TEHRAN (Dispatches) – The Dome of Soltanieh in Iran’s Zanjan province was constructed in 10 years in the fourteenth century in two eras; one included brick and tile while the other included plasterworks. On the sides of the ceiling, Qur'anic verses and attributes of God have been written in beautiful scripts – symbolizing both the Iranian art and the submission of Iranians to the last divine religion, Islam.
Soltanieh was the third capital of the Ilkhanid dynasty (after Maragheh and Tabriz), founded by the Mongols. Since the area had horse-riding site and greenery, it was located along the Silk Road.
The dome is 48.5 meters in height and 25.5 meters in diameter.
The length of each side at 17 meters. It has eight doors and eight porticos. It includes three storeys and comprises three sections: Dome, cellar and tomb."
Soltan Mohammad Khodabandeh has been buried in the cellar. Since Mongols were afraid of the exhumation, they kept the burial place a secret. The tomb house is located on top of the cellar.
The Ilkhanids had converted to Shia Islam, and they are believed to have wanted to transfer the relics of Imam Ali (PBUH) from Baghdad to Soltanieh. This never happened and the shrine became the mausoleum of Oljaytu instead. The soil of Karbala and Najaf has been used in the tomb house to improve the spirituality.
Lots of houses were purchased and their lands were added to the precincts of Soltanieh Dome.
Soltanieh Dome is the largest brick dome worldwide. The building's foundation is 0.5 meter. But it should be at least 2.5 meters. However, it can bear the weight because of its octagonal shape.
Also, eight minarets help the building maintain the balance. In addition, the building has been buttressed by many scaffolds installed within it.
Soltanieh Dome has witnessed and resisted 33 earthquakes – 1990 Manjil-Roudbar earthquake was the biggest one.
After the death of Oljaytu in 1316 CE, the city went into oblivion. Later, it fell into the hands of minor dynasties.
There is little information about the start of the new settlement until Oljaytu (later Soltan Mohammad Khodabandeh) came to power in 1304 CE when he decided to expand the city and make it his capital, naming it Soltanieh.
Together with Tabriz, Soltanieh became a major trading center on the route linking Asia and Europe.
Structurally, the building is considered a masterpiece. The interior walls were originally decorated with light golden-toned bricks and dark blue faience tiles. Later, it was redecorated with plaster by using fine ornaments.