{"id":68723,"date":"2023-12-18T09:08:43","date_gmt":"2023-12-18T09:08:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/?p=68723"},"modified":"2026-02-03T14:31:16","modified_gmt":"2026-02-03T14:31:16","slug":"arg-e-ali-shah-tabriz","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/arg-e-ali-shah-tabriz\/","title":{"rendered":"Arg-e-Ali Shah Citadel, Tabriz"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Ali Shah Citadel in Tabriz<\/a><\/strong> is one of the tallest and oldest historical walls in Iran, dating back 700 years and ranking among the most significant attractions in the beautiful city of Tabriz.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to historical texts and accounts by historians and travelers, Ali Shah Citadel<\/a> is the only tall structure in Tabriz visible from afar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Originally constructed as a grand mosque<\/strong>, the Citadel has suffered considerable damage over time due to numerous earthquakes and wars in Tabriz. Today, only a part of this structure remains as a tall wall<\/strong>, known as Ali Shah Citadel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

History of Ali Shah Citadel of Tabriz<\/h2>\n\n\n
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Ali Shah Citadel of Tabriz<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

The Ali Shah Citadel was initiated by Taj al-Din Ali Shah Gilani<\/strong>, the minister of the Mongol Ilkhans<\/strong>, between 716 and 724 AH, with the aim of building a grand mausoleum within the mosque’s courtyard. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interestingly, the southern part of this mosque had a large arch, which Ali Shah asked the architects of the time to build four yards (each yard equal to 104 centimeters) larger than the arch of Ctesiphon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite the damages it has faced, Ali Shah Citadel remains a robust and dominant fortress for the city of Tabriz. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Citadel has had various uses and significance in different eras. For instance, during the Qajar era, the mosque and its surroundings served as grain storage and a military ammunition depot, leading to its transformation into a citadel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Architecture of Ali Shah Citadel of Tabriz<\/h2>\n\n\n
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Architecture of Ali Shah Citadel of Tabriz<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

The Ali Shah Citadel is a masterpiece of Iranian architectural art<\/strong>, its grandeur and splendor unique in Iranian Islamic architecture. The Citadel’s architecture follows the Azari style<\/strong>, attributed to Azerbaijan<\/strong>, and was designed by Master Falaki Tabrizi<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Azari style, also known as the Mongol or Iranian-Mongol style, was prominent during the Ilkhanate era. Durable construction materials like saruj were used in the Citadel’s construction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A significant earthquake in the 10th century heavily damaged the Citadel, leaving a large crack in its structure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Will You See at Ali Shah Citadel?<\/h2>\n\n\n
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Ali Shah Citadel, Tabriz, Iran (photo by Tripadvisor)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

During the reign of Taj al-Din Ali Shah, the Citadel served as the city’s grand mosque, adorned with tiles, stone plinths, marble columns, inscriptions, and beautiful plasterworks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Visitors to the Citadel will observe three high walls shaped like iwans. The roofed part of the mosque, forming the iwan arch and a huge cylindrical arch, was the main prayer hall of the Ali Shah Mosque<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each of these walls is 10 meters wide, consisting of two thick walls connected by arches. Excavations have revealed that 7 meters of the walls are buried underground. The remaining structure of the Citadel is 30 meters wide and 26 meters tall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Nearby Attractions to Ali Shah Citadel<\/h2>\n\n\n\n