mosque Minaret, 11th
century. The foundation of the mosque was in 973-4, but this minaret may
date from a rebuilding in 1067. It is about 30 meters high and the patterns
formed by the bricks in the upper section are very simple. The mosque itself
is an interesting survival of an indigenous Iranian ivan-type.
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-
Isfahan Ja’ame Mosque – The heart of the Seljuqs
capital of Isfahan lay around the Yahudieh quarter, centered on the great
Friday Mosque (Ja’ame Mosque). This has been described as one of the
greatest mosques in Islam, not only for its splendid proportions but more
for the great variety of styles represented in its complex history making it
a veritable textbook of Persian Islamic architecture. Like nearly all
mosques it centers around courtyard, but unlike most it has several major
vaulted and domed halls surrounding it representing the different stages of
its development. Shortly after entering the mosque from the bazaar, one sees
the massive pillars of the first mosque built here by the Buyids in the
tenth century, and renovations have even uncovered parts of what have a
Sassanian fire temple on the site before Islam. Most of the mosque at it
stands today, however, was laid out in the Seljuqs period in the 11th
and 12th centuries, though considerably enlarged since; a 14th
century oratory endowed by the Mongol Sultan Uljaytu whose magnificent
carved stucco mihrab is one of the most outstanding examples of the
plasterer’s art to be seen anywhere; a Muzaffarids prayer hall in the 14th
century, roofed in a myriad of small brick domes, each dome a different
pattern; a Timurid entrance portal and part subterranean winter prayer hall;
and extensive renovation and tilework embellishment of the facades of the
courtyard in the Safavid period. But the real glory of Isfahan’s Friday
Mosque (Ja’ame Mosque) lies in the Seljuq parts. Chief of these is the
superb brick dome chamber at the southern end of the mosque, built by Nizam
al-Molk. This immense dome, with its associated wide entrance portal facing
the courtyard, is matched by another dome chamber at the northern end
endowed by his rival, Taj al-Molk. Although smaller, the brickwork
decoration of this dome chamber is finer. "Warwick
Ball, Civilization of Persia - Historical Notes"
-
Mihrab of Uljaytu (Ja’ame Mosque), 1310. The
mihrab was constructed for the Il Khanid ruler Uljaytu in a prayer hall
within the old mosque. It is an outstanding example of Mongol stuccowork
with intricate inscriptions and patterns. Two wooden minbars (pulpits) flank
the mihrab, the right-hand one of which is reputed locally to be
contemporary with the mihrab.
-
Rahravan Minaret, detail, 13th
century. This minaret just pre-dates the Mongols. The shaft is simply
decorated but has zones of decoration utilizing glazed bricks of somewhat
indifferent quality.
-
Bagh-e Qush Khana Minaret. This minaret probably
originally formed one of a pair over a monumental portal, a common feature
of the Mongol period. The other buildings of the original complex have now
disappeared, but the glazed brick decoration on the base and the shaft would
suggest a date between 1330 and 1350.
-
Ali Minaret, late 12th century.
Nearly 48 meters high, this minaret is the tallest in Isfahan. The shaft
bears patterns in brick and turquoise faience. An interesting feature is the
use of cavetto cornices.
-
Chehel Dokhtaran Minaret, detail, early 12th
century (1107-8). The upper section of the shaft in plain bond with wide
rising joints is pierced by an opening facing Mecca. The rectangular opening
has a wooden lintel and is flanked by engaged colonnettes supporting a
slightly concave tympanum. Through the opening can be seen the spiral
staircase.
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-
Haruniyeh Tomb, Tus 13th / 14th
centuries. Probably driving from the 12th century tomb of Sanjar
in Soviet Central Asia, general evidence tends to suggest at date around
1300. The exterior is dominated by the great double dome and the massive
exterior wall, whilst the interior is lighter in feeling and has complicated
domed ceilings.
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-
Aliabad Kashmar Tomb Tower, about 1300. The
arched portal is set within a deep rectangular frame, which cuts into the
alternating flanges and half-round columns adorning the twelve-sided
exterior. The octagonal interior is divided into deep niches in two stories
by eight piers, one of which contains a spiral staircase.
-
Firuzabad Minaret, early 12th
century. The minaret’s shaft has a fine herringbone pattern and two
inscription panels. The highly decorated inscription is framed between guard
bands of shaped brick. The guard bands and inscriptions were formerly
covered with stucco in order to clarify and emphasize these zones.
