Turquoise dome
Tiles over brick.
Farzad Yousefian — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Ninara from Helsinki, Finland — CC BY 2.0 · Fateme moeinifar — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Kaveh1359 — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Roohparvar17903 — CC BY-SA 4.0
The Dome of Soltaniyeh is a historic mausoleum and complex in the town of Soltaniyeh, Zanjan province, built as the tomb of the Ilkhanid ruler Öljaitü, also known as Muhammad Khodabandeh. It is part of the Soltaniyeh UNESCO World Heritage Site, listed in 2005, about 38 km in a straight line from Zanjan. It was built between 1307 and 1313 as the centrepiece of a larger complex with a mosque, residences and other buildings, most of them now lost. Soltaniyeh was the Ilkhanid capital in the 14th century. Its design paved the way for bolder domes across the Islamic world, such as the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi and the Taj Mahal. The double-shelled dome is one of the largest brick domes in the world, almost 25 metres across and about 50 metres high, clad in turquoise tiles and ringed by minarets. Much of the outer decoration is lost, but the interior keeps superb mosaics, faience and painted geometric and star patterns. The building is under extensive restoration, so scaffolding may cover parts of it. The UK Foreign Office currently advises against all travel to Iran and warns that British nationals risk detention, so check official guidance before making any plans. We could not confirm the current state of this site.
Tiles over brick.
Star patterns.
Around the dome.
Soltaniyeh, Zanjan province, Iran
The Ilkhanid ruler Öljaitü.
Yes, though scaffolding may cover parts during restoration.