TEHRAN -- The shrine of Shams Tabrizi in Khoy is nearing completion, with Iranian officials announcing plans for its opening in October 2026. 
The project has recently received renewed attention from Iranian cultural and heritage websites, which are presenting the restoration and development of the site as an important cultural and tourism initiative.
Construction of the shrine complex has reached more than 92 percent completion. The opening is expected to take place on October 7, coinciding with the date observed in Iran as the day commemorating Shams Tabrizi. 
Officials have also discussed holding an international ceremony, with representatives and cultural figures from neighboring countries expected to participate.
Shams Tabrizi, the renowned Persian mystic and spiritual companion of the poet Jalal al-Din Rumi, occupies an important place in the cultural history of Iran and the broader Persianate world. 
His relationship with Rumi is 
regarded as one of the defining spiritual encounters in Persian literary history. Although different historical accounts have raised questions about the details of Shams’s life and final years, Khoy has long been associated with his burial place.
The current development goes beyond the construction of a memorial structure. Iranian cultural officials have described the project as a broader cultural and scholarly complex intended to support research, education and cultural tourism. 
Plans mentioned in recent reports include a library, a research center or think tank, and exhibition and gallery spaces.
The architectural elements of the new complex have also attracted attention. Reports have highlighted the construction of a new dome, described as approximately 15.5 meters high. 
Its design combines traditional architectural techniques with decorative elements associated with Iranian and Islamic architecture. The project is being presented as an attempt to create a contemporary cultural landmark while maintaining a connection with the historical identity of the site.
Tourism is another major component of the initiative. Local and provincial officials have said that the completed shrine could strengthen Khoy’s position as a destination for visitors interested in Persian literature, mysticism and cultural heritage. The project is also being linked to wider plans for cultural tourism in northwestern Iran.
One particularly ambitious proposal mentioned in Iranian coverage is the development of a cultural route connecting Konya in Turkey and Khoy in Iran. Konya is closely associated with Rumi, while Khoy is associated with Shams. 
Supporters of the idea have described the two cities as important points in a shared cultural and spiritual history, potentially creating a route for visitors interested in the relationship between the two figures.
The renewed focus on Shams Tabrizi also reflects broader efforts to promote literary and mystical heritage as part of Iran’s cultural tourism sector. With the anticipated opening of the Khoy complex in October, the shrine is expected to receive greater attention from Iranian and international visitors.