Mysteries of Seh Gonbadan Tower
Seh Gonbadan Tower, which translates to “three domes,” is a historic monument situated in the southeast of Urmia, the capital of West Azarbaijan Province. While its relief suggests it was constructed in the 12th century, it was officially brought to public attention in 1852 by Nikolai Vladimirovich Khanykov, a Russian ethnographer. To explore this exquisite and distinctive tower, visitors must make their way to Ostad Barzegar Street.
The historical and architectural significance of Seh Gonbadan led to its inclusion on Iran’s National Heritage List, recognizing its value as an ancient structure. Some historians and experts in Islamic architecture speculate that a fire temple stood in place of the tower during the Sassanid dynasty era. However, no concrete evidence has been uncovered to substantiate this claim.
The relief on the tower, on the other hand, offers valuable and trustworthy information. Alongside the precise construction date, the text reveals the tower’s patron as Sheith Ghate al-Mozafari, an elder of the Seljuk dynasty. The design and façade of Seh Gonbadan Tower bear a striking resemblance to structures from the 12th century, particularly those found in the city of Maragheh, East Azarbijan Province, belonging to the Seljuk dynasty.
Seh Gonbadan Tower stands atop a tall cylinder-shaped base with a diameter of approximately five meters. The current height of the tower, known as Seh Gonbadan, is thirteen meters, featuring two stories. Ventilation and natural light are facilitated by windows on each of the tower’s four sides.
The lower story serves as a basement, separated from the upper story by a vaulted cover. The upper level houses a tomb chamber accessed through a doorway measuring two and a half meters in height, indicating the tower’s likely use as a tomb as well.
Thankfully, much of the original structure remains intact, including the façade, tablets, and brick walls. Decorations on the entrance gateway of the tomb chamber, crafted from stone and plaster, are notably unique, showcasing geometric motifs and inscriptions in Bannai script.
It’s worth noting that the base of the building is constructed from gray stones, extending up to six meters, transitioning to quadrilateral bricks for the tower’s upper sections.