Gonbad-e Qabus, Brick tower and mausoleum in Golestan Province, Iran
Gonbad-e Qabus is a cylindrical brick tower with ten buttresses arranged in a star pattern, topped with a conical dome. The structure rises about 53 meters and demonstrates the architectural skill of the Ziyarid dynasty.
Built in 1007 under the Ziyarid ruler Qabus Ibn Voshmgir, the tower served as his mausoleum. It represents a peak in the region's architectural evolution during this ruling period.
The two bands of Kufic inscriptions that encircle the tower speak to the craftsmanship and beliefs of the period. They offer a window into the artistic language that decorated sacred spaces of that era.
The tower stands in an open landscape and can be seen from considerable distance in Golestan Province. An opening on the eastern side allows sunlight to reach the interior chamber at certain times of day.
The interior features chains suspended from the ceiling, suggesting that a glass coffin might once have hung inside. This unusual design reveals how burial practices of that era incorporated distinctive elements.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
