International Journal Of Architecture and Urban Development 5 Amin Moradi Amin 3 E-ISSN 2345-2331 © 2019 IAU © 2019 2345-2331 E-ISSN , which this mechanism t was developed. firs Apparently, the Sassanid architecture was pioneer in this filed where all of the consequence- of series a with equipped were tructures s royal (Godard, 1965, the support to edges in rounded 80). Dietrich and O'Kane defined as adjoining semi occurred in the Sassanid buildings in Kiz, Bozpar, it & O'Kane, 1990), while (Dietrich tan and Sarves Negar, cutting-edge of the appearance the that ted has been sugges from north- of domes on squinches originated technology 2013), where the change from the tern (Safaipour, eas of an tence due to the exis Sassanid , rehabilitated was (301-331/914-943), mausoleum Samanid rib in added Here, fashion. by than rather reasons utilitarian by dictated by separated niches squinch is composed of two concave each of the a kind of buttress (Carrillo, 2016), and this segmentation trengthening s of trend new a as intended is squinch traditional tern tunit. of flourishedSince inthis thepractice northwes firs Iran, it was long held that this area was in general the cradle of by travelling of this model spreading where the this technique along with the Seljuqs' invasions developed and architects Sevgi Yilmaz 2 Iran Recieved 23.07.2019; Accepted 14.12.2019 Accepted 14.12.2019 Recieved 23.07.2019; Fereshteh Pashaei Kamali, 1* Architecturally, the Seljuqs' dominion makes a significant shift from the Pre-Islamic Sassanid Ph.D. in Archaeology; Research Center for Cultural Heritage Organization, Iran. 3* Seljuq Architecture, Dome Chamber, Transition Zone, . Associated Professor, Department of landscape architecture, Ataturk University, . [email protected] 2 one of Transition in Seljuq Dome Chambers of of Chambers Dome in Seljuq Transition of one Department of landscapearchitecture, faculty of architecture and design, Ataturk University, Turkey. 1 Keywords: ABS TRACT: TRACT: ABS Z squinchesticated transition to a sophis mechanism employed to change the walls a square of chamber to an octagonal baseto setdome. a Thistruction initiated methodologynew a cons tohybridize theprevious experiences Sassanid of domes with new architecturaltendencies. tanding Thereason the is of thattransition the previous zone unders was a makeshifttent enough for future in quality, not consis architectural adventurestructures. in creating larger s Althoughtigation a cursory transition of inves zones Seljuq of dome chambers in some respects might reveal a fairly homogeneous framework, it has never tagnationmeant the of s architectural creativity in territory.different On the parts other hand, theof typology Seljuk and local schools Seljuq of transitions zones dome of chambers have not been thoroughly considered by geographical centralismtandardization in Iran.tanding a better For the of unders s of various techniques considered in Seljuq architecturebetween and 12th centuries 11th tructure to span thecubic in s a circular plan, this projectis aimed to clarify threevarious schools architectural of articulation concerning transitionzone in the Seljuq dome chambers Iran. of International Journal of Architecture and Urban Development and Urban Architecture of Journal International 2020 Winter 5-18. P 10, No.1. Vol.

INTRODUCTION AD and ty in 1040 After the Seljuk's defeat of Ghaznavid dynas tablished ty in , they es the Buyid dynas demolishing in 1055 Abbasid Caliphate themselves as new protectors of AD. Within fifty years, the SeljuqsUnder Seljuq . and much of of Iran, all encompassing createda vas t empire, as well wealth cultural Iran had a period of material, sultanate, as creativity in art and architecture (Bosworth, 2007, 280). architecture Iranian 1930s, when medieval the since Ever to made been have attempts depth, in tudied s be to began define the tics characteris of the typicalAlthough the dome and vaults were SeljuqIran (Hillenbrand, 1976). in in Iran (Woolley, Sassanian architecture in the prevalent change from the pre-Seljuq 1882, 131), the great 1961; Reber, transition zones in the ticated tem was the use of sophis sys torical to embark upon a his However, Seljuq architecture. of the idea of transition area employment tudy on the initial s complex a is truction cons architectural in chambers dome for at and time task, since it is not easy to pinpoint the place *Corresponding Author Email: introduced this deformation through the Seljuq territories his‌torians have used these terms counterintuitively (Creswell, accepting local variations. This short essay has focused on the 1952, 159; Grabar, 1986, 230; Ettinghausen & Grabar, 2000, topic of transition zones of Seljuqs' dome chambers in Iran. 200; Bloom, 1988; Kazimi Shishvan & Maleki 2018; Shahbazi et al., 2019), and others even went further by considering the MATERIALS AND METHODS transition zone as a result of the fragmentation of the squinch, The application of construction‌ geography as a young building s‌tating that it ceased to be mere architectural supports, and

