Shah Nematollah Vali Shrine

Shah Nematollah Vali Shrine
آرامگاه شاه نعمت‌ الله‌ ولی
Shah Nematollah Vali Shrine; آرامگاه شاه نعمت‌ الله‌ ولی
Religion
Affiliation	both Sunni Islam and Shia Islam
Province	Kerman Province
Location
Location	Mahan, Iran
Geographic coordinates	30°3′35″N 57°17′24″E / 30.05972°N 57.29000°E / 30.05972; 57.29000
Architecture
Type	Mosque
Completed	15th century

The Shah Nematollah Vali Shrine (Persian: آرامگاه شاه نعمت‌ الله‌ ولی) is a historical complex, located in Mahan, Iran, which contains the mausoleum of Shah Nematollah Vali, the renowned Iranian mystic and poet. Shah Nematollah Vali died in 1431 aged over 100. In 1436 a shrine was erected in his honor and became a pilgrimage site; with the attention of successive rulers contributing various additions over the centuries.^[2]

History and design

The shrine complex comprises four courtyards, a reflecting pool, a mosque and twin minarets covered with turquoise tiles from the bottom up to the cupola. The earliest construction is attributed to the Bahmanid ruler Ahmed I Vali who erected the sanctuary chamber in 1436. Shah Abbas I undertook extensions and renovations in 1601, including reconstruction of the tiled blue dome, described as "one of the most magnificent architectural masterpieces in old Persia". During the Qajar period the site was particularly popular, necessitating the construction of additional courtyards to accommodate increased numbers of pilgrims. The minarets also date from this period. The small room where Nematollah Vali prayed and meditated contains plasterwork and tile decorations. The complex is also famous for its tilework and seven ancient wooden doors.^[3]^[4]

The blue girih tiled dome contains stars with, from the top, 5, 7, 9, 12, 11, 9 and 10 points in turn. 11-point stars are rare in the geometric patterns of Islamic art.^[5]

Architecture

The complex includes some courtyards and other sections which are as follows when one moves from the street toward the interior of the mosque: Atabaki courtyard, Vakil-ol-Molki courtyard, Modir-ol-Molki portico, the shrine, Shah Abbasi portico, Mirdamad courtyard and Hosseiniyeh courtyard.^[6]

Atabaki courtyard

Atabaki courtyard has been built through contributions from Ali Asghar Khan Atabak, the chancellor of Naser al-Din Shah .

Vakil-ol-Molki courtyard

Vakil-ol-Molki courtyard has been built by Mohammad Esmaeil Ebrahim Khan Nouri, Vakil-ol-Molk.

Shrine (mausoleum)

It has a dome-shaped arch which is adorned with paintings and has two shells.

Chelleh Khaneh (40 Nights House)

On the southwestern side of the portico behind the shrine, there is a small place where Shah Nematollah Vali spent 40 days and nights worshipping God. Chelleh Khaneh was totally damaged during a flood in 1932, but was reconstructed later.

Shah Abbasi Portico

The portico has been built in 998 AH under the rule of Shah Abbas I and when Beik Tash Khan was the ruler of Kerman.

Mirdamad Courtyard

This courtyard which is also known as Shah Abbasi courtyard has been reconstructed under the rule of Naser al-Din Shah of Qajar dynasty.

Hosseiniyeh Courtyard

This is the last courtyard of Shah Nematollah Vali complex which contains the Mohammad Shahi minarets standing on the western side of it.

Image Gallery

View of the dome and the minarets
Entrance door to the shrine.
An item in the museum.
Outside view of the shrine
Interior Decorations (Calligraphy)
View of the twin minarets
Interior ceiling vaults
Elaborate decorations of the meditation room
Tomb room
Interior Iwans
The praying hall
Ceiling of the praying hall
Garden and minarets
View of the blue dome
Shah Nematollah Vali Shrine, Kerman, Iran

References

^ wikimapia
^ Lisa Golombek and Donald Wilber, The Timurid Architecture of Iran and Turan (Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1988)
^ Laurence Lockhart Persian Cities, (London: Luzac and company ltd, 1960)
^ Arthur Upham Pope and Phyllis Ackerman, 'Timurid Architecture: b. Typical Monuments', in A Survey of Persian Art. (Tehran: Soroush Press, 1977), 1158-1159.
^ Brough, 2008. pp. 183–185, 193
^ Kerman, City of Historical Places of Worship Iran Review^{[permanent dead link]}

Sources

Broug, Eric (2008). Islamic Geometric Patterns. Thames and Hudson. ISBN 978-0-500-28721-7.

External links

High-resolution 360° Panorama of the Shah Nematollah Vali Shrine | Art Atlas

[1] wikimapia

[2] Lisa Golombek and Donald Wilber, The Timurid Architecture of Iran and Turan (Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1988)

[3] Laurence Lockhart Persian Cities, (London: Luzac and company ltd, 1960)

[4] Arthur Upham Pope and Phyllis Ackerman, 'Timurid Architecture: b. Typical Monuments', in A Survey of Persian Art. (Tehran: Soroush Press, 1977), 1158-1159.

[5] Brough, 2008. pp. 183–185, 193

[6] Kerman, City of Historical Places of Worship Iran Review^{[permanent dead link]}