TEHRAN--The UNESCO-registered Sheikh Safi al-Din Khanegah and the Shrine Ensemble in Ardabil, northwest of Iran, were built between the beginning of the 16th century and the end of the 18th century. It is sometimes referred to as an intersection of Iranian history, mysticism, and culture.

This place of spiritual retreat in the Sufi tradition uses Iranian traditional architectural forms to maximize use of available space to accommodate a variety of functions (including a library, a mosque, a school, mausolea, a cistern, a hospital, kitchens, a bakery, and some offices). 

Where chinaware donated from the Chinese Empire, a 700-hundred cloak, and the tombs of martyred generals of Chaldoran, each tell a living story of Iran's identity and glory.
Sheikh Safi al-Din, a prominent mystic and a disciple of Sheikh Zahed Gilani, is the founder of a dynasty that shaped the fate of Iran for centuries: the Safavid dynasty. His tomb, along with a collection of historical halls, exquisite objects, and the tombs of the Chaldean warlords, has become one of the most important cultural and historical destinations in Iran.

One of the most fascinating parts of the complex is Chinikhaneh, a 400-year-old hall that houses more than 1,200 pieces of blue and white porcelain.

These vessels are a gift from the Chinese emperors to Safavid King Shah Abbas I and symbolize Iran’s cultural and economic ties with the Far East and the Silk Road. A visit to this hall is a journey into the heart of the history of global trade and cultural diplomacy.

Among the treasures of this collection is a 700-year-old cloak: a garment once worn by Sheikh Safi and considered a symbol of spiritual transmission and continuity of a path.

This cloak, which was passed down from Sheikh Zahed to Sheikh Safi, demonstrates the depth of the connection between the great mystics and the Safavid kings. 

Another notable part is the tomb of martyred generals of Chaldoran; a cemetery that was created upon the order of Shah Ismail Safavi to bury the generals of the Chaldoran war and is considered a symbol of sacrifice and resistance against enemies.

The ensemble incorporates a route to reach the shrine of the Sheikh divided into seven segments, which mirror the seven stages of Sufi mysticism, separated by eight gates, which represent the eight attitudes of Sufism. 

The ensemble includes well-preserved and richly ornamented facades and interiors, with a remarkable collection of antique artefacts. It constitutes a rare ensemble of elements of medieval Islamic architecture.

KD