Shah Cheragh shrine, Sacred mausoleum in Shiraz, Iran
The Shah Cheragh shrine is a mausoleum in Shiraz and part of Iran's national heritage. A dome rises over the center, two minarets flank the structure, and mirror mosaics cover the interior walls and ceiling surfaces.
The tomb was established in the 12th century and holds the remains of Ahmad ibn Musa, eldest son of the seventh Shia Imam. The complex underwent several expansions and renovations over the following centuries.
Pilgrims visit to pray and walk through halls where Persian calligraphy lines the walls and mirror fragments catch daylight and lamplight alike. The name means King of Light, recalling how locals first found the burial site by following a glow in the darkness.
Visitors must remove their shoes before entering, and women receive chadors to wear at the entrance. Separate entrances and prayer areas are set aside for men and women.
Thousands of tiny mirror fragments were set by hand into geometric patterns, so visitors see themselves reflected in countless facets. This technique creates a shimmering effect that shifts with changing light conditions.
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