Imamzadeh Chaharmanar

Imamzadeh Chaharmanar
امامزاده علی بن مجاهد
Religion
AffiliationShia (Twelver) (former)
Ecclesiastical or organizational statusImamzadeh and mausoleum
StatusClosed (since 1965)
Location
LocationTabriz, East Azerbaijan province
CountryIran
Location of the complex in Iran
Geographic coordinates38°04′54″N 46°17′29″E / 38.0817717°N 46.2913747°E / 38.0817717; 46.2913747
Architecture
TypeIslamic architecture
StyleSeljuk
Completed
Specifications
Lengthc.6 m (20 ft)
Dome(s)1
Minaret(s)4
MaterialsBricks
Official nameImamzadeh Chaharmanar
TypeBuilt
Conservation organizationCultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization of Iran

The Imamzadeh Chaharmanar (Persian: امامزاده علی بن مجاهد), also known locally as Imamzadeh Ali ibn Mujaheed, is a forner Twelver Shi'ite imamzadeh and mausoleum complex, located in Tabriz, Iran.[1] It was built during the Seljuk period. The complex was added to the Iran National Heritage List and is administered by the Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization of Iran.[2][3][1]

The mausoleum contains the tomb of Ali ibn Mujaheed, a descendant of the fourth Ahlulbayt Imam, Ali ibn Husayn Zayn al-Abidin, as well as two of the rulers of the Rawadid dynasty. The mausoleum is located next to the historic Gharabaghi Mosque, but unlike the mosque, it has been closed since 1965.[4]

Etymology

The name "Chaharmanar" means "four minarets" in Persian. This is because the mausoleum has four identical minarets on each of its corners.

History

An inscription on the building gives the first construction to a time during the Seljuk period.[3][5] In the 11th century, the Rawadid ruler Abu'l-Hayja Mamlan I and his son, Abu Mansur Wahsudan were buried in the mausoleum.[3] The mausoleum also survived the 1721 Tabriz earthquake.[3]

In the year 1863, major repairs were done, under orders of Qajar princess, Zia ol-Saltaneh, daughter of Fath-Ali Shah Qajar.[3]

Modern history

The place was shut down in 1965, and it has been locked ever since then.[2] Residents of Tabriz complained about the neglect of the mausoleum, and how the Gharabaghi Mosque next to it received renovations and was active[6] in contrast to the mausoleum.[1][7] In 1975, the government did issue a statement expressing interest in restoring the mausoleum, but not much had been done.[1] The mausoleum was not reopened for public access either.[1]

Architecture

The mausoleum is a square building made out of brick[5] which has a large dome and four raised minarets, one in each corner.[5] The mausoleum is entered through a door on its southern side.[5] Inside the mausoleum, on the western side, there is an opening in the floor that leads into a basement and cellar.[5] Inside the cellar is the tomb of Ali ibn Mujaheed, and it has a meshed wooden zarih enclosing it.[5]

Burials

  • Ali ibn Mujaheed - a descendant of the fourth Imam, Ali ibn Husayn Zayn al-Abidin[8]

Rawadid rulers

  • Abu'l-Hayja Mamlan I - Third amir of the Rawadid dynasty
  • Abu Mansur Wahsudan - son of Abu'l-Hayja Mamlan I and the fourth amir of the Rawadid dynasty

Shi'ite clerics

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e امامزاده چهار منار ساخته در دوره سلجوقیان تبریز در حال تخریب است (in Persian). March 17, 2018. Archived from the original on March 17, 2018. Retrieved December 4, 2023.
  2. ^ a b غبار فراموشي و غربت بر مزار نواده امام سجاد (ع) / چه كسي پاسخگوست؟. irna.ir (in Persian).
  3. ^ a b c d e f g بقعه علی‌بن‌مجاهد در آستانه تخریب قرار دارد - تسنیم. خبرگزاری تسنیم [Tasnim] (in Persian). Retrieved December 4, 2023.
  4. ^ "بقعه "علی‌بن‌مجاهد" در آستانه تخریب قرار دارد - تسنیم". خبرگزاری تسنیم | Tasnim (in Persian). Retrieved December 4, 2023.
  5. ^ a b c d e f زاده, مرضیه فلاح (April 9, 2015). "امامزاده علی بن مجاهد (ع) تبریز". گردشگری ایران (in Persian). Retrieved December 4, 2023.
  6. ^ "بقعه "علی‌بن‌مجاهد" در آستانه تخریب قرار دارد - تسنیم". خبرگزاری تسنیم | Tasnim (in Persian). Retrieved December 4, 2023.
  7. ^ "بقعه "علی‌بن‌مجاهد" در آستانه تخریب قرار دارد - تسنیم". خبرگزاری تسنیم | Tasnim (in Persian). Retrieved December 4, 2023.
  8. ^ (چهارمنار، محله کمترشناخته‌شده تبریز) Chaharmanar, a lesser-known neighborhood of Tabriz Islamic Culture and Relations Organization