Cultural sites
on World Heritage List 2010 (3) |
| UNESCO, Brasilia (Brazil), 11 August 2010 |
Sheikh Safi al-Din Khānegāh and Shrine Ensemble in Ardabil (Islamic Republic of Iran)
Built between the beginning of the 16thcentury and the end of the 18thcentury, this place of spiritual retreat in the Sufi tradition uses Iranian traditional architectural forms to maximize use of available space to accommodate a variety of functions (including a library, a mosque, a school, mausolea, a cistern, a hospital, kitchens, a bakery, and some offices). It incorporates a route to reach the shrine of the Sheikh divided into seven segments, which mirror the seven stages of Sufi mysticism, separated by eight gates, which represent the eight attitudes of Sufism. The ensemble includes well-preserved and richly ornamented facades and interiors, with a remarkable collection of antique artefacts. It constitutes a rare ensemble of elements of medieval Islamic architecture.
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Sheikh Safi al-din Khanegah Shrine Ensemble, in the City of Ardabil, Iran
photo:
UNESCO/Iran Images/Mohammad Tajik
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Sheikh Safi al-din Khanegah Shrine Ensemble, in the City of Ardabil, Iran
photo:
UNESCO/Iran Images/Mohammad Tajik
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Sheikh Safi al-din Khanegah Shrine Ensemble, in the City of Ardabil, Iran
photo:
UNESCO/Iran Images/Mohammad Tajik
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Sheikh Safi al-din Khanegah Shrine Ensemble, in the City of Ardabil, Iran
photo:
UNESCO/Iran Images/Mohammad Tajik
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Sheikh Safi al-din Khanegah Shrine Ensemble, in the City of Ardabil, Iran
photo:
UNESCO/Iran Images/Mohammad Tajik
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Tabriz Historic Bazaar Complex (Islamic Republic of Iran)
Tabriz has been a place of cultural exchange since antiquity and its historic bazaar complex is one of the most important commercial centres on the Silk Road. Tabriz Historic Bazaar Complex consists of a series of interconnected, covered, brick structures, buildings, and enclosed spaces for different functions. Tabriz and its Bazaar were already prosperous and famous in the 13thcentury, when the town, in the province of Eastern Azerbaijan, became the capital city of the Safavid kingdom. The city lost its status as capital in the 16thcentury, but remained important as a commercial hub until the end of the 18thcentury, with the expansion of Ottoman power. It is one of the most complete examples of the traditional commercial and cultural system of Iran.
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Tabriz Historical Bazaar Complex, Iran
photo:
UNESCO/Iran Images/Mohammad Tajik |
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Tabriz Historical Bazaar Complex, Iran
photo: UNESCO/Iran Images/Mohammad Tajik |
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Tabriz Historical Bazaar Complex, Iran
photo: UNESCO/Iran Images/Mohammad Tajik
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Tabriz Historical Bazaar Complex, Iran
photo: UNESCO/Iran Images/Mohammad Tajik
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Tabriz Historical Bazaar Complex, Iran
photo: UNESCO/Iran Images/Mohammad Tajik |
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