Vol.10, No.1 Winter 2020 Winter No.1 Vol.10, material has always been underestimated‌ for using the field of became a recurring ornamental device in Islamic architecture building archaeology in Iran. Hence, the main focus of attention (Carrillo, 2016). Thus, misunderstanding‌ towards the contrast‌ in this paper is to classify similar transition zones all around Iran between and shouldered leads to the complicated during Seljuq period, and therefore a better understanding‌ of and sometimes contradictory results. In a study‌ undertaken by the evolution of the constructional‌ concepts of dome chambers Pirniya he proposed the theory of the architectural unity for in this period. The scale of existing‌ research on this topic is all Seljuq buildings in Iran in which the composition of a only covered dome chambers with quadrilateral plans of which transition zone in one point has followed the same language their original arrangement of structures‌ has not affected for of other regions. After about half a century, the authenticity centuries. In other words, the inclusion of specimens in this of this theory came under fire by the author, then a tructurals‌ paper is not an indication of their individual importance, but analysis was conducted assuming several scenarios over Seljuq rather as part of s‌tructural challenge they have to overcome domes to clarify its geographical characteristics‌ as well as

International Journal of Architecture and Urban Development Urban and Architecture of Journal International before reaching the circular plan of the dome. Otherwise, this s‌tatic behaviors in different parts of Iran (Moradi & Omrani, paper does not cover Seljuq structures‌ with polyhedral plans 2019, 98). Here, our purpose is to discuss the local empirical in which the construction‌ process never encountered a serious approaches of different regions towards the transition zones in challenge to reach the dome. A comparative study‌ has been Iran. applied to determine various boundaries of technical challenges involved in transition zones. Pre-Seljuq Technology of The Transition Zone

Period of transitions were critical in architecture (Huerta, LITERATURE REVIEW 2012). According to the architectural evidence, one of the most‌ The typological exploration of Seljuq's dome chambers, incontrovertible mechanisms of reaching an octagonal base in mounted on a rehabilitated pre-Islamic transition zone is order to set a dome had been appeared to be used in Baz-e- an issue that scholar's explanations have only covered some Hour which should be taken into account as one of the earliest‌ generalities of which the ground breaking inves‌tigation of remnants of the Sassanids' Chahar-Tagi archetype, located in Hillenbrand is merely limited to the Northwest‌ of Iran; hence, Khorasan; Northeast‌ of Iran (Pope 1982; Akbari 2011), where it is essentially impossible to confirm any hypothesis about a series of wooden beams are set in corbelled manner on the its finality through the Seljuq dominion in Iran. Moreover, he corners of the square cubic (see Fig. 1). A continuous sequence sugges‌ted a homogeneous local school for the Seljuq domed of concentric arches in the Ardashir Palace (224-240 AD) as (Hillenbrand, 1976). well as Sarvestan‌ royal building (420-438 AD) reveals the fact It is not surprising that there have been no clear boundaries that this technique became much more generalized during the between what have been known as the load-bearing unit of Sassanid era due to the scarcity of wooden sources in Central shouldered arch and the description of decorative member of Iran. Although the earliest‌ employment of the conic squinch in muqarnas, since what can be seen in any transition zone of Iran is a debate of s‌tudies, with no doubt it was prevailed till the dome chambers has the common characteristic‌ of concave early Islamic ages (see Fig. 1). niches encompassing several lobes which are corbelled to As a result of the building practice, by understanding‌ how create a s‌talactite shape form1. From this point of view, many the thrus‌t line affects the transition zone, the science of the

Fig. 1: Transition mechanism of pre-Seljuq structures.‌ Right: Baz-e-Hour; Left: Sarvestan‌ palace.

