Ilkhanid architecture was a period inIranian andIslamic architecture corresponding with theMongol-ruledIlkhanate in and around theregion of Iran. Architecture in this region and period continued earlier Iranian Islamic features but brought advancements in the design of domed structures and in the production ofglazed tile decoration. These developments set the stage for later periods, includingTimurid architecture.^[1][2]

From the 13th century to the early 16th century, Iran and Central Asia came under the control of two major dynasties descended from the Mongol conquerorGenghis Khan, the Ilkhanids (1256–1353) and theTimurids (1370–1506). This period saw the construction of some of the largest and most ambitious Iranian monuments of the Islamic world.^[3] The Ilkhanids were initially traditional nomadic Mongols, but at the end of the 13th century,Ghazan Khan (r. 1295–1304) converted to Islam and aided a cultural and economic resurgence in which urban Iranian culture was of primary importance. Ilkhanid vassals, like theMuzaffarids and theJalayirids, also sponsored new constructions.^[3]

Ilkhanid architecture elaborated earlierIranian traditions. In particular, greater attention was given to interior spaces and how to organize them. Rooms were made taller, while transverse vaulting was employed and walls were opened with arches, thus allowing more light and air inside.^[3]Muqarnas, which was previously confined to covering limited transitional elements likesquinches, was now used to cover entire domes and vaults for purely decorative effect. The Tomb of'Abd al-Samad inNatanz (1307–8), for example, is covered inside by an elaboratemuqarnas dome that is made from stucco suspended below the pyramidal vault that roofs the building.^[3]

Brick remained the main construction material, but more color was added through the use of tile mosaic, which involved cutting monochrome tiles of different colors into pieces that were then fitted together to form larger patterns, especiallygeometric motifs and floral motifs.^[3]Carved stucco decoration also continued. Some exceptional examples in Iran come from this period, including a wall of carved stucco in theMausoleum of Pir-i Bakran in Linjan (nearIsfahan),^[4] and amihrab added in 1310 to theJameh Mosque of Isfahan. The latter is one of the masterpieces of Islamic sculptural art from this era, featuring multiple layers of deeply carved vegetal motifs, along with a carved inscription.^[5]

The Ikhans commissioned various urban design and expansion projects theAzerbaijan region, including the cities ofMaragha,Tabriz, andSoltaniyeh.^[6] Apart from these urban projects, the Ilkhans continued to reside in the countryside with elaborate tents of considerable size and expensive fabrication. Other facilities were also set up in temporary tent structures, including mosques. These and other fragile structures have not survived.^[3]

One of the earliest structures for which remains have been found are an astronomical observatory built byHulegu in 1258 in Maragha. Built of brick and decorated with tiles, it had a large central tower hosting aquadrant.^[3]Abaqa (r. 1265–1282) built a palace complex over the remains of an ancientZoroastrian fire temple inTakht-e Soleyman (or Takht-i Sulaymān), the ruins of the formerSasanian temple of Shiz.^[6][3] Though now ruined, it is the only Ilkhanid palace for which there are still physical remains. One of the main structures featured a courtyard with a central pool surrounded by galleries and fouriwans, one of which led to a large domed hall, possibly the throne room, on the site of the former temple. Across the courtyard from this was the main residence.^[3] The site has also yielded many examples of lavishly decorated glazed tiles, some of which were painted with scenes and references to theShahnameh, the Persian epic poem.^[6] Other decoration found among the remains included carved marble.^[3]

Arghun (r. 1284–1291) created a new district in Tabriz, called Shanb, which Ghazan then further developed. It contained many shrines, tombs (including that of Ghazan), and an astronomical observatory built under Ghazan.[6] The vizier Rashid al-Din, one of the most important cultural figures of the Ilkhanate, also built another religious and charitable district or complex in Tabriz that included a mosque, amadrasa, ahospital, and other services.^[6]

Sultaniyya, initially called Qonqur Öleng by the Mongols, was founded by Arghun and then transformed by his sonUljaytu (r. 1304–1317) into a new capital with its current name.[8] Near here, Arghun also began construction on a rock-cut complex that combined traditional Islamic architecture withBuddhist-influenced decoration.^[6]

