The tomb of Sheikh Safiuddin Ardabili, a window to the history and culture of Iran
The tomb of Sheikh Safiuddin Ardabili, a famous mystic and ancestor of the Safavid dynasty, is located in Ardabil city. This complex, which is known as the beating heart of religious tourism in Iran, was built in 735 AH by the order of his son Sadr al-Din Musa, and after the beginning of the Safavid rule, due to the devotion of the Safavid kings to their ancestors, various units were added to it.
Importance and unique features:
Registration in the UNESCO World Heritage: Due to its historical and architectural values, this complex was registered in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1389.
Specialized Museum of Manuscripts: This collection has a specialized museum with more than 3000 volumes of exquisite manuscripts.
Architectural diversity: The Sheikh Safi complex includes various buildings such as a monastery, a mosque, a tomb, a library, and a china house, each of which has its own unique characteristics in terms of architecture.
Exquisite decorations: The tiling, moqrans, painting and plastering decorations in this collection are among the masterpieces of art and architecture of the Safavid period.
To better understand the greatness and beauty of this collection, we mention some examples of its parts:
Allah Allah Dome: This dome is one of the most beautiful domes in Iran, decorated with mosaic tiles and calligraphy. In the center of the dome, the word “Allah” is written in Kufic script. The height of this dome is 17 meters and its diameter is 14 meters.
Haram Mansion: This mansion is the burial place of Sheikh Safi and other nobles of the Safavid dynasty. The painting and plaster decoration of this building is one of the masterpieces of Safavid art. In this mansion, there are 27 exquisite tombstones made of marble and lapis lazuli.
Janat Sera Mosque: This mosque, decorated with tiling and plastering, is an example of Islamic architecture in the Safavid period. The altar of the mosque is decorated with mosaic tiles and calligraphy. Janat Sera Mosque has two tall minarets and a magnificent porch.
In addition to the mentioned items, this complex has other interesting parts such as the china house, the library, the tomb of Shah Ismail Safavi and the tomb of Shah Tahmasab Safavi.
The Sheikh Safiuddin Ardabili complex with its magnificent architecture, exquisite decorations, ups and downs history, and variety of different buildings, is a full-fledged treasure of history and architecture. If you are looking for a trip to the north of Iran, include visiting this collection in your schedule.