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International Journal Of Architecture and Urban Development 7 in other words, a connected set of reinforced pointed arches pointed set of reinforced in other words, a connected was sufficed to resize the diagonal of the square and hold the of t of the dome. It is very probable that the appearance thrus the similar rule in such trationa of different place is a demons who ters were in search of the basic knowledge mas travelling truction, which is fit. of cons of the location Tim, of near Bukhara lies the village Very 366/977-367/978 between built mausoleum a Arab-Ata, the of previous mechanisms 2016). Here, the simplicity (Carrillo, by a modern arrange zones has been replaced of transition tance circums niches, depending on the particular of concave this followed Having equilibrium. in remain to units of the integrated levels the result will be two segregated truction, ins on converging niches two concave includes level t Firs unit. as a to mount tage s the of the square, such as setting diagonal the tribution dis t of thrus ability the and enhancing upper arch, the which affects the wholenet (Morad & Omrani 2019, 67). A arch whose presents a tri-foiled front view of this combination sections non-bearing on the arches as blind appeared concept to transition providing a highly dynamic of the dome chamber, tructure (Fig. 4). the s Iran, central in tem sys alien an is not technique this Apparently, architectural new a in appears that of feature definite the where language, assembled inside the pointed squinches. Particular Fig. 3: The composition of the transition zone in the Nain Mosque. (Safaipour, 2013) the Nain Mosque. (Safaipour, The composition of the transition zone in Fig. 3: Fig. 2: Transition mechanism in the Samanid mausoleum, reinforced using a rib-shape buttress. mechanism in the Samanid mausoleum, reinforced Transition Fig. 2: cons truction technology of the squinch entered the next phase, cons loading a conic since it was conclusively proven that by through the tribute dis not only will t line squinch, the thrus traight also will be transferred through a s but conic geometry, squinch of the apices passing the line, a with along direction walls load-bearing two the where edges, the reaching and force through a semi- Hence, the idea of channeling meet. by the modern been replaced conic geometry had immediately of focusing on the rib-shape buttresses, which became tendency of the Samanid mausoleum t conspicuous element the mos Thus, the rib unit was an indispensable (301-331/914-943). squinch, following to support the crown of the pointed device an arithmetical procedure (see Fig. 2). Although it is difficult to to conclusion why and when masons came to interpret is the this however, tem; sys squinch reinforced a assemble towards the of a new attitude t successful solution earlies 2013). transition zone (Safaipour, Exploring the reflective ceiling planset of double- a conservative presenting century), (fourth/tenth of the Mosque Nain in which the rib buttresses holding the pointed arch frame is a squinch, of of the level the at act units additional among masonry projects (Fig. 3). It is proof of its acceptance in that the transition challenge tinction this dis to make important the cubic dimensions; Nain Mosque has never led to increasing Vol.10, No.1 Winter 2020 Winter No.1 Vol.10,

Fig. 4: Transition zone in the Arab-Ata mausoleum (366/977) (Carrillo, 2016).

interes‌t is the shrine of Davazdah-Imam at Yazd, built not. While the dimensions of dome chamber in the Samanid around two years before the beginning of the Seljuq invasion mausoleum (10*10m) does not reflect an architectural turn

International Journal of Architecture and Urban Development Urban and Architecture of Journal International (429/1039). Using the analogy with the Arab-Ata, this structure‌ point in terms of diameter in analogy with the pre-Islamic signifies a multiplication of previous experiences. When it project like those in Niasar (14*14m), Negar (12*12m), comes to design the transition zone for this mausoleum, as an Sarves‌tan (13*13m), and Firouzabad (12*12m). One might empirical calculation, the pointed frame of the transition zone propose the idea of requisite for rethinking about the traditional rehabilitated in connection with the shouldered arch sys‌tem. transition zones of the ancient engineering, considering the Here, the relevant parameter to determine the maximum height relatively expensive Sassanid technique of lime mortar that of the transition zone is the dimensions of the pointed frame, covered a huge percentage of high quality stone‌ materials as which holds the niches to withs‌tand against‌ the thrust.‌ Having filler, which would have been replaced by bricks‌tructures considered all the s‌tructural benefits of what has been built, the including limited amount of lime, for a huge construction‌ fee presence of such combination would suffice as a buttress and to keep costs‌ down; evidently, as the Seljuq's solution to make decoration without causing extra expenditures. However, this the whole cons‌truction much lighter. idea is less conservative than that of Samanid mausolea or Nain Although the lack of abundant architectural evidence makes it mosque, which the single units support the squinch. Instead,‌ a impossible to have a chronological study‌ of this transition, but solid net of the shouldered arch facilitates it to endure when a with reference to the Table 1, interestingly,‌ the distribution‌ of great weight is loading the transition zone and this allows to the s‌tone and lime masonry in comparison with the brick and have a sys‌tem of internal compressive forces which transmit lime s‌tructures in Iran reveals the fact that the inaccessibility the loads through this member (Fig 5). to the lime sources in the early Seljuq homelands in Northeast‌ of Iran (Mollai, 2009; Dehkordi 2017) should be considered Relations Between Materials and Dimensions in the Seljuq as one of the most‌ probable reasons for new attitude towards Dominion masonry. To put this into perspective, comparing the two In some cases, it is open to doubt whether this new technology contemporary structures‌ of -e-Jabaliyya in Kerman did change the size of very early specimens of new project or Province and Mumina Khatun in Nakhjivan, both dating back to

Fig. 5: Transition zone of the Davazdah Imam Mausoleum (426/1037) at Yazd Province.

