Sheikh Heydar Mausoleum

Meshgin Shahr is one of the cities of Ardabil province. Its previous name was Kheyav and it was changed into the current name during the reign of Pahlavi. Sabalan mountain and Qarah Su river are enough to make the green city of Arshagh. Also, the mysterious site of Shahr Yeri near this pristine nature along with Qahqaheh fort indicate the antiquity of this region.

In addition to this forts, Old Castle and Barbar Castle are other historical sites of Meshgin Shahr. The Suspension Bridge of this region has global reputation and Sheikh Hydar Mausoleum is also one of the historical buildings of Meshgin Shahr dating back to Safavid period.

Sheikh Heydar, Shiekh Jonayd’s son, was one of the great mystics who showed a great courage in the war with Sirvan and was killed in the same war. His body was transferred to Meshgin Shahr by his disciples where they constructed a mausoleum for him. He was so popular that people called this place Imamzadeh for a long time. According to the historical document, Shah Ismael, the founder the Safavid empire, transferred the body of his father, Sheikh Heydar, to their family tomb in Ardabil, next to the tomb of their great ancestor, Sheikh Safi al-Din. Therefore, this mausoleum is now just a memory of his original burial and it is not the real tomb of him. Some spaces like parking, museum, library and other facilities for tourists were later added to this place.

The building is in form of a cylindrical brick tower and it is placed in the old and central texture of Meshgin Shahr in a green and beautiful garden. The tomb is surrounded by some porches that possibly were once used by passengers to rest. The tower is 18 meters of height and 10.5 meters of diameter. It includes a basement and an upper part that is circular. The roof is dome-like and gable, but the original roof had also been dome-like that was ruined during the war with Russians.  Although the outside of this tower is circular, its inside has twelve sides symbolizing the twelve Imams of Shia’ to whom Safavids were extremely devoted. The entrance door of the basement is placed in the north side of the building and the tomb of Sheikh placed at the end of it. The construction material was stone for the foundation and brick for the walls. The brick body of this tower has been decorated by beautiful blue tiling from outside. Although these tiles have not covered the whole body and they have been broken in some parts, they still show its beauty and glory. The world “Allah” applied in this building is inspired by the dome of Allah Allah in Ardabil, or the same dome of Sheikh Safi al-Din, but the tiles of Ardabil dome are more readable than those of Sheilk Heydar. Other worlds like Hoo, Mohammad and Ali are also seen on the tiles. The entrance door and three windows of this building have beautiful plaster muqarnas decorations. This tomb was nationally registered in 1311 SH, with No. 184.