AZERBAIJANI ARCHITECTURE IN THE TIMES OF
ILKHANIANS
The establishment of Ilkhanian state in the
middle of the 13th century was an indicator of important
developments in Azerbaijani history, as well as a new page
in the Azerbaijani culture.
Under the reign of Holakou Khan (1256-65),
who was the founder of Ilkhanian dynasty who respected
science, the first observatory of the country was
established in Maragha city. The transfer of the state
capital to Tabriz at that time, made this city important and
made it a center for art and artists. As a result of these
developments settlements such as Arquniyyeh, Qazaniyyeh and
Rashidiyye were established around Tabriz. Ilkhanians were
famous for their Rashidiyye Institution which was
constructed by the Vizier of Qazan Khan, Rashideddi. In
Rashidiyye , which was known as an academy or city of
education, there were 24 caravanserais, 1500 stores, 30.000
houses, theological schools, 2 large bookshops, Turkish
baths, vineyards, mills, atelier to produce wools and paper,
paint houses, mints, 2 mosques and other buildings.
Rashidiyye was actually famous for its architectural
buildings such as Kubbe (Rashidaddin Mausoleum), Dar-ul Sifa
(Recovery House) Hospital, Abadsaray Vineyard-Palace
Complex. One of the magnificent architectures of that time
was Alishah Mosque (14th century) in Tabriz and Oljaytu
Khodabandeh Mausoleum (1305-13) in Sultaniyye. Both of the
buildings were constructed by Tajaddin Alishah Tabrizi (he
was also the architect of those buildings) who was the
Vizier of Ilkhanli ruler Oljaytu Mohammad Khodabande.
Afterwards the magnificent Alishah Mosque, which is known as
the Castle of Arc, and splendid Sultaniyye Mausoleum
inspired many architectural works of art. In the
architecture of the mosque and schools, which were
constructed by Timur in Samarghant, the Alishah Mosque was
taken as an example. A century after the construction of
Oljaytu Khodabande