Maragheh Observatory

Man has always longed to know the skies, which have been believed to play the role of determining his destiny and fate. Even today, man’s greatest questions and uncertainties are somehow related to the skies, and in order to understand the skies he has established certain scientific centers. The Maragheh Observatory is considered to be one of the most important of these centers, which were usually built at such heights and environments that made it possible to access clear and cloudless skies. This observatory has had a very high place in the history of Iranian science. It is very well known among Iranians and is considered one of the centers that has been a symbol of the high scientific level of this land for several centuries.

When Was the Maragheh Observatory Established?

Maragheh Observatory was established during the time of the Mongol Ilkhanate Dynasty (thirteenth century AD). Historical studies show that the Mongol tribes were mostly engaged in wars and conquest and science did not have a high place among them, therefore, the establishment of such an important center during the rule of these tribes in Iran is a strange phenomenon.

It has been recorded that after getting acquainted with Iranian culture and scientific achievements, Hulegu Khan (Genghis’s grandson who founded the Ilkhanate in 1256 AD and died in 1265 AD) invited Khwaja Nasir al-Din Tusi, who was a famous scientist and politician, to his court and consulted him on various issues. In 1259 AD, Khwaja Nasiruddin suggested the establishment of an observatory in Maragheh, which was accepted by Hulegu Khan, and this scientific center was founded.

Usage of Maragheh Observatory

It is said that Khwaja Nasir had collected 400,000 volumes of books during his trips to the scientific centers of the world at that time, especially Baghdad, which were stored in the Maragheh Observatory and made available to everyone.

The observatory was used to conduct research that resulted in the production of the valuable book “Zij-e Ilkhani”, written by Khawaja Nasir. This book was compiled in 1276, and its oldest copy is kept in the National Library of Paris.

The observatory was not only used for astronomical activities and research but was a vast scientific organization that scientists of all sciences of that time frequented. Considering that the Mongols dominated important parts of China at that time, the presence of Chinese scientists in this center was very prominent. All the people working in the observatory were paid on a daily basis.

Architecture and Features of Maragheh Observatory

The observatory was built on a hill with approximate dimensions of 510 x 217 meters and with a height of 110 meters. Stone and plaster were used to build the building. Different parts of the observatory included a central tower, five circular units, a library, a residential quarter of scientists, a mosque, a school, underground corridors, and large workshops for scientists to conduct their experiments.

The diameter of the central tower of the building is about 22 meters and its walls are about 80 cm thick. There was a corridor with six rooms inside this tower, of which four were rectangular-shaped.

A few decades after its establishment, this observatory was subjected to negligence and its structure began to be destroyed. However, its importance was so great that similar buildings were established in the important cities of that era, such as Samarkand (Tajikistan), Istanbul, Ujjain and Banaras (India), and Shanghai (China). In recent years, a dome has been built over the main part of the observatory to prevent the destruction of the rest of its building.

Maragheh observatory was inscribed on the list of Iran’s national heritage in 1985 AD as an important site and historical scientific center.

In 1259 AD, Khwaja Nasiruddin suggested the establishment of an observatory in Maragheh, which was accepted by Hulegu Khan, and this scientific center was founded.