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International Journal Of Architecture and Urban Development 9 Building Se-Gonbad Borj-e-Toghrol Borj-e-Modavar Davazdah Imam Gonbad-e-Sorkh Mumina Khatun Kharagan Tower Kharagan Gonbad-e-Kabud Borj-e-Damavand Borj-e-Mehmandus t Borj-e-Mehmandus th 6 1111 1155 1184 Date 1081 1201 1214 1203 1050 1166 Plan Otherwise, the architecture of the Seljuqs was incapable of any of any was incapable Seljuqs of the architecture the Otherwise, in principles changes material without better for the change for inadequate were mortar lime and tone s forms, while and was it since change, entire an without development further the of niches in reach the concave form to purely irreproachable tone materials, s high-quality the shouldered arch by carving the initiated the In general, problem. tereotomic s complicated a enough for much reliable was not of brick material experience squinch became of the conic multiplicity bigger domes, but the was it when architecture Seljuq of the feature dominant the al-Mulk excessive dimension of Nizam on its peak, where the out absolutely was (15.2m) Mosque Gazvin and (15m) Dome era (Moradi & Omrani, 2019, 67). of touch during the Sassanid 1) (Table 0.6 0.9 0.8 1.2 0.6 0.9 07. 1.85 1.45 1.45 Wall Width of Width 11 11 12 13 13 10 25 10 20 14.5 Height 5 5 7 Table 1: The approximate height and width of walls in Seljuq's tombs. 1: Table 11 15 10 16 7.5 8.5 13.83 Inner Diameter Material Brick/lime Brick/lime Brick/lime Brick/lime Brick/lime Brick/lime Brick/lime Brick/lime Brick/lime Brick/lime 582/1203 AD, will clarify different approaches towards s tatical s towards approaches different clarify will AD, 582/1203 is a height of Gonbad-e-Jabaliyya where the 18m challenges naive effort towards reaching tructure a in lofty front s of the without adding remains even of Mumina Khatun’s 25m height dome. 8-10m of its demolished height of the approximate in Gonbad-e-Jabaliyya the fears over displacement Apparently, to think about thicker walls, where had forced the mason but, with the help of new materials it caught more than 3m; Khatun, techniques in Mumina architectural besides innovative than more exceed does not wall of the width maximum the t a but number, a definite1/85m successand due this is not jus in the (brick and lime) of the new materials to the application Seljuq architecture. Continiue of Table 1: The approximate height and width of walls in Seljuq's tombs.

Inner Width of Material Height Plan Date Building Wall Diameter Vol.10, No.1 Winter 2020 Winter No.1 Vol.10, 8.9 12 1.5 1069 Gonbad-e-Ali S tone/lime

S tone/lime 7 15 1.57 1164 Sheikh Jonaid

11 18 3.10 1203 Gonbad-e-Jabaliyya S tone/lime International Journal of Architecture and Urban Development Urban and Architecture of Journal International

Seljuq Technology of Transition Zone a vital role in spreading Seljuq policies to the West (Moradi Undoubtedly, a fresh feeling in cons truction technology & Omrani 2019, 72). According to the historians, this point appeared during the Seljuq dominion when the principle of Iran experienced the collusion of Muslims (Seljuqs) and

dis tinction between height of the buildings depends on Non-Muslims (the Byzantine) (Zaporozhets, 2012), where the their revolutionary sys tem of transition zones, when it was unprecedented number of unknown tombs to commemorate vital to create well-deserved s tructures to reflect the Seljuq those ceased in the holy war (Jahad) is a testimony for its magnificence. One important fact about political transition sacredness. A superficial review of the Seljuq architectural from eas t to the wes t of Iran during the Seljuq dominion is remnant in this region, such as Marand Mosque (485/1106), a massive range of possibilities to adapt and develop the Urmia Mosque (5th century), Se-Gonbad (580/1201), Borj- prior architectural traditions, like those in the aforementioned e-Modavr (563/1184), Gonbad-e-Sorkh (542/1163), Gonbad- buildings of Ismail Samanid and Arab-Ata mausoleum. It e-Kabud (593/1241), and Mumina Khatun (582/1203) will is evident that, the evolution of the transition zones during reveal the fact that despite other parts of Iran, a large variety Seljuq architecture begins with the earliest departure from the of plans from square to octagonal, dodecahedral, and circular cons truction forms of the pre-Seljuq ages in northwes t Iran. were common. Since the challenge of transition has a close tie Likewise, Seljuq masons had the opportunity to experience with the geometry of plan, as well as number of the sides, the different schools including those edifices, which employ science of transition from dodecahedron or even octagon to a various principles of local knowledge related to the transition circle base would not follow controversial arrangements. Thus, zone. In other words, the Seljuq mechanism of transition from a s tructural point of view, a radial series of pointed arches zone found its full expression as a s tandard sys tem on the would suffice to create a dome in Borj-e-Modaver2 (the circular previous monuments, from whence it spreads through its tower), Gonbad-e-Kabud, and Mumina Khatun, while in other territory, where the seed had already been sown in the powerful specimens, the existence of a capable transition mechanism architecture poles like central and northwest of Iran. Anyway, would be inevitable owing to the geometry. this approximate simultaneous attitude had never followed At a glance, it might be sugges ted that the limited breadth of the same rules in the whole Seljuq dominion. When we come Gonbad-e-Sorkh and Borj-e-Modavar3 ruled the employment of to Seljuq time, however, the localization determines the simple shouldered arch to support the dome, while considering architectural forms and the articulation of the transition zone is the idea of assembling the dome in the Marand Mosque not an exception. In order to spotlight various tendencies over (diameter≈ 7.6 m) and Urmia Mosque4 (diameter≈ 10.7m), this architectural unit in Seljuq dominion, three distinguishable where the load-bearing concaved facets mounted on each school related to the transition zone has been classified due to other in two levels precisely, would devalue this assumption the field s tudies. proposing the specific architectural genre of transition zone in the Northwest of Iran (Fig 6). Northwes t of Iran In Marand mosque5, the transition zone is lavishly decorated, With regard to the Seljuq boundaries, in particular the s trategic which the detail work is s trong enough to accept this importance of the frontlines, with no doubt, Northwes t of speculation that close relations between Tabriz (the major city Iran would be on the top, since this place had always played during the Seljuq era) and Marand (the most important s top

