Soltaniyeh(The Tomb of Oljaytoo) Click for large view

The mausoleum of Oljaytu was constructed in 1302–12 in the city of

Soltaniyeh, the capital of the Ilkhanid dynasty, which was founded by

the Mongols. Situated in the province of Zanjan, Soltaniyeh is one of

the outstanding examples of the achievements of Persian architecture

and a key monument in the development of its Islamic architecture. The

octagonal building is crowned with a 50 m tall dome covered in

turquoise-blue faience and surrounded by eight slender minarets. It is

the earliest existing example of the double-shelled dome in Iran. The

mausoleum’s interior decoration is also outstanding and scholars such

as A.U. Pope have described the building as ‘anticipating the Taj Mahal’.

Thanks for comments.

A very interesting map of Soltaniyeh.