The Monthly Scientific Journal of Bagh-e Nazar

Reconstruction of the Architectural Plan of the Rowza in the Rab’e Rashidi Complex, Tabriz, Iran

https://doi.org/10.22034/bagh.2024.433241.5526
Volume 21, Issue 134
August 2024
Pages 45-54
The Monthly Scientific Journal of Bagh-e Nazar

Document Type : Original Research Article

Author

Mina Sarabi

Ph.D. in Architecture, Islamic Art and Archaeology Department, Faculty of Oriental Studies, Otto-Friedrich University, Bamberg, Germany.

Abstract
Problem statement: The Rashidiyya township in the northeast of Tabriz was constructed by the order of Khawaja Rashid al-Din Fazlollah Hamadani (7th-8th AH /13th-14th CE). This township included two main sections: the central core and the Rashidi district. Unfortunately, this architectural complex suffered significant damage and destruction due to devastating earthquakes and governmental wars in Tabriz over various periods. Therefore, the existing documents for understanding the architectural structure and location of this complex are primarily limited to the Rab’e Rashidi endowment deed and archaeological findings. This research aims to study the spatial and locational aspects of the Rowza as a key element in the structure of Rab’e Rashidi, which had religious and educational functions.
Research objectives: The primary objective of this research is to understand the spaces of the Rowza, provide a proposed plan based on the description of the endowment deed, and compare the proposed plan of the Rowza with similar examples remaining from the 7th to 8 th century AH/ from13th to 14th century CE. Another goal is to determine the probable location of the Rowza on the historical site of Rab’e Rashidi.
Research method: This article is a fundamental research study that initially delineates the architectural structure of the Rowza plan by relying on the Rab’e Rashidi endowment deed, logical deduction, content analysis, and comparison with similar examples remaining from the 8th-7th century AH / 14th-13th century CE. Subsequently, the probable location of the Rowza is determined based on archaeological data on the Rab’e Rashidi cultural heritage site.
Conclusion: Analyses based on the descriptions provided in the Rab’e Rashidi endowment deed indicate that the spatial structure of the Rowza likely comprised a central courtyard with a four-iwan pattern, incorporating a combination of an iwan and a mausoleum (with the mausoleum situated behind the main iwan and aligned along the north-south axis). Furthermore, through comparison with remaining examples from the 7th to 8th century AH / from 13th to 14th century CE, it became evident that this proposed plan aligns with architectural designs found in other structures such as the Sultan Hassan Complex in Cairo (1356-1363 CE), the Çifte Minareli Madrasa (13th century CE), and the Yakutiye Madrasa (early 14th century CE) in Erzurum, supporting the validity of the proposed plan for the Rowza. Additionally, archaeological investigations within the Rab’e Rashidi compound reveal a wall-like structure on the southeastern perimeter, believed by researchers to be part of an architectural complex. Moreover, given the construction date, rectangular geometry, and Qibla orientation of this structure, it likely corresponds to the location of the Rowza within the Rab’e Rashidi site.

Keywords

Ilkhanid Era
Tabriz City
Abwab al-Birr
Rashidiyya Complex
Rab’e Rashidi’s Rowza
Rab’e Rashidi Endowment Deed (Waqf-nameh)
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