Decorated stone-carved outdoor gallery of the Dome of Soltaniyeh in Soltaniyeh city, Zanjan Province, Iran
Wikipedia: The Dome of Soltaniyeh in Soltaniyeh city, Zanjan Province, Iran, traditionally so called, is a complex of ruins centering on the Mausoleum of the Mongol ruler Il-khan Öljeitü, also known as Muhammad Khodabandeh. The main building, erected between 1302 and 1312 AD, may have the oldest double-shell dome in Iran, a view of the construction made by Dieulafoy, but this has been disputed by André Godard. In Godard's view, it is a normal, if spectacularly large dome, with a thin skin on top for the faience, and is not a double dome. However, its importance in the Muslim world is undoubted and it may be compared to that of Brunelleschi's cupola for Christian architecture. It is one of the largest brick domes in the world, just at the theoretical engineering limit for a brick dome and the third largest dome in the world after the domes of Florence Cathedral and Hagia Sophia. The Dome of Soltaniyeh paved the way for more daring Iranian-style cupola constructions in the Muslim world, such as the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasavi and the Taj Mahal. Much of its exterior decoration has been lost, but the interior retains superb mosaics, faience, and murals. People have described the architecture of the building as “anticipating the Taj Mahal.” The estimated 200 ton dome stands 49 meters (161 ft) tall from its base, and is currently undergoing extensive renovation. The Tomb of Oljeitu was one of the largest religious endowments of the 14th century,[8] and was utilized for multiple functions, such as Quran reading, praying, teaching, housing, and medical purposes. The main building is approximately 125 feet across and is crowned by a dome with an average diameter of 80 feet. The tomb is highly visible, due to its unique incorporation of eight minarets enclosing the dome above the gallery. More specifically, Oljeitu’s complex consists of four iwans connected by arcades with muqarnas surrounding the perimeter of a courtyard; this was considered the classic Iranian style.
Size: 4912px × 7360px
Location: Soltaniyeh city, Zanjan Province, Iran
Photo credit: © Bert de Ruiter / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No
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