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Kharraqan Towers

Kharraqan Towers

Muhammad b. Makki al-Zanjani

Photo: AlChtzn · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Location
Qazvin Province, Iran
Client / Owner
—
Year
Completed 1067
Access
Public
Typology
Cultural
Style
Islamic

The Kharraqan Towers stand near Qazvin in northern Iran. The eastern tower dates from 1067 to 1068 and the western from 1093. The towers are octagonal brick structures, 43 feet (13 meters) tall, with each side 13 feet (4 meters) wide and eight rounded buttresses, one at each corner. The eastern tower is inscribed with the name Muhammad b. Makki al-Zanjani, and the western with Abu'l-Ma'ali b. Makki al-Zanjani. Stronach and Young consider them the same unknown local architect.

The article calls them an early example of geometric ornament and of double domes, and one of the earlier Seljuk-era tomb towers. The inner dome shells are intact, but the outer shells are lost. Carved-brick patterning and Kufic inscriptions cover the exteriors.

The 2002 Bou'in-Zahra earthquake significantly damaged both towers.

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