Together with the Iranian authorities in Tabriz, the Tehran field office has decided on a comprehensive program for the restoration and scientific research of the medieval city area and the citadel of Rab-e Rashidi. The development of the ruins for tourism is also being planned. In the early 14th century, the Rab-e Rashidi complex and the associated city quarter were built by Rashid al-Din (1247-1318 AD) […]

Together with the Iranian authorities in Tabriz, the Tehran field office has decided on a comprehensive program for the restoration and scientific research of the medieval city area and the citadel of Rab-e Rashidi. The development of the ruins for tourism is also being planned.

In the early 14th century, the Rab-e Rashidi complex and its associated city quarter were planned by Rashid al-Din (1247-1318 AD) – a minister during the reign of the Ilkhanid ruler Ghazan Khan (1271-1304 AD). The founding document – written by Rashid al-Din himself and dated August 1307 – gives a very detailed picture of the structure and functions of an academic foundation, which is said to have included a university, an observatory, book production and accommodation for scientists. Rashid al-Din implemented a unique and extremely innovative program for the time to bring the country’s elites together in Tabriz. Historical sources also report on administrative structures, how many people, scientists and students as well as craftsmen and slaves worked in and for the quarter. After the death of Rashid al-Din, the commitment to the major Ilkhanid project waned. Around 200 years later, a small fortress with bastions and a surrounding wall was built on the site, the ruins of which dominate the area today. Ilkhanid wall remains and material only come to light during various modern measures (tree planting, basement construction) on the site.

The adopted program aims at acute restoration measures of the visible buildings (cannon tower and northern part of the city wall, which is in danger of collapsing) and at the touristic development of the site. Scientists and students from various faculties (architecture, restoration and conservation, archaeology) at Tabriz Islamic Art University are involved in the project. Among other things, a student competition is being organized for the tourist development of the site. The DAI is providing start-up funding for this. In addition, a long-term research program is being prepared in cooperation with the Institute for Iranian Studies and Islamic Art and Archaeology at the University of Bamberg.