Qur’an Gate of Shiraz

Each of the cities of Iran had gates in the past through which commutation would take place. At times some ramparts were built around the city and used guard towers to protect the city from bandits and evildoers. Shiraz also had six gates in the past including the Qur’an Gate.

The Qur’an Gate of Shiraz is located in a gorge called Allah-o-Akbar and between two mountains called Chehel Magham and Baba Kuhi. This Gate is a unique attraction for tourists who are used to modern urban life. According to old stories, in the past, while entering Shiraz through the Qur’an Gate, people would get so amazed by the beauty of this gate that they would chant “Allah-o-Akbar”! Therefore, the hill where the gate of the Qur’an Gate is located is called “Allah-o-Akbar”.

The History and Geography of the Qur’an Gate of Shiraz

Shiraz had six gates in the past: Qur’an Gate, Isfahan Gate, Sa’di Gate, Qassabkhaneh Gate, Kazerun Gate, and Shah Dai Ela Allah Gate of which only the Qur’an Gate is still standing and the other gates have collapsed in the course of history. Qur’an Gate is located at the northern exit of Shiraz towards Marvdasht road.

Construction and Restoration of the Qur’an Gate

This gate was constructed during the rule of the Daylamite king, Azad a-Dawla, in the year 950 AD. Having received much damage over several centuries, the Gate was restored during Karim Khan Zand’s rule toward the end of the 18th century AD. He also ordered two copies of the Holy Quran to be placed in the chambers above the gate so that travelers would pass under the Qur’ans and have a safe trip. This order of Karim Khan was issued based on the old custom of Iranians who believe that travelers who pass under the Holy Qur’an at the beginning of their journey, will return home safely.

The two copies of the Holy Qur’an, which were placed above this gate, were called “Hefdah Man” (Seventeen Man; every Man being 3 kgs.). The reason for this name was the heavy weight of these copies of the Qur’an, which are now kept in the Pars Museum of Shiraz.

The New Building of the Qur’an Gate of Shiraz

By the middle of the 19th century AD, the Qur’an Gate had been several times damaged by earthquakes, and eventually, the gate that had been restored by Karim Khan collapsed in 1936 AD. Some people believe this building had collapsed due to the incompetence of the Shiraz municipality of the time. Some other people, however, believe that since the structure of this gate was uneven and caused problems for cars to pass, the Shiraz municipality destroyed the building using dynamite.

The people of Shiraz being unhappy with the destruction of the Qur’an Gate, this gate was once again built by a businessman named Hossein Igar in the year 1949 AD. The new gate was larger and had sharp arched openings. The architecture of the gate was such that cars, especially big trucks, could pass through it. In addition to the main entrance, two small entrances were also created on both sides, and two rectangular rooms with lattice windows were built above the gate to place copies of the Holy Qur’an in them. These two rooms are decorated with tiles. The staircase located at the western entrance of the building leads to these rectangular rooms. The founder of this new gate, Hossein Igar, and his wife are buried at the eastern entrance of the gate.

Although stone and cement were the main materials used in the construction of this gate, its facade has been decorated using traditional designs. The tilework used on the northern and southern sides of this building is very beautiful and symmetrical. Verses from the Holy Qur’an in thuluth and naskh scripts have been written all around the gate. Qur’an Gate of Shiraz is located in the neighborhood of the tomb of Khwaju Kermani and is considered a recreation site for the people of Shiraz.

Qur’an Gate of Shiraz was inscribed on the list of Iran’s national heritage in the year 1996 AD.

According to old stories, in the past, while entering Shiraz through the Qur’an Gate, people would get so amazed by the beauty of this gate that they would chant “Allah-o-Akbar”!