Amir Chaghmagh Square, Ancient square in Yazd, Iran.
Amir Chaghmagh is a public square in Yazd surrounded by historic structures, including a mosque with two tall minarets, a bathhouse, a caravanserai, and a tekyeh. The buildings face the open plaza with intricate facades featuring recessed niches and arched openings that reflect Timurid design principles.
The square was commissioned in 1438 by Amir Jalaleddin Chakhmaq, a governor under the Timurid dynasty, as a center for civic and religious life. Its construction reflected the dynasty's investment in monumental architecture and urban design during a period of regional prosperity.
The square serves as a gathering place where people come together for religious observances and community celebrations honoring Imam Hussein. These traditions remain visible in how locals and visitors move through the space and mark important moments here.
The square is open and accessible throughout the day for visitors to explore at their own pace. The site comes alive with orange lighting after dark, offering a different perspective on the architecture and making an evening visit worthwhile.
A subterranean cistern beneath the square hosts Zurkanieh performances, showcasing an old Iranian athletic practice that blends gymnastics with strength training. Visitors may encounter athletes training in this heritage space, creating an unexpected link between the monument's past and its living present.
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