Sheikh Safi al-Din Khānegāh and Shrine Ensemble

UNESCO World Heritage Site

Sheikh Safi al-Din Khānegāh and Shrine Ensemble
Name as inscribed on the World Heritage List
Type	Cultural
Criteria	i, ii, iv
Reference	1345
UNESCO region	Asia-Pacific
Inscription history
Inscription	2010 (34th Session)

Sheikh Safi al-Din Khānegāh and Shrine Ensemble (Persian: مجموعه آرامگاه و خانقاه شیخ صفی الدین‎‎) is the tomb of Sheikh Safi-ad-din Ardabili located in Ardabil, Iran.^[1] In 2010, it was registered on the UNESCO World Heritage List.^[2]

History

Sheikh Safi, an eminent leader of an Islamic Sufi order established by the Safavids, was born in Ardabil where this complex is located. The Safavids valued the tomb-mosque form, and the tomb with its mausoleum and prayer hall is located at a right angle to the mosque. The buildings in the complex surround a small inner courtyard (31 by 16 meters). The complex is entered through a long garden.^[3]

Plan of complex

The Mausoleum of Sheikh Safi, in Ardabil, was first built by his son Sheikh Sadr al-Dīn Mūsā, after Sheikh Safi’s death in 1334.^[4] It was constructed between the beginning of the 16th century and the end of the 18th century. The mausoleum, a tall, domed circular tower decorated with blue tile and about 17 meters in height; beside it is the 17th-century Porcelain House preserving the sanctuary's ceremonial wares.^[3] Also part of the complex are many sections that have served a variety of functions over the past centuries, including a library, a mosque, a school, mausolea, a cistern, a hospital, kitchens, a bakery, and some offices. It incorporates a route to reach the shrine of the sheikh divided into seven segments, which mirror the seven stages of Sufi mysticism. Various parts of the mausoleum are separated by eight gates, which represent the eight attitudes of Sufism.^[5][6]

Several parts were gradually added to the main structure during the Safavid dynasty. A number of Safavid sheikhs and harems and victims of the Safavids’ battles, including the Battle of Chaldiran, have been buried at the site.

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  Mausoleums with blue tile
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  Inner courtyard
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  A decorative stone sculpture of Safavid era, decorated with attributes of God (reading ya hannan, ya mannan) (O merciful, O generous )
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  Persian Islamic art in the tomb

this mon ument is in the ali ghapu area

References

1. "Sheikh Safi al-din Khānegāh and Shrine Ensemble in Ardabil - UNESCO World Heritage Centre". Whc.unesco.org. 2010-07-29. Retrieved 2010-08-02.
2. Source: Unescopress. "World Heritage Committee inscribes seven cultural sites on World Heritage List | United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization". Unesco.org. Retrieved 2010-08-02.
3. Ching, D.K. (2007). A Global History of Architecture. Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. p. 479. ISBN 0-471-26892-5.
4. Square Kufic
5. Sheikh Safi al-din Khānegāh and Shrine Ensemble in Ardabil - UNESCO World Heritage Centre
6. tehran times : Two more Iranian sites added to UNESCO World Heritage List

http://www.irantourismcenter.com/?page_id=7130

External links

• Sheikh Safi al-Din Ardabili's Mausoleum Virtual Tour
• More Pictures, Tishineh