Tomb of Daniel

Tomb of the Daniel is one of the main social and religious characteristics of Shush city which is located in the Khuzestan Province.

Daniel was one of the Israelites prophets who lived in Babylon during the seventh century BC. He immigrated to Iran and settled in Shush with some Jewish people. Flooding had devastating effects on the tomb during Qajar dynasty.The tomb has rebuilt and a Zarih (like a shrine) placed at the center of the Tomb.
 

• Architecture

  The entrance gate of the Tomb of the Daniel is on the east side, like any synagogue in Iran. The synagogue is a Jewish or Samaritan house of worship. You will see the prominent architectural features at this tomb. Different sections of this tomb are as follows:
  
   
  • Portal and Courtyard
    
    The entrance gate of this tomb is placed on the west side of the Imam Khomeini Street. The portal has decorated by Islamic Qashani, a marvelous kind of Islamic Architectural Ornamentation. By passing the portal, you will enter the courtyard or Sahn of Tomb with a pond in the middle. The Sahn is a courtyard in Islamic architecture. The Tomb of Daniel has two courtyards which contain some Iwan and chambers in around. These chambers dedicated to the visitors and pilgrims.
     
  • Tomb
    
    The tomb is placed between two courtyards. The entrance gate of this part is located on the east side of the building. There are two minarets with the height of 10 meters on the both sides of the entrance gate. Also, the outdoor façade has decorated with marvelous Qashani. When you enter the tomb, you will see a spiritual space which contains Āina-kāri, Stucco, Marble, and a Zarih in the center. The area of Zarih is about 49 square meters with a fabulous dome above it.
     
  • 
     
  • Dome
    
    The dome above the Zarih is the prominent part of this tomb, which has built with hexagon shape and Sarooj. This two-shelled dome is called a pineapple dome (Orchin). This pineapple dome is like a stepped dome, which has a conical shape with a height of 5.20 meters and 10.5 meters diameter. Moreover, there are four Brass orbs on the dome which no one know the reason.
     
  • 
     
  • Grave
    
    The grave of Prophet Daniel is placed on the underground of the Zarih. To reach the grave, you should go left at the locker through a roofed courtyard on the southern side of the tomb. You will reach the chamber through a corridor. The chamber has a length and width of seven meters and a height of 80.1 meters.

• What is the best time to go?
   

This tomb is placed in the Shush, Khuzestan Province, which has a hot climate. Late September until early April is the best time to visit the Tomb of Daniel.

• Getting there?
   

The Tomb of Daniel is placed on the Imam Khomeini Street. You will reach there via private car or take a taxi.