The Alavian Dome of Hamedan | 900 Years of Persian Art and Faith

The Alavian Dome of Hamedan stands as one of Iran’s finest architectural treasures — a 12th-century masterpiece from the Seljuk era that unites geometry, faith, and craftsmanship in perfect harmony.
This square brick monument, built almost 900 years ago, was originally constructed as a mosque by the Alavian family — descendants of Imam Ali — and later became their family mausoleum. Its four massive corner towers and deep arched recesses create a striking silhouette that once supported a magnificent dome, now lost to time. Even today, the exterior brickwork carries traces of Kufic inscriptions and delicate geometric designs that echo the rhythms of Persian art.

Inside, the atmosphere changes completely. The inner hall is covered from floor to ceiling in intricate stucco carvings — swirling vines, floral motifs, and verses from the Quran, each line hand-shaped with precision nearly a millennium ago. Soft daylight filters through the narrow windows above, moving slowly across the walls and bringing every curve and detail to life. At the southern end, the mihrab — the prayer niche — forms the spiritual heart of the monument. Its layered calligraphy and fine arabesques reflect the devotion and artistry that defined Islamic architecture at its height.

Behind the mihrab, a narrow staircase leads down into the crypt, a silent world beneath the main hall. Here, two tombs rest in peace, covered with turquoise tiles that glimmer faintly in the dim light. The crypt’s plain arches and cool brick walls contrast sharply with the ornamented space above — a reminder of the balance between beauty and humility, life and eternity.

In this episode of Living in Hamedan, we explore the Alavian Dome not only as a monument of stone and plaster but as a living story of Persian identity — a place where the architecture of faith still whispers through every shadow and every brick.

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