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International Journal Of Architecture and Urban Development 11 resis tance agains t compression, not tension, as a consequence t compression, tance agains resis (see Marand in zone of transition homogeneous appearance a Fig 7) would reflect a better behavior in comparison with the merely of Urmia, tem sys and heterogeneous discontinues terms, the Thus, in Marand, in technical covering the edges. tatic or redundant. tatically hypers arch is s Alborz School Seljuq unique of collection a Iran, of t Northwes the from far Not (509/1130), buildings encompassing three mosques in Gazvin seven towers and (575/1196), Qorva century), Sujas (5th/11th tern Wes tern 460/1081, Kharragan (Eas (534/1155), Toghrol of Chehel-Dokhtaran t (490/1111), Mehmandus 486/1107), (443/1064), and Damavand (6th century) (464/1085), Lajim Fig. 6: Transition mechanism in the Urmia mosque. Transition Fig. 6: Fig. 7: Marand Mosque; an interconnected set of concave units in the transition zone. . Beyond comparison, what differentiates the 6 before Tabriz) would explain this aris tocratic attitude toward toward attitude tocratic this aris explain would Tabriz) before mosque this principles of transition zone in this mosque with Urmia, is the principles of transition zone in this mosque around the niches, circling net of concaved tangled continued of the cubic dome chamber even in the middle circumference unity tructural s the to would have led sides, which this of the On the is ample. safety tructural Thus, its s equilibrium. and size of sides in Urmia Mosque the considerable contrary, the lack with Marand Mosque, has dictated in comparison By its very nature, in Urmia continuity. tructural of such a s downward to yield tend sides will of the middle Mosque, the of Although the application vulnerable. making it relatively in both cases provides the single brick material the unilateral Table 2: Architectural similarities between the Sassanid transition zones and Seljuq's methods in the Alborz School.

Building Ardes tan Palace Sarves tan Palace Niasar Temple Vol.10, No.1 Winter 2020 Winter No.1 Vol.10, Sassanid Mechanism of the Transition zone

Gazvin mosque Qorva mosque Sujas mosque International Journal of Architecture and Urban Development Urban and Architecture of Journal International Seljuq Mechanism of the transition zone in Alborz School

holds the second powerful cons truction pole of the fifth/ characteristic of this region. eleventh century, s tretching from the East mos t point of What is fascinating about this school is the close fraction Northwes t of Iran to the Raga (the important capital of Seljuqs') of the height to the width of the pointed frame of transition and its surrounding parallel to the Alborz mountains. In terms zone in Qorva (1:1.3), Sujas (1:1.4), and Gazvin (1:1.36) of diameter, although those of Qorva (5.5m) and Sujas (9.2m) which this promulgate a s tatical edict, since the eccentric are noticeably smaller, but Qazvin dome chamber (15.2m) is increasing in vertical units, without thinking about buttressing of a size to challenge in comparison with the Mosque members, would cause severe damages parallel to buckling, (15m) (Hillenbrand, 1976). displacement, and deformation; Hence, this ratio could not A purely different architectural s tatement appears in the overshoot this s tandard, which means that the pointed frame Toghrol tower in which the diameter of the s tructure (16m) has higher than this proportion can't be prepared. Otherwise, by exceeded the defined norms with the help of the circular plan, scaling up, the safety coefficient will decrease as a corollary of being well-deserved to be titled as a mega-structure (Moradi & the inferior proportions. Omrani 2019, 80). Like polyhedron s tructures of the Northwes t In the case of thrus t dis tribution, two dis tinguished approaches Iran, the criterion of geometry governs conveniently as a certain have been followed in the Northwes t of Iran versus Alborz guaranty for the s tability of the transition zone in Kharragan, School. To understand the concept, it is only necessary to have Mehmandust, and Damavand without overwhelming s tatic some familiarity with the dis tribution of forces. As figure 8 challenges. demonstrates, the paradox of transmission of force to overcome Although this issue is a matter of debate7, the influence of thrust is a real contradiction in Marand and Qazvin mosque. the Sassanid modules of the transition zone in this region is It’s hard to ensure that the overall form of the transition zone irrefutable, where the articulation of a pointed frame supported in Alborz School is more than a modified version of the by two concaved niches8, a feature that had no hitherto existed Sassanid's retained techniques in which the load will affect in the northwes t of Iran, which narrates the similar s tructural the pointed frame breaking in tow branches, where the vertical caprice of those in the Ardashir palace, Niasar temple, and thrust is constant (Fig 8) Although this method might present Sarvestan royal building (Table. 2). However, details are a saving of masonry, s tatically, the point of application of the noteworthy, as a radial series of smaller arches employed at thrust will lie within the thickness of the pointed frame. Here, the uppermost level of the transition zone before the circular the main threat lies in the fact that, theoretically, the criterion of base is the cons tant feature of this school. In spite of the fact a single arch is unsafe, in particular, when the s tructure grows that this technique famed exclusively along with the Alborz in size, because the frame will be dangerously near the collapse mountain range, the absence of a similar module in other parts situation due to the lack of any admissible support. In contrast, of Iran would be enough to verify such a rule as a conspicuous a tangled set of concave members in Marand Mosque is not

