Minaret Park
Arbīl
The Mudhafaria Minaret, located in the Minaret Park on the western side of Erbil in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, stands as a remarkable example of Ayyubid architecture. Constructed between 1190 and 1233 CE by the Turkoman prince Muzaffar Al-Din Abu Sa’eed Al-Gawkaboori during the reign of Salahadin, this 36-meter tall structure features a distinctive octagonal base and a tall cylindrical shaft. A balcony separates the base from the shaft, which is adorned with intricate interlocking diagonal Hazar-Baf motifs and Kufic calligraphy bearing the names of the builders. The minaret is believed to be the sole surviving remnant of a mosque that once stood on the site but has since been destroyed. Built primarily of baked bricks, the base is decorated with pointed-arch niches on each of its eight faces, while the balcony parapet includes twenty-four small niches. Visitors can enter the minaret via a door on the eastern side of the base, ascending to the balcony, though the upper balcony has collapsed. The Mudhafaria Minaret is not only a significant historical monument but also an architectural treasure that reflects the cultural and religious heritage of the Ayyubid period in the region.
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Astuce: The best time to visit Minaret Park and the Mudhafaria Minaret is during the cooler months to avoid the intense summer heat. Visitors should consider purchasing tickets in advance if available, and check local opening hours before planning their visit. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended for exploring the park and ascending the minaret base area. Group tours may provide insightful historical context. Discounts may be available for students and seniors.
Faits intéressants
- •The Mudhafaria Minaret is 36 meters (118 feet) tall, making it one of the tallest surviving minarets from the Ayyubid period.
- •Its octagonal base and cylindrical shaft design is characteristic of mosques built during the Ayyubid Sultanate.
- •The minaret features Kufic calligraphy with the names of Muhammad and Mas'oudi Muhammadi, the builders of the structure.
- •The upper balcony of the minaret has collapsed, but the lower balcony remains accessible.
- •The Mudhafaria Minaret is believed to be the only remaining part of a mosque that no longer exists.
Histoire
The Mudhafaria Minaret was constructed between 1190 and 1233 CE by Muzaffar Al-Din Abu Sa’eed Al-Gawkaboori, a Turkoman prince of Erbil who allied with Salahadin during his reign.
This period corresponds with the Ayyubid Sultanate, under which the minaret's architectural style flourished.
Originally part of a mosque, the minaret is the only surviving element after the mosque's destruction.
Over the centuries, the structure has endured partial collapse, notably losing its upper balcony, but remains a prominent historical landmark in Erbil.
Guide du lieu
Octagonal Base1190-1233 CE
The minaret's base is a high octagonal structure decorated with two tiers of pointed-arch niches on each of its eight faces, framed in rectangular panels. It contains the main access door on the eastern side leading to the balcony above.
Balcony Parapet1190-1233 CE
Located between the base and the cylindrical shaft, the balcony parapet is carved with twenty-four small niches. It serves as an observation point and separates the base from the shaft.
Cylindrical Shaft1190-1233 CE
The tall cylindrical shaft tapers inward and is adorned with interlocking diagonal Hazar-Baf brick motifs separated by thin bands. Kufic inscriptions decorate the shaft, showcasing the names of the builders.
Contact
Téléphone: 0751 225 8773