Caravanserais were built throughout the realm again, as in previous periods, although theKhan al-Mirjan in Baghdad is the only surviving example. It features a large rectangular central hall covered by a complex ceiling of eight transverse arches supporting vaults that culminates in domes with squinches, along with windows to allow light from outside.^[3] Lesser remains of caravanserais have been found in the countryside, indicating they were rectangular structures with entrance portals and bastions projecting from the outer walls.^[3]

Various mosques were built or expanded during this period, usually following thefour-iwan plan for congregational mosques (e.g. atVaramin andKirman), except in the northwest, where cold winters discouraged the presence of an open courtyard, as at the Jameh Mosque ofArdabil (now ruined). The iwan on theqibla side (in the direction of prayer), usually led to a domed prayer hall behind.^[3] Another hallmark of the Ilkhanid period is the introduction of monumental mosque portals topped by twin minarets, as seen at theJameh Mosque of Yazd.^[3]

Aside from mosques, madrasas andkhanqahs were also built, again following the four-iwan layout. A significant example is the Madrasa al-Imami in Isfahan, dating to 1354.^[3]

The first Muslim tomb of Ilkhanid rulers was theGhazan Mausoleum inTabriz.^[9] The most impressive monument to survive from this period is theSultaniyya (or Soltaniyeh) Mausoleum built for Sultan Uljaytu, sometime between 1307 and 1313.^[10] It consists primarily of a massive dome supported on a multi-level octagonal structure with internal and external galleries. Only the domed building remains today, missing much of its original turquoise tile decoration, but it was once the centerpiece of a larger religious complex including a mosque, ahospital, and living areas.^[1]

The dome of Uljaytu's mausoleum measures almost 25 metres (82 ft) in diameter and about 50 metres (160 ft) high, making it the largest dome in historical Iranian architecture,^[2] the largest domed space at the time of its construction,^[6] and still one of the largest brick domes in the world today.^[11] Its thin, double-shelled construction was reinforced by arches between the shells. The addition of an external vaulted gallery wrapping around the upper part of the building was a feature that would be further developed in later periods and ultimately be perfected in the Taj Mahal.^[2]

Smaller tombs and shrines in honour of local Sufis were also built or renovated by Ilkhanid patrons, such as the shrine ofBayazid Bastami in the town ofBastam, the aforementioned Mausoleum of Pir-i Bakran, and the aforementioned Tomb of Abd-al-Samad.^[12] Also in Bastam, the Ilkhanids built a traditional tower tomb to house the remains of Uljaytu's infant son. Unusually, rather than being an independent structure, the tomb was erected behind theqibla wall of the town's main mosque – a configuration also found in some contemporaryMamluk architecture.^[12]

• Blair, Sheila; Bloom, Jonathan M. (1995).The Art and Architecture of Islam 1250–1800. Yale University Press.ISBN 978-0-300-06465-0.
• Bloom, Jonathan M.; Blair, Sheila (2009).The Grove Encyclopedia of Islamic Art & Architecture. Oxford University Press.ISBN 978-0-19-530991-1. Retrieved2013-03-15.

• Komaroff, Linda; Carboni, Stefano (2002).The Legacy of Genghis Khan: Courtly Art and Culture in Western Asia, 1256-1353. Metropolitan Museum of Art.ISBN 978-1-58839-071-4. (Fully available online for free. On architecture, see chapters 4 and 5 in particular.)
• Huff, Dietrich (2012)."The Ilkhanid Palace at Takht-i Sulayman: Excavation Results". In Komaroff, Linda (ed.).Beyond the Legacy of Genghis Khan. Brill. pp. 94–110.ISBN 978-90-04-24340-8.
• Porter, Yves (2023)."The Use and Reuse of Persian Luster Tiles (13th–14th Centuries)".Under the Adorned Dome, Four Essays on the Arts of Iran and India: Ehsan Yarshater Lecture Series. Brill. pp. 106–143.ISBN 978-90-04-54972-2.
• Blessing, Patricia (2016).Rebuilding Anatolia after the Mongol Conquest: Islamic Architecture in the Lands of Rum, 1240–1330. Routledge.ISBN 978-1-351-90628-9.
• O'Kane, Bernard (2017). "Architecture and Court Cultures of the Fourteenth Century". In Flood, Finbarr Barry;Necipoğlu, Gülru (eds.).A Companion to Islamic Art and Architecture. Wiley Blackwell. pp. 585–615.ISBN 9781119068662.

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