Iran’s Timurid Tomb built in Char-taghi architectural design

Timurid Tomb, in the village of Ziarat in Shirvan city, Iran’s North Khorasan Province, is built in Char-taghi (4-arched) architectural form.

Being registered as one of Iran's national monuments, the building is believed to be the tomb of, Eid Khajeh, a Timurid chief commander.

Literally meaning having four arches, Char-tagh is an architectural unit “consisting of four barrel vaults and a dome.”

The building has an octagonal plan from outside and square from inside. The dome was a two-shell structure with decorative brickwork on the outside and some paintings on plaster inside of the monument.

Chartaqi was a prominent element in Iranian architecture, having various functions and used in religious contexts for 1,500 years.

The main plan of the Azadi Tower in Tehran is also said to be influenced by the architecture of Char-taghi.

MM/FM