Argavand Funerary Tower, Islamic mausoleum in Argavand, Armenia.
The Argavand Funerary Tower is a decagonal structure built from tuff stone with three distinct sections and a brick dome. The upper portion features decorative blue ceramic tiles that define its appearance.
The tower was built in 1413 to honor Pir Hussein, a tribal leader from the period after Timur Lenk. It reflects the architectural influence of the Kara Koyunlu tribe during medieval times.
A bas-relief frieze encircling the top of the tower is inscribed in Arabic, opening with the Quranic Throne Verse (Ayat al-Kursi) before naming Emir Pir Husayn, son of Saad, and the co-rulers Pir Budaq Khan and Yusef Noyan. The text also lists his titles, among them support of kings and sultans and refuge for the weak and the poor.
The structure sits near a customs warehouse and is easily accessible from the airport road. Turn left at the traffic circle on the Yerevan road to locate it.
This tower ranks among the few intact Islamic monuments that have survived in Armenia. Its preserved condition makes it a rare example of this architectural tradition in the region.
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