The Imamzadeh Hossein (; ) is an

imamzadeh An imamzadeh () is a Persian term with two related meanings: a type of holy person in Shia Islam, and the shrine-tomb of such a person. Descendant An imamzadeh is an immediate descendant of a Shi'i Imam. The term is also used in Urdu and ...

mausoleum A mausoleum is an external free-standing building constructed as a monument enclosing the burial chamber of a deceased person or people. A mausoleum without the person's remains is called a cenotaph. A mausoleum may be considered a type o ...

and

mosque A mosque ( ), also called a masjid ( ), is a place of worship for Muslims. The term usually refers to a covered building, but can be any place where Salah, Islamic prayers are performed; such as an outdoor courtyard. Originally, mosques were si ...

complex, located in

Qazvin Qazvin (; ; ) is a city in the Central District (Qazvin County), Central District of Qazvin County, Qazvin province, Qazvin province, Iran, serving as capital of the province, the county, and the district. It is the largest city in the provi ...

Iran Iran, officially the Islamic Republic of Iran (IRI) and also known as Persia, is a country in West Asia. It borders Iraq to the west, Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Armenia to the northwest, the Caspian Sea to the north, Turkmenistan to the nort ...

. The funerary complex contains the grave of Hossein, son of the 8th Imam

Ali al-Rida Ali al-Rida (, 1 January 766 – 6 June 818), also known as Abū al-Ḥasan al-Thānī, was a descendant of the Islamic prophet Muhammad, and the eighth imam in Twelver Shia Islam, succeeding his father, Musa al-Kazim. He is also part of th ...

("Hazrat-e Reza"). Built initially during the

Ilkhanate The Ilkhanate or Il-khanate was a Mongol khanate founded in the southwestern territories of the Mongol Empire. It was ruled by the Il-Khans or Ilkhanids (), and known to the Mongols as ''Hülegü Ulus'' (). The Ilkhanid realm was officially known ...

period, the complex was extensively renovated by Shah

Tahmasp I Tahmasp I ( or ; 22 February 1514 – 14 May 1576) was the second shah of Safavid Iran from 1524 until his death in 1576. He was the eldest son of Shah Ismail I and his principal consort, Tajlu Khanum. Tahmasp ascended the throne after the ...

in the 17th century, during the

Safavid era The Safavid dynasty (; , ) was one of Iran's most significant ruling dynasties reigning from 1501 to 1736. Their rule is often considered the beginning of modern Iranian history, as well as one of the gunpowder empires. The Safavid Shah Ismai ...

. The complex was added to the

Iran National Heritage List Iran National Heritage List is a register of nationally significant monuments, places, buildings, events, etc., officially registered under the National Heritage Preservation Act of 1930. According to Article 1 of this law, "All the industrial mon ...

on 7 December 1935, administered by the

Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization of Iran The Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts of Iran () is an educational and research institution overseeing numerous associated museum complexes throughout Iran. It is administered and funded by the Government of Iran. It was f ...

. The complex is one of the

holiest sites in Shia Islam Muslims, including Shia, Sunni, Ibadi and other branches, agree on two holiest sites in Islam being the Masjid al-Haram (including the Kaaba) in Mecca; the Masjid an-Nabawi in Medina. Sites associated with the Islamic prophet Muhammad, his daug ...

and is a major pilgrimage center.

History

The namesake of the tomb is the biennial deceased son of Imam

. This passed in transit with his father to Khorasan in Qazvin in 821 and was buried at the site. Later more people were buried from the Safavid dynasty bib.

Architecture

The tomb is reminiscent of a generous palace complex with its own walled garden, plant rows, small Iwanen, niches, grave stones and precious blue and cream-colored tile decorations. The facade of the main gate is of six ornamental minarets surmounted. Is the main gate by steps, there is a large courtyard opens. Directly behind the gate is a pavilion-like, octagonal fountain house. The tomb is covered by a blue-yellow tiled dome. The central portion of the building is decorated with numerous mirror mosaics; the mirror mosaics of the vestibule and the tiles of the facades date from the 19th century. In this middle part carried by slender columns porch leads to areas segregated by sex and has two entrances; left for women, right for men. The building may only be entered without shoes.

Gallery

Hamadan - Imamzadeh-ye Hossein - gate.jpg, Entrance of the Imamzadeh Qazvin - Emamzadeh-ye Hossein.jpg, Rear view امامزاده شازده حسین قزوین.jpg Imamzadeh Hossein Shrine (Shazdeh Hossein).jpg MesjedKoucheekKazvin.jpg Mosque and tomb Qazvin by Pascal Coste.jpg

Notes

References

External links