Reconsidering the Architecture of Shaikh Safi al-Din Ardabili's Shrine: New Findings in Archeological Excavations at Janat Sara Site

The Khānegāh or the Shrine of Shaikh Safi al-Din in Ardabil, north-west of Iran, listed as the world heritage site ( by UNESCO) back in ۲۰۱۱ under the identification no. ۱۴۵۰. This ensemble is located at ۳۸° ۱۴´۵۲/۵" northern latitude, ۴۸° ۱۷´۲۷/۵˝ longitude, and altitude of ۱۳۶۵ above sea level in the center of city of Ardabil. The ensemble of Shaikh Safi al-Din is a well-developed prototype constituting social, religious, charitable, cultural, and educational functions. With range of versatile spaces, it has met the physical and spiritual needs of residents and pilgrims as such; it includes places to meet needs in fields of education and training, livelihood and healthcare. Relying on the diagram of De Morgan, it seems there are more than ۶۷ spaces and courtyards attached to the Khānegāh, all of which have had a significant role in the training and educational philosophy of Safavid tradition. After decade of Safavid, most part of this magnificent structure damaged. F. Sarre, a German researcher, conducted one of the earliest studies on the architectural and archaeological history of Ardabil shrine in ۱۸۹۷. Some others such as Dibaj (۱۹۴۸), Ali Akbar Sar-faraz,(۱۹۷۴), Weaver (۱۹۷۴), Morton (۱۹۷۴) and Seyyed Mahmoud Mousawi (۱۹۹۵-۶) have also carried out researches on this subject in recent decades. Archaeological works of Cultural Heritage and Tourism Organization of Islamic Republic also conducted a study under the leadership of Hassan Yousefi in ۲۰۰۷. These studies cleared so many unsolved historical questions about the general plan of the holy shrine.

کلیدواژه ها:

Ardabil ، Shaikh Safi al-Din Shrine ، Archaeological Excavations ، Findings ، واژگان کلیدی: اردبیل ، بقعه شیخ صفی الدین اردبیلی ، کاوش های باستان شناسی ، یافته های معماری