Soltaniyeh

Overview

The mausoleum of Oljaytu was constructed in 1302–12 in the city of Soltaniyeh, the capital of the Ilkhanid dynasty, which was founded by the Mongols. Situated in the province of Zanjan, Soltaniyeh is one of the outstanding examples of the achievements of Persian architecture and a key monument in the development of its Islamic architecture. The octagonal building is crowned with a 50 m tall dome covered in turquoise-blue faience and surrounded by eight slender minarets. It is the earliest existing example of the double-shelled dome in Iran. The mausoleum’s interior decoration is also outstanding and scholars such as A.U. Pope have described the building as ‘anticipating the Taj Mahal’.

Selection Criteria

(ii)(iii)(iv)

Components(14 locations)

• •Tappeh Nur Kuchak (not marked but the only unmarked site is 303300 4033850)1188-012
• •Karvangah1188-004
• •Tappeh Dur1188-009
• •Fenjanabad1188-011
• •Seh Tappeh1188-002
• •Qush Khaneh1188-006
• •Tappeh Qal'eh1188-003
• •Chelebi Oghlu1188-005
• •Emamzadeh Dur1188-010
• •Ruins and kilns1188-008
• •Soltaniyeh Dome1188-001
• •Tappeh Nur (TombTower)1188-013
• •Mollah Hassan Kashi Tomb1188-007
• •Soltaniyeh pasture including Mostafa Khan site1188-014

Details

Countries

Iran (Islamic Republic of)

ISO Codes

IR

Area

790.146 ha

Coordinates

36.4353, 48.7967