Soltanieh Dome, World Tallest Edifice

On the south-east of the city of Solatanieh, there lies the Mausoleum of Sultan Mohammad Khodabandeh Oljayto, as one of the largest mausoleums of the Islamic era known as Soltanieh Dome.

Historians believe that when Arghoo khan, son of Abakhan, the forth Mongol chieftain came to power, he decided to build a city as well as a castle in the region, but died before the castle was finished.

According to his will, he was buried near the place, and his son Ghazan khan ordered the construction of a glorious mausoleum on his father’s grave with 12 towers.

After the reign of Oljayto was over, the other son of Arghoo Khan, decided to build a city as well as a glorious mausoleum like his father.

Great artists from different regions came to Soltanieh to participate in the construction of that great masterpiece.

In 702 A.H., the Soltanieh Dome was built on the design of Ghazan Khan Mausoleum as inspired by Soltan Sanjar Mausoleum in Merv. The only difference was that Soltan Sanjar’s Mausoleum was square-shaped whereas Solatanieh’s was octagonal.

The construction of the edifice was over in 710 A.H.

The edifice is considered a great masterpiece of its time, being a model for similar buildings.

Oljayto died in 716 A.H., four years after construction of the mausoleum was over and he was buried there.

Cultural heritage officials are endeavoring hard to have the edifice registered in the list of world heritage.

IS

END

MNA