Sheikh Safi al-Din KhÄ?negÄ?h and Shrine Ensemble
Sheikh Safi al-Din KhÄ?negÄ?h and Shrine Ensemble is the tomb of Sheikh Safi-ad-din Ardabili located in Ardabil , Iran . In 2010 , it was registered on the UNESCO World Heritage List .
Sheikh Safi , an eminent leader of an Islamic Sufi order established by the Safavids , was born in Ardabil where this complex is located . The Safavids valued the tomb-mosque form , and the tomb with its mausoleum and prayer hall is located at a right angle to the mosque . The buildings in the complex surround a small inner courtyard (31 by 16 meters) . The complex is entered through a long garden .
The Mausoleum of Sheikh Safi , in Ardabil , was first built by his son Sheikh Sadr al-DÄ«n MÅ«sÄ? , after Sheikh Safi’s death in 1334 . It was constructed between the beginning of the 16th century and the end of the 18th century . The mausoleum , a tall , domed circular tower decorated with blue tile and about 17 meters in height ; beside it is the 17th-century Porcelain House preserving the sanctuary's ceremonial wares . Also part of the complex are many sections that have served a variety of functions over the past centuries , including a library , a mosque , a school , mausolea , a cistern , a hospital , kitchens , a bakery , and some offices . It incorporates a route to reach the shrine of the sheikh divided into seven segments , which mirror the seven stages of Sufi mysticism . Various parts of the mausoleum are separated by eight gates , which represent the eight attitudes of Sufism .
Several parts were gradually added to the main structure during the Safavid dynasty. A number of Safavid sheikhs and harems and victims of the Safavids’ battles , including the Battle of Chaldiran , have been buried at the site .
Ardabil Bazaar
Ardabil Bazaaris a bazaar built during Safavid Dynasty in Ardabil , north-western Iran .
In the 4th century historians described the bazaar as a building in the shape of the cross with a domed ceiling . It was constructed during the Safavid dynasty from the 16th to 18th century and renovated through the Zand dynasty in the 18th century .
In and around the Ardabil Bazaar are numerous caravansaries and inns , owned by the estate of the Safavid Dynasty shrine , and mosques , some of which were endowed by Ata-Malik Juvayni (1226–1283) for the Shaykh Safi shrine . The proceeds from the many shops , bathhouses and inns in the bazaar that are owned by the estate of the shrine are used for the shrines upkeep .
Sabalan
Sabalan is an inactive stratovolcano in Ardabil province of northwestern Iran . It is the third highest mountain in Iran and has a permanent crater lake formed at its summit . Sabalan has a ski resort (Alvares) and different tourist areas such as the Sarein spa . The mountain is known for its beautiful vistas , including the Shirvan gorge , where few climbers ever venture . According to some beliefs , the Mount Sabalan was the place where Zoroaster meditated for some years , so Mt. Savalan is one of the important sacred places in Zoroastrianism .
Ardabil Anthropology Museum
Ardabil Anthropology Museum is a museum in Ardabil , Iran . The building of the museum was originally a historical bath with the name of Zahir-al-Islam , belonging to the pre-Safavid period , about second half of the seventh century AH . Cultural Heritage Organization of Iran changed it to the Museum of Anthropology in 1999 . The museum is near to the Sheikh Safi mausoleum .
Shorabil Lake
Shorabil is a lake located in a hilly area south of the Iranian city of Ardabil . Ardabil University is located near the lake .
The surface of the lake is 640,000 m² , and is covered with a thin white layer of minerals which are useful in healing skin diseases and rheumatism . The leisure complex of Shorabil is located near the lake . The lake is ringed by a scenic roadway offering views of the lake and the nearby Sabalan mountain .
The basin was covered with mud and high concentrations of salt and other minerals so that no fish could survive . In 1998 , the government of Ardabil started diluting the lake water by linking rivers from the surrounding area . After almost 2 years they also started growing a kind of fish called "ghezel-aala" in the lake which is famous for having pink meat and wonderful taste . In 1999 a floating restaurant was built and placed in the middle of the lake . which was transferred to the government but it was later shifted to the shore as they could not handle the maintenance and other technical difficulties .
Alvares (ski resort)
Alvares is a ski resort in the Iranian province of Ardabil . It is the second standard ski resort in Iran and is situated in the hamlet of Alvares , which is located 24 kilometers away from the city of Sarein at an altitude of 3,200 meters above sea level .
Qahqaheh Castle
Qahqaheh Castle is near Kaleybar in East Azarbaijan province , north-west of Iran . This castle was built in the mountains and was used as a jail for anti-kingdom politicians during the Safavid dynasty . The architecture of this fortification is unique . Ismail II , 3rd king of the Safavid dynasty was the most famous person who was imprisoned in Qahqaheh Castle .