Imamzadeh Chaharmanar

Imamzadeh Chaharmanar
امامزاده علی بن مجاهد
Religion
Affiliation	Shia (Twelver) (former)
Ecclesiastical or organizational status	Imamzadeh and mausoleum
Status	Closed (since 1965)
Location
Location	Tabriz, East Azerbaijan province
Country	Iran
Location of the complex in Iran
Interactive map of Imamzadeh Chaharmanar
Coordinates	38°04′54″N 46°17′29″E / 38.0817717°N 46.2913747°E / 38.0817717; 46.2913747
Architecture
Type	Islamic architecture
Style	Seljuk
Completed	Seljuk era 1863 CE (renovations)
Specifications
Length	c.6 m (20 ft)
Dome	1
Minaret	4
Materials	Bricks
Iran National Heritage List
Official name	Imamzadeh Chaharmanar
Type	Built
Conservation organization	Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization of Iran

The Imamzadeh Chaharmanar (Persian: امامزاده علی بن مجاهد), also known locally as Imamzadeh Ali ibn Mujaheed, is a former Twelver Shi'ite imamzadeh and mausoleum complex, located in Tabriz, Iran.[1] It was built during the Seljuk era. The complex was added to the Iran National Heritage List and is administered by the Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization of Iran.[2][3][1]

The mausoleum contains the tomb of Ali ibn Mujaheed, a descendant of the fourth Ahl al-Bayt Imam, Ali al-Sajjad, as well as two of the rulers of the Rawadid dynasty. The mausoleum is located next to the historic Gharabaghi Mosque, but unlike the mosque, it has been closed since 1965.[4]

The name "Chaharmanar" means "four minarets" in Persian. 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 ruler Abu'l-Hayja Mamlan I and his son, Abu Mansur Wahsudan were buried in the mausoleum.[3] The mausoleum also survived the 1721 Tabriz earthquake.[3]

In the year 1863, major repairs were done, by the order of Qajar princess, Zia ol-Saltaneh, daughter of Fath-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 wooden zarih enclosing it.[5]

• Ali ibn Mujaheed - a descendant of the fourth Imam, Ali ibn Husayn Zayn al-Abidin[8]

• Abu'l-Hayja Mamlan I - Third amir of the Rawadid dynasty
• Abu Mansur Wahsudan - son of Abu'l-Hayja Mamlan I and the fourth amir of the Rawadid dynasty

• Seyed Abolfazl Mousavi Tabrizi[3]
• Hujjat as-Salaam Safavi[3]

• List of Imamzadeh
• List of mausoleums in Iran
• Shia Islam in Iran