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-
Arsalan Jahib Tomb, about 1028. Seen from the
adjacent minaret, the tomb is probably that of a Ghaznavid official,
Arsalan, who died in 1208. The square chamber is surrounded by a dome
through a deep zone of transition. About the tomb are the remains of former
settlements.
-
Arsalan Jahib Minaret, about 1028. The minaret
is 22 meters high and in the eastern tradition; it may once have been part
of a monumental portal. Patterns are formed by the plain bond of double
structures. An internal spiral staircase ascends to the top where a balcony
formerly existed, supported by the two rows of stalactites still visible.
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-
Radkan Tomb Tower. Built between 1280 and 1300
in northern Khurasan, this is the first tomb tower in Iran to have a series
of engaged half-columns on the exterior. An inscription in light blue glazed
terracotta encircles the tower below the conical roof, but has been damaged
in a number of places.
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Gonbad-e-Qabus Tomb Tower, 1006-7. This
extraordinary structure, which dominates the locality was conceived as a
tomb but obviously served as a symbol of power for its builder Qabus. It is
of fine brick with two bands of simple inscription. Only the base and parts
of the roof have required any restoration.
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-
Shrine of Bayazid, early 14th
century. Since the saint’s death in the ninth century, his tomb has been a
place of pilgrimage and hence of construction. The conical-roofed structure
is the central tomb and local tradition ascribes it to Bayazid himself,
although it has been much restored. The geometric pattern around the façade
of the ivan is of shaped brick and originally included faience, traces of
which still remain.
-
Shrine of Bayazid Minaret, probably 1120-1.
Situated within the shrine complex of the ninth century saint, Bayazid, the
minaret is a fine example of Seljuq brick technique with deep zones of
patterns. A cornice of three tiers at the top originally supported a
balcony. The entire minaret is most richly decorated with stucco infills and
brick plugs.
-
Ja’ame Mosque Mihrab, detail, 1302. Near the
shrine complex is a small mosque with a tomb tower alongside. The mosque
contains a mihrab, which is a fine example of Mongol stucco. The intricate
patterns and inscriptions are similar to such contemporary work as
Uljaytu’s mihrab in Isfahan.
-
Bastam Tomb Tower, detail, 1313. This tomb tower
with its stellate flanges has delicate inscription panels just below the
cornice supporting the roof. The vertical brick joints have decorated
plaster plugs.
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-
Chehel Dokhtaran Tomb Tower, 1054-55. Built
during the ascendancy of the Seljuqs, this tower with its complex brick
patterns continues the tradition of such techniques apparent in other
contemporary buildings in Damghan.
-
Damghan Ja’ame Mosque Minaret. Probably the
first minaret actually built under the Seljuqs around 1058, it has some of
the finest raised brick patterns, the strong sunlight creating an intricate
shadow-play.
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Pir-e Alamdar Tomb Tower, 1026-7. This important
structure was built during a period when the area was controlled by vassals
of the Ghaznavids. There are few traces of the mosque that stood by the
tomb. The fine brick patterns on the tower were adopted in subsequent
buildings both in Damghan and elsewhere.
-
Tarik Khaneh (or Tari Khaneh) Mosque, 8th
century. This is the oldest extant mosque in Iran and although in the simple
Arab plan it retains many elements recalling Iran’s pre-Islamic heritage.
The massive piers and the shape of the arches follow Sassanian prototypes.
Although its foundation dates from the eighth century and it has been
restored on several occasions, the mosque till keeps its original plan and
impressive simplicity.
-
Tarik Khaneh Mosque Minaret, mid-11th
century. Probably dating from about 1027 and thus prior to the Seljuqs, this
tapering cylindrical minaret is one of the finest of its type. The shaft’s
six zones of brick-formed patterns are very complex and the effect of
sunlight with its deeply cast shadows has a dramatic effect. The minaret
replaced an earlier square structure probably contemporary with the adjacent
mosque.
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Semnan Ja’ame Mosque Minaret, 11th
century. Probably built in the first half of the eleventh century, many of
the beautiful brick patterns on the minaret are similar to those seen in the
monuments at Damghan. The balcony rests on a projecting series of
stalactites. Originally the minaret may have been freestanding.
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