Introduction
Rising from Iran’s central desert landscape is the awe-inspiring dome of Soltaniyeh. Created in the 14th century as the mausoleum of Mongol ruler Oljeitu, this architectural marvel pushed Persian dome building to new heights. With its double-shelled dome, dazzling tilework, and octagonal brick structure, Soltaniyeh represents the ultimate expression of Ilkhanid art and architecture. In this article, we’ll explore the history, design, and enduring majesty of the Dome of Soltaniyeh.
Overview of Soltaniyeh
Soltaniyeh, meaning “town of the Sultans”, lies 240km northwest of Tehran in Iran’s Zanjan province. The site was chosen by the Ilkhanid Mongol ruler Oljeitu to serve as his capital city in the early 1300s. At its center, Oljeitu commissioned a monumental tomb for himself and his predecessors.
Construction of the Soltaniyeh Dome began in 1302 and took over a decade to complete. The mausoleum complex covers over 6000 square meters. At the core stands the stunning brick dome rising 50m above the ground. The dome’s diameter is 25m, making it the 3rd largest in the world after the Pantheon in Rome and the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul.
In plan, the structure follows a octagonal design integrating monumental entrance gates called ivan. The interior was once decorated with magnificent azure and gold tilework and house royal tombs. While now stripped bare, the perfectly proportioned dome still astounds with its architectural daring and technical mastery.
Historical & Cultural Context
The Ilkhanids were one of several Central Asian empires established after the Mongol invasion of Persia under Genghis Khan in the 1200s. After Genghis Khan’s grandson Hulagu conquered Iran, the Ilkhanid dynasty was established.
Oljeitu, the Ilkhanid ruler who commissioned Soltaniyeh, sought to integrate Persian and Islamic artistic traditions with his Mongol heritage. The Soltaniyeh mausoleum synthesized Chinese and Persian precedents in its architectural form and decoration. Situated on the old Silk Road route, Soltaniyeh also welcomed merchants and envoys from diverse cultures.
Soltaniyeh represents the pinnacle of Ilkhanid architecture, which fused influences from across the Mongol domains. The complex featured Zoroastrian, Buddhist, Nestorian Christian, and Islamic spaces and imagery – reflecting Ilkhanid cosmopolitanism under Oljeitu’s rule.
Overview of the Dome Architecture
The dome of Soltaniyeh remains the most architecturally significant aspect of the mausoleum today. Some key features include:
- Double-shelled dome structure with inner and outer layers
- Inner dome topped by an elegant sail vault
- Outer dome covered in gleaming azure tiles
- Octagonal base transitioning to the circular dome via squinches
- Eight tall arched iwans surrounding the domed chamber
- Main iwan aligned on the southwest axis towards Mecca
This harmonious fusion of forms resulted in a dome that towered over the landscape yet appeared weightless. The double-shell construction created extra stability allowing greater height. The azure tilework on the outer shell gives the dome its characteristic brilliant blue color.
The Soltaniyeh dome showcased technical innovation by Persian architects that allowed dome construction to achieve unprecedented new heights. Its design would influence Timurid and Safavid architecture for centuries.
Interior Decoration & Tombs
While mostly bare today, the interior of Soltaniyeh dome was once magnificently decorated. Ceramic tilework covered the walls, iwans, and inner dome shell in elaborate floral and geometric designs. Muqarnas detailed the cupolas and squinches in ornate 3D patterns.
Beneath the dome originally stood the octagonal crypt containing the tombs of Oljeitu and his family. These were likely surrounded by woven silk curtains, vases of flowers, and other ornaments. Quranic inscriptions in Kufic and Thuluth script encircled the interior. Gilded paintings depicting Heavens and the Afterlife adorned the dome’s concave surface.
This lavish decoration created a serene, otherworldly atmosphere for commemorating the Ilkhanid rulers. Tragically, most of these finishes were stripped away or destroyed after Soltaniyeh’s demise. Yet they highlighted the diversity of artistic media and styles the Ilkhanids synthesized.
Decline & Recognition as World Heritage
Following Oljeitu’s death, Soltaniyeh began declining in importance. The capital shifted to Tabriz and later dynasties allowed the mausoleum to fall into disrepair. Earthquakes inflicted further damage over the centuries. Despite decay and looting, the great dome endured due to its resilient structure.
Finally in 2005, over 700 years after its completion, the Dome of Soltaniyeh was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This designation requires the Iranian government to actively conserve and manage the site. Soltaniyeh was hailed as “an architectural masterpiece particularly noteworthy for the innovation of its double-shelled dome and elaborate interior decoration.”
This protection comes just in time, as the dome urgently requires careful restoration. With its renewed international renown, the future now looks brighter for preserving Soltaniyeh’s majesty.
Visiting Soltaniyeh
Soltaniyeh lies just outside the modern town of the same name in Iran’s Zanjan province. It can be visited by private car or taxi service from Zanjan, which lies about 3 hours from Tehran by bus.
The octagonal dome chamber is the highlight. Climbing up via one of the iwans reveals the enormous interior space and soaring height of the brick dome. While the decoration is gone, its perfect proportions and two-layered structure can still be appreciated. The surrounding prayer hall and mausoleum ruins are also open to explore.
With Soltaniyeh’s UNESCO designation, visitor facilities like a museum and interpretive signs will likely improve soon. But for now, the sublime dome alone is worth the trip for architecture enthusiasts. In Soltaniyeh, the ultimate evolutionary stage of Persian dome building can be witnessed.
Conclusion
The Dome of Soltaniyeh stands as a monument to the creative zenith of Ilkhanid architecture under Oljeitu’s patronage. Its innovative double dome permitted unprecedented heights and majesty. While damaged over time, the dome still retains its imposing, awe-inspiring grandeur. With ongoing conservation efforts, the future of this Persian architectural treasure now looks brighter. Soltaniyeh deserves its place alongside quintessential landmarks like Isfahan and Persepolis in representing the pinnacle of Iranian Islamic design.