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International Journal Of Architecture and Urban Development 13 introduced it as a lambency of sophis tication. (Fig 9) lambency of sophis it as a introduced 9 . In this school, although each building is a successful each . In this school, although 10 The architectural revivals of the combination of the transition of the combination of the revivals architectural The by the presence of a triangular shouldered trengthened zone s in central predominant become arch net have immediately of this Iran. Beside Isfahan domed mosques, a collection Zavare Mosque (555/1176), tan Ardes in method synthetic and Barsiyan Mosque (498/1119), Mosque (530/1151), trong enough to consider is s Mosque (512/1133) Golpayegan t of (Northwes arch shouldered of a simple hybridization the Central arch (Alborz School) in the single pointed Iran) and the Iran this combination t firs departed fromt (Nizam- Isfahan, whereof this type is presented by the south-eas example a fine of Isfahan's domes Mulk) (Taj-al t north-eas Mulk) and al Here, in 464/1072 and 480/1088, respectively. Mosque, built as one acting the squinch comprises four niches, the central squinch, while supported by a plain of barrel a segment Above design. concave the pointed niches retain the lateral of base the before area sixteen-sided a is proper octagon the solution like tructural s this latter dome itself; the hemisphere transition (Carrillo, a “squinch net” has enriches the zone of the pointed tabilized 2016), and the whole complex is used to s of series a by up broken is lobe cases, each t mos In frame. depth apparent the increase which sub-squinches, also lobbed, at set of facets array varied a titute cons and squinch the of the tributes dis succor that 1976); (Hillenbrand, angles different known is hitherto An arrangement dome. the of loads vertical more lobs that the The Iran. in the Central only particularly the shouldered tability ts of, the more s zone consis transition Although in (Moradi & Omrani 2019, 78). arch net guaranteed the with Mosque broke a tie Gazvin the of dimensions, terms transition Isfahan Mosque, but with the help of an enhanced supporting the dome, the zone, as well as the rib technique vivid difference between the crown of the dome in the Isfahan mosque Qazvin mosque (right). S tatically, the single frame is on the verge of collapse without material of a better quality. the single frame is on the verge tatically, Qazvin mosque (right). S Fig. 8: The design s trategy of the transition zone showing how thrus t affects this part of the s tructure in Marand mosque (left) and t affects this part of the s zone showing how thrus trategy of the transition The design s Fig. 8: Central Iran to forced which masons were in obligation intriguing The pole of Iran, as the religious tructures in central lofty s create enhancement quality the 2018), made Seljuqs' (Morsalpour, the trategies. truction s of the transition zone central to their cons as an axis of its reputation has gained this region Hence, two the with comparison in buildings proportional highly schools (Moradi & Omrani 2019, 76). Central aforementioned focusing zone, transition the on developments further offers Iran shouldered two features of triangle of the on the combination breathes approach synthetic This frame. pointed the with arch tart top-s s the after architecture Iranian the into back life the idea of Apparently, ages. of the early Islamic campaign only safe, but surplus by increasing the number of these units of these number the surplus by increasing but safe, only loaded t mos the to transmission t thrus ease the would which of a diminution parts (in general the bearing walls) without members will As a consequence, the interconnected the safety. net whereas in t line along with the brick the thrus tribute dis to a half (Fig 8. every lower joints, this fraction will decrease left). t tic of the dome chambers in the Northwes The characteris Alborz School does not necessarily School, as well as the tacles obs owing to some architectural warrant a lofty elevation Following zone. transition of the composition to the related height of maximum results, the limited to the numerical of dome height total mosque) for the 10m (Urmia approximate chambers in t the of Northwes Iran might proportions larger have for efficiency reflected safety the of the failure verification of above- combination successful the However, region. this in of equilibrium new patterns the to leads techniques mentioned of percentage very large Iran where a central in appears which in the theory change tantial impose a subs tructures high rise s of s tructure. Vol.10, No.1 Winter 2020 Winter No.1 Vol.10,

Fig. 9: Various dimensions of Seljuk’s domed chambers in Central Iran in comparison with Northwes t Iran caused by different technology used in the transition areas. a: Nizam-al Mulk’s dome; b: Barsian’s Jami Mosque; c: Ardes tan’s Jami Mosque; d: Golpayegan’s Jami Mosque; e: Taj-al Mulk’s dome; f: Qazvin’s Jami Mosque; g: Urmia’s Jami Mosque; h: Qorveh’s Jami Mosque; i: Sojas’s Jami Mosque.

Table 3: Transition area in Seljuqs' dome chambers of Iran. Ratio of Maximum International Journal of Architecture and Urban Development Urban and Architecture of Journal International Height to Di- Height of Tran- Type Pic Section Date Mosque ameter )m( sition Area )m(

Squinch in connection 1094 with Shouldered Arch

2.41 5.77 Nizam- al Mulk

Squinch in connection with Shouldered Arch 1.90 5.82 1102 Taj- al Mulk

Squinch in connection with Shouldered Arch 2.13 5.10 1176 Ardes tan

Squinch in connection with Shouldered Arch 2.12 5.32 1151 Zavareh

Squinch in connection with Shouldered Arch 2.14 5.13 1119 Barsian

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International Journal Of Architecture and Urban Development 15 Sojas Urmia Qazvin Qorveh Marand Mosque Golpayegan 5th 1130 1133 1196 1106 1297 Date Section Pic ) ) Type Squinch Squinch Squinch (Single frame (Single frame (Single frame) Shouldered Arch Shouldered Arch Shouldered with Arch Shouldered Squinch in connection Continiue of Table 3: Transition area in Seljuqs' dome chambers of Iran. area in Seljuqs' dome Transition 3: Table Continiue of .3.2 3.92 3.48 5.90 3.88 4.80 Maximum sition Area sition Area )m( Height of Tran- Height of 1.79 1.77 2.40 1.80 1.56 Ratio of demolished ameter )m( ameter Height to Di- experiment, the fraction of the height to the diameter of the zone would be enough to consider three architectural schools transition zone in the Nizam–al Mulk's dome (2:41) reveals the encompassing the Northwes‌t of Iran, Alborz, and Central Iran mos‌t ambitious architectural demands for an imperial project whose difference lies in the basic elements of cons‌truction while this fraction is disappointingly small in other specimens of the transition zone rather than proportions. The local (Table 3). development of architectural experiences in these three classes is not categorized by periodical purification while geographical

Vol.10, No.1 Winter 2020 Winter No.1 Vol.10, RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS variations in the science of construction‌ are inevitable. The The development of Seljuq architecture was revolutionary, firs‌t school, which one might go for convenience call the" and an explosion of s‌tructural creativity which never reflected Azerbaijan School", has prominent points of difference from a purely Darwinis‌t theory independent from exploring and the others and the significant character of the transition zone is developing preexis‌ting architectural theories. From this point an interconnected concaved niche. Although this guarantied the of view, the Seljuq transition zone is, in general, the old pre- dis‌tribution of thrust‌ line amazingly, it has its own limitations. Seljuq sys‌tem, modified by the requirements of the exigencies An initial architectural calculation seems to confirm that the of the new demand of cons‌truction. The higher s‌tructures of number of triangle lobs in this school had never exceeded Seljuq era needed amenities, and Sassanid architecture could not the norm of two layers; thus, the architectural outputs are afford (Moradi & Hoseinpour mizab, 2019). As a result, Seljuq noticeably smaller. The Alborz school presents an involuntary architecture adapted and developed the Sassanid techniques imitation of the Sassanid technique as a structural‌ obligation,

International Journal of Architecture and Urban Development Urban and Architecture of Journal International but this diversity proceeded smoothly. Although Hillenbrand and the ratio of width to the height in the pointed frame of the s‌tates having had no single type of transition mechanism had transition zone has always shown a concerted attempt to keep predominance throughout Iran during the Seljuq dominion and the same coefficient ratio (≈ l:1.4). An architectural correction the factors which led to the adoption of one or another type in a of aforementioned practices was necessary to reach the given case are s‌till obscure, his unders‌tanding of transition zone higher elevations. In Isfahan, the experiences of other schools is actually incorrect and a cursory investigation‌ of the transition became incorporated into each other, introducing a pointed

zones in the Seljuq era helps to conclude that, firs‌tly, no dome frame supported by the shouldered arch net. Having followed has an absolutely regular mechanism of a transition zone. the Isfahan schools' instruction,‌ the result will be a mutant Secondly, no two regions share the same technical approach. mechanism for the transition zone to reach higher structures‌ Finally, three different empirical attitudes towards the transition (Fig. 10).

