The Tower of Toghrul, also transliterated as Tughrul or Tuğrul Tower, is a 12th-century monument, located in the city of Rey, Tehran province, Iran. Toghrul Tower is near Rashkan Castle. This photo was taken by Italian colonel and photographer Luigi Pesce from the 1860s.
The tower is widely believed to be the tomb of Tughril I (Tuğrul Beg), the founder and first Sultan of the Great Seljuk Empire, who died in Rey in 1063. However, there are alternative theories, with some historians suggesting it is the burial place of Khalil Sultan, the son of Timur Lang, in the 15th century.
The 20-meter-tall (66 ft) brick tower is an excellent example of Seljuk-era tomb architecture. Its original design included a conical dome (gonbad), which has since collapsed, likely due to an earthquake.
The thickness of the walls varies from 1.75 to 2.75 m (5.7 to 9.0 ft). The inner and outer diameters are 11 and 16 m (36 and 52 ft), respectively. The exterior shape is that of a polygon with 24 angles in its design, which is thought to contribute to the structure’s stability against tremors. At the top of the tower, Kufic inscriptions were originally observable.
The exterior of the tower is a striking polygonal shape with 24 vertical angles (or corners), giving it a ribbed or pleated appearance. This design was not just aesthetic; it was an ingenious architectural feature intended to provide structural stability and resistance against earthquakes.
The 24 angles of the exterior act as a clever, hidden sundial. As the sun moves, the shadow cast by the angles and the play of light and shadow on the exterior allows for accurate time-telling. The interior of the cylindrical structure possesses unique acoustic properties, amplifying sounds made inside.
Due to Rey’s location on the historic Silk Road, it is said that a fire was lit atop the tower to serve as a guiding beacon or landmark for travelers approaching the city from Khorasan, especially on foggy nights.
Over the centuries, the tower suffered damage, with the original conical dome collapsing, probably from an earthquake.
The tower underwent its first major recorded restoration in the late 19th century (around 1884/1885) by the order of Nasser al-Din Shah Qajar. While this saved the monument from complete ruin, some of the original intricate decorative work and Kufic inscriptions were lost or damaged during the process.
After a period of neglect following the Islamic Revolution, a comprehensive modern renovation project was initiated in the late 1990s and completed around the year 2000.
Today, the Tower of Toghrul stands as an important, well-preserved national monument, reflecting the architectural prowess, scientific knowledge, and rich cultural legacy of the Seljuk Empire in Iran.
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