Sheikh Safi al-Din Khānegāh & Shrine Ensemble

Sheikh Safi al-Din Khanegah and Shrine Ensemble is a historic monument in Ardabil which contain different sections with unique Islamic Architectural style.

Sheikh Safi al-Din Khanegah and Shrine Ensemble was built with Azeri style, one of the best Islamic Architectural style. This well-known monument is located in Ardabil province. It is also one of the UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Sheikh Safi al-Din was the founder of the Safavid dynasty. After his death, his son Sadr al-Din Musa tried to build a shrine for his father. This historic site was completed during the Safavid dynasty. Due to the respect of the Safavid kings to Sheikh Safi al-Din, various sections were added to this Shrine. Different section of this site ae as follows: tomb of Ismail I (The first king of the Safavid dynasty), Tomb of BiBi Aqa Mahmonir (wife of Ismail I), Allah-Allah Dome, Jannat-Sara, harem, Qandil-Khaneh, Nanva-Khaneh, and Naqareh-Khaneh. Moreover, martyrs of the Battle of Chaldiran were buried in the Sheikh Safi al-Din Khanegah and Shrine Ensemble.

This complex has four courtyard. The house of Sheikh Safi al-Din is located at this complex. According to the will of Sheikh Safi al-Din, his corpse was buried in a room next to the Khalvat-khaneh. Sheikh Safi al-Din Khanegah and Shrine Ensemble has marvelous ornamentation as follows: Mosaic, Muqarnas, Stucco, fabulous inscription, effects of famous Safavid calligraphers, worthy wood carving, silversmith, illuminated manuscript, and painting.
 

• The portal

The entrance gate of the Shrine is placed on the east side of Ali Qapu Square, which its wooden door opens to the large courtyard. The portal of Sheikh Safi al-Din Khanegah and Shrine Ensemble was placed in front of the entrance gate on the west side of the Ali Qapu Square. Currently, this portal is disappeared. 

• Jannat-Sara mosque  

Jannat-Sara was designed with an octagonal shape without altar on the left side of the entrance gate. This part was used to Sama (Sufism) ceremonies. This mosque had a dome in the past, but it had destroyed. A wooden ceiling on the 16 wooden pillars was built during the Qajar dynasty. You will see a girih lattice window in front of the Jannat-Sara.
 

• Qandil-Khaneh

This part is the most important section of the Sheikh Safi al-Din Khanegah and Shrine Ensemble, which placed with two-story in front of the entrance gate. Five wooden windows on the both stories has created a marvelous view.

• Chini-Khaneh

Chinie-Khaneh is placed on the east side of the Qandil-Khaneh. It contains four Shah-Neshin which has vaults with plaster muqarnas. The harmony of colors has created an astonishing view with arabesque. Shah Abbas I had kept the dishes of Zarrineh, Simmineh, and the custom dishes from China at this place.

• Visiting information

  It is better to know some information about visiting time and the payment of it.
   
  • Visiting the Sheikh Safi al-Din Khanegah and Shrine Ensemble for foreign visitors costs 200,000 IRR.
  • During spring and summer you can visit the Sheikh Safi al-Din Khanegah and Shrine Ensemble from 8:00 AM until 8:00 PM.
  • During Autumn and Winter you can visit the Sheikh Safi al-Din Khanegah and Shrine Ensemble from 8:00 AM until 5:30 PM.

• What is the best time to go?

Due to the cold climate of Ardabil province, the best time to visit the Sheikh Safi al-Din Khanegah and Shrine Ensemble is from late June until late September.

• Getting there?

Sheikh Safi al-Din Khanegah and Shrine Ensemble is located on the Ali Qapu Square, Sheikh Safi Street. If you want to take a taxi, you will call 133. You can ride a bus and get off at the Ali Qapu station. It is a four-minute walk from the bus station to the shrine.