Fig. 10: Dis‌tribution of Seljuk’s Dome Chambers in Iran focusing on the various techniques of the transition zone. A: Urmia Mosque; B: Marand Mosque; C: Qazvin Mosque; D: Sojas Mosque; F: Qorva Mosque; J: Nizam- al Mulk Mosque; H: Taj- al Mulk Dome; I: Zavara Mosque; K: Ardes‌tan Mosque; L: Golpayegan Mosque; and M: Barsian Mosque.

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International Journal Of Architecture and Urban Development 17

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This paper is extracted from the PhD the corresponding This paper is extracted thesis of author titled “Farklı Ülkelerdeki Kent Meydanlarının submitted is which Peyzaj Analiz” İçin Kent Göre Kriterlerine Tasarım in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the Degree of PhD , Ataturk University: and design. Architecture in Turkey. END NOTES of series a with hanged be to needs Muqarnas tructurally, 1. S truction process. In other tructure during the cons connections to the s tructive, while each unit words, rather than cons it is more decorative transfer and succor to capability has this arch Shouldered with a along t line. the thrus a is following of this building appearance Although the exterior 2. cylindrical shape, the interior space has a square plan. like Gonbad-e-Sorkh ted that the small samples 3. It might be sugges and Borj-e-Modavar serve a scale model for the bigger domes. by zone of this mosque has been coated the transition 4. Unfortunately, torations. ter during the recent res plas of course the in vanished has been dome of the form total the 5. Here, the his tory. mind in keep we if doubled be would theory this of authenticity The 6. tucco s highly-decorated Invasion's a Mongol the during that capital as the was served Tabriz when this mosque to added has been of the Islamic world. 7. tructures Byzantine were s of crucial influence to the deformation Along with perso-Islamic 2011). (Yildiz, samples Islamic of early Armenian and trong Byzantine had a s Anatolia however, traditions, ACKNOWLEDGEMENT This is the firs t attemptThis for is classifyingthe Seljukfirs dome chambers tudies, s previous Unlike view. of point tatic s the from Iran in followed an in Iran never not only has tic of its appearance the main characteris but unity, architectural varies in different parts Although of the Iran. lack of abundant remains make it fairly impossible of archaeological evidence the in zone tory of transition his truction cons the tigate inves to t thrus the tand ideas to withs period, separate span of Seljuk towards attitudes tinguishable dis creates three of the dome t of the dome. channeling the thrus solutions changed tructural forms and s As architectural ter- mas the is that hypothesis possible one geographically, acquired knowledge their were focused on applying builders to related conditions tructural S science. local by considering to the lead building were actually they projects to the area each dome Seljuk of zones transition shaping in approaches different chambers in Iran, which are as follows: arch. t of Iran, including shouldered a) Northwes to frame pointed only an representing School, Alborz b) support the dome. two of these combination on the focusing Iran, Central c) shouldered of mechanism admissible an achieve to techniques arch which is supported with a pointed frame. CONCLUSION arch in the so-called Ark-e-Alishah. Nexus Network Journal, 4, 1-20. s‌tudies, 5, 5-19. 17. Moradi, A., & Omrani, B. (2019). The review of the Ilkhanid 22. Shahbazi, H., Monteshari, M., Hosseini Niya, S. M., Mohamadian, architecture in Northwes‌t Iran. Tehran: RICHT (Research center for Z. (2019). The development of bricks ornamentation from the cultural heritage organization). early Islamic centuries to the end of Kharazmshahian period in the 18. Morsalpour, M. (2018). Reflection of Iranian Governance Pattern architecture of mosques in Iran. International Journal of Architecture in Khaje Nizam Al-Mulk's Syasat-Nama. International journal of and Urban Development, 9 (2), 61-72.

Vol.10, No.1 Winter 2020 Winter No.1 Vol.10, humanities, 24 (4), 43-57. 23. Woolley, L. (1961). The art of the Middle East‌ including Persia, 19. Pope, A. U. (1982). Persian Architecture. Iran: Soroush Publication. Mesopotamia and Palestine.‌ New York: Crown Publishers. 20. Reber, V. F. (1882). His‌tory of Ancient Art. (Clarke, J. T., Tran.) 24. Yildiz, S. K. (2011). A Review of Byzantine S‌tudies and New York: Harper and Brothers. Architectural Historiography‌ in Turkey. Metu, 2 (28), 63-80. 21. Safaipour, H. (2013). Understanding‌ the identity of shouldered 25. Zaporozhets, V.M. (2012). The Seljuks. (K.A., Nazarevskaia, arch by analyzing the initial specimens. Journal of Iranian architecture Trans.). Germany: Hannover. International Journal of Architecture and Urban Development Urban and Architecture of Journal International

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