Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
the royal porcelain collection. Most of that was carted off to the Hermitage (St Petersburg)
when Russia invaded in 1828, saving the mausoleum's staff a lot of dusting.
Much of the area around the complex is being excavated and an attractive walled
garden (free entrance, access from courtyard) makes a peaceful reading refuge.
Other Sights
The
covered bazaar
is extensive and attractive, though sliced brutally in half by Imam
Khomeini St.
Sheik Jebra'il Shrine
(admission by donation)
Sheikh Jebra'il, Sheikh Safi-od-Din's father, is buried underneath
a mildly attractive 16th-century structure at Khalkhoran, a village-suburb 3km northeast
of the centre. It's an active shrine; remove your shoes before inspecting the murals and
multifaceted ceiling.
MAUSOLEUM
Safavid bridges
Ardabil has at least five restored bridges across the Baliqli Chay (Fishy River). Nick-
named Yeddi Göz (Seven Eyes), the seven-span
Pol-e Jajim
is the most famous, but the
cute, three-arch
Pol-e Ebrahimabad
is more appealing.
BRIDGES
MOSQUE
Haji Fakr & Mirza Ali Akbar Mosques
Stroll the back alleys to find the handsome little Haji Fakr mosque with its squat,
Bukharan-style peppermill minaret. Nearby, the attractively brick-vaulted
Mirza Ali Ak-
bar Mosque
(Sa'at-Noh Sq)
has a blue Kufic-tiled exterior frieze and lighthouse-style
minaret.
Jameh Mosque (Masjed-e Jameh)عماج دجسم
(Shahid Madani St)
The Mongol Ilkhanid Congregational Mosque was once a truly gi-
gantic brick edifice and like the Seh Gonbad in Orumiyeh (
Click here
)
built on the site of
a Sassanian fire temple.
MOSQUE
Maryam Church
Found just off Taleqani St, this former church has an unusual old stone pyramid as its
central dome and now hosts a
zurkhaneh
(house of strength;
Click here
)
.
CHURCH
People Museum
MUSEUM
