Mausoleum of Mir Bozorg

The Mausoleum of Mir Bozorg ((مقبره میزبزرگ, also known as Mir Bozorg Marashi Tomb or Mashhad Mir Bozorg, is a complex located at Sabzeh Meydan Square, Amol in Mazandaran province.

The Mausoleum was dedicated to the founder of the Marashi dynasty  Ghavam al-Din Marashi, also known as Mir’e Bozorg (ruling from 1359 to 1362). Mir’e Bozorg was famous for his charismatic behavior and tolerant rule. His descendants continued to rule in Mazandaran until it was annexed by the Safavid dynasty in 1596. Nevertheless, even after its fall, the Marashi family continued to play an important role in the politics of the Safavid dynasty, as it had before.

The original structure was constructed in the 10th century and was square shaped although the current architecture is related to the Safavid era. The main entrance is on its southern side. The internal appearance, facade, adornments, tile work, and particularly the entrance door is of great historical value. Holy phrases have been inscribed in the kufic script, on glazed bricks on the internal part of the dome, thus adorning the same. Each side of the structure consists of five arced openings. The main dome is octagonal and is newer compared to the rest of the tomb. The eight pillars of the dome are each adorned with four frames of mosaics.

The complex has two floors which includes a museum and a library. Given the number of rooms it’s possible that they were utilized as classrooms and prayer rooms. Its main hall is 46.9 by 46.9 meters and opens towards the yard on its southern side. The interior walls are covered with yellow and blue mosaics although much of it has been destroyed. In its center is Mir Bozorg’s grave covered with a wooden lattice. This replaced an older one that was destroyed by a fire many years ago, and only the old frame remained on which the year 1032 inscribed. Surrounding it are three rooms while the second floor has two rooms, a hallway, and a staircase leading to the roof.

On January 6, 1932 the Mausoleum of Mir Bozorg was registered as one of Iran’s national relics with the registration number of 59.