Mashhad is a metropolitan city in northeast of Iran and the
center for Khorasan Province. The most important shrine in Mashhad is the
shrine of Ali Ben Musa Al-Reza, the eighth Imam of the Shia. The annual number of pilgrimages to the
shrine are 30 to 35 million people. Astan Qods Razavi Museum, which also
includes several museums, is located in the shrine complex. The complex is 70
hectares. It has 26 porches, 9 courtyards and 6 entrances.
After testimony of Imam Reza, he was buried near the tomb of
Harun Al-Rashid. This tomb was repeatedly repaired and decorated. But the first
tomb on the shrine of Imam Reza was installed in the reign of King Sanjar. The
dome is made of tile works with mirrors which remained up to now. King Mohammad
was also one of those who decorated the dome with finest tiles and ordered to
construct two sanctuaries. The dome minarets were built in the reign of
Ghaznavid under the order of Moataz, the governor of Shiraz. Shah Abbas and
Solomon were the kings who were involved in the reconstruction and development
of the shrine. King Tahmasb restored
the dorm minarets and gilded the shrine. He covered the brick tiles with gold.
In Qajar period, special attentions were made to the shrine of Imam Reza and
the third shrine was built during the reign of Fath Ali. But a large part of
the development were made after the revolution of Islamic Republic. While
traveling in Iran, do not miss this religious city.
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| Imam Reza Holy shrine, Mashhad, Iran |
