Ghaffariyeh Dome of Maragheh

Maragheh City of the East Azarbaijan Province of Iran, which was the capital of the Ilkhanate Dynasty at one point in Iran’s history (13th and 14th centuries AD) houses many historical monuments built in that era. One of these monuments is the Ghaffariyeh Dome, which is, in fact, a mausoleum.

A new park has been built near this monument, which is known as “Ghaffariyeh Dome Park”. The location of the Ghaffariyeh Dome next to the Sufi Chay River has doubled its beauty. This river, which is also called “Gapi Chay" or “Saaf River”, originates from Mount Sahand and enters Maragheh from the west. Sufi Chay can be considered the life-giving artery of Maragheh, which after passing through it, flows through Bonab and finally pours into Lake Urmia. Sufi Chay is famous for having pristine and green natural landscapes and passing through historical areas and orchards. This river has a special and spectacular beauty in the four seasons of the year and attracts many tourists.

History of Ghaffariyeh Dome

Ghaffariyeh Dome was built by Abu Saeed Bahadur Khan during the Ilkhanate era, between 1325 and 1328 AD (725 to 728 AH). According to some historical sources, this monument was given this name because the land on which it is built was donated by someone by the name of Nizam al-Din Ahmad ibn Hossein al-Ghaffari after his Hajj pilgrimage during the reign of Sultan Yaqub ibn Hasan Beig Aq Qoyunlu (1478 to 1490 AD).

Architecture and Features of Ghaffariyeh Dome

The overall structure of the Ghaffariyeh Dome is similar to the Red Dome of Maragheh. The building is built in a square shape and on a stone mound and there is a crypt under it. The entrance to the building is located on its north. A large arch and two narrow and long arches adorn this entrance.

The two-meter-high plinth of the building is made of white marble stones. Some marble stones used in this part of the building have dimensions of about 150 x 70 cm. This building had a two-layer dome, which had been severely damaged over the years and was restored in the recent era.

The first thing that attracts visitors is the turquoise color tiles used for decorating the exterior of the building. These turquoise color tiles have been installed in the corners of the building. Mosaic tiles and the turquoise and black color tiled inscriptions of the Ghaffariyeh Dome distinguish this monument from other monuments in Maragheh.

The central archway of the building has been decorated with bricks and black, white, and turquoise color tiles. There is an inscription on this arch, which has been written in black color on a white background in the Rayhani script and decorated with turquoise color arabesque designs. Despite all the damage caused to this building and its façade over the centuries, a large part of this inscription, where the names of its founder and the ruler of the time have been mentioned is still intact.

Every window of the building has a rectangular frame that has been decorated with beautiful motifs of brick and enamel tiles.

The Ghaffariyeh Dome is actually a tomb and the name of the person buried in it is mentioned in a part of the inscription that is not very recognizable.

There is an image of two back-to-back walking sticks, which, in a way, introduces a family named “Chogandaran”. Keeping this sign in view, some historians believe that a person from the same family, who probably held a government position, is buried in the building.

The interior decoration of the building is not much. Some simple and plastered arches can be seen on the upper floor, which was probably a place for holding prayers or the distribution of offerings.

Ghaffariyeh Dome of Margheh was inscribed on the list of Iran’s national heritage in the year 1933.

According to some historical sources, this monument was given this name because the land on which it is built was donated by someone by the name of Nizam al-Din Ahmad ibn Hossein al-Ghaffari after his Hajj pilgrimage during the reign of Sultan Yaqub ibn Hasan Beig Aq Qoyunlu (1478 to 1490 AD).