This holy shrine is one of the most famous attractions in Iran which receives millions of people from all around the world each year. Imam Reza was the eighth Imam of Shia Muslims who was killed in 818 A.D by the Abbasid empire and was buried near the city of Tus. Nowadays that little city has become one of the largest ones in Iran which is called Mashhad which means the place of martyrdom.
The complex you visit today consists of different parts which have been developed through the ages by various kings and rulers. Especially after the Islamic revolution a great development and construction has happened there.
The artistic importance of the whole place is due to the different arts which have been engraved all over the holy shrine to show the respect people have had through the ages. It is really the manifest of Persian architecture and art.
The amazing thing is that there has been considered as a great holy place for different dynasties so every single part reminds you of an era or a king who bowed down to this glorious majesty and worshipped it.
Among the constructions there are two historical mosques which take you to the stories of history and show you the beauty of pure Persian architecture.
Goharshad and Balasarhazrat are two diamonds which have survived to tell us the mysteries of Persian history.
Goharshad was founded by the order of Goharshad the wife of Shahrokh the king in 15th century. It was an outstanding building in Timurid Empire which has proven itself in other centuries as a legendary symbol of Persian architecture. It took 12 years to build the oldest Jameh mosque of Mashhad.
Another old mosque is called Balasarhazrat; a thousand years one which dates back to Ghaznavids era. As the smallest mosque there, it is about 8 meters long, 4.5 wide and 10 meters tall, covered with beautiful marble stones and tilework.
Other parts of this holy place like museums, Islamic studies association, Razavi Islamic sciences university, Razavi hospital, Central library, a great restaurant and a place for fairs and conventions are practical segments which produce a real added value to the place.
This web site is really a walk-through for all of the info you wanted about this and didn’t know who to ask. Glimpse here, and you’ll definitely discover it.
I have not checked in here for some time since I thought it was getting boring, but the last several posts are good quality so I guess I’ll add you back to my everyday bloglist. You deserve it my friend 🙂