| Imamzadeh Chaharmanar | |
|---|---|
امامزاده علی بن مجاهد | |
 | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Shia (Twelver)(former) |
| Ecclesiastical or organizational status | Imamzadeh andmausoleum |
| Status | Closed(since 1965) |
| Location | |
| Location | Tabriz,East Azerbaijan province |
| Country | Iran |
  Location of the complex inIran | |
 Interactive map of Imamzadeh Chaharmanar | |
| Coordinates | 38°04′54″N46°17′29″E / 38.0817717°N 46.2913747°E /38.0817717; 46.2913747 |
| Architecture | |
| Type | Islamic architecture |
| Style | Seljuk |
| Completed |
|
| Specifications | |
| Length | c.6 m (20 ft) |
| Dome | 1 |
| Minaret | 4 |
| Materials | Bricks |
| Official name | Imamzadeh Chaharmanar |
| Type | Built |
| Conservation organization | Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization of Iran |
TheImamzadeh Chaharmanar (Persian:امامزاده علی بن مجاهد), also known locally asImamzadeh Ali ibn Mujaheed, is a formerTwelverShi'iteimamzadeh andmausoleum complex, located inTabriz,Iran.[1] It was built during theSeljuk era. The complex was added to theIran National Heritage List and is administered by theCultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization of Iran.[2][3][1]
The mausoleum contains the tomb of Ali ibn Mujaheed, a descendant of the fourthAhl al-Bayt Imam,Ali al-Sajjad, as well as two of the rulers of theRawadid dynasty. The mausoleum is located next to the historicGharabaghi Mosque, but unlike the mosque, it has been closed since 1965.[4]
The name "Chaharmanar" means "four minarets" inPersian. This is because the mausoleum has four identical minarets on each of its corners.
An inscription on the building gives the first construction to a time during the Seljuk era.[3][5] In the 11th century, the Rawadid rulerAbu'l-Hayja Mamlan I and his son,Abu Mansur Wahsudan were buried in the mausoleum.[3] The mausoleum also survived the1721 Tabriz earthquake.[3]
In the year 1863, major repairs were done, by the order ofQajar princess,Zia ol-Saltaneh, daughter ofFath-Ali Shah Qajar.[3]
The mausoleum has been locked ever since it was shut down in 1965.[2] Residents of Tabriz complained about the neglect of the mausoleum, and how the Gharabaghi Mosque next to it received renovations and was active[6] in contrast to the mausoleum.[1][7] In 1975, the government did issue a statement expressing interest in restoring it, but not much had been done.[1] It was not reopened for public access either.[1]
The mausoleum is a square building made out of brick[5] which has a large dome and four raised minarets, one in each corner.[5] The mausoleum is entered through a door on its southern side.[5] Inside the mausoleum, on the western side, there is an opening in the floor that leads into a basement and cellar.[5] Inside the cellar is the tomb of Ali ibn Mujaheed, and it has a meshed woodenzarih enclosing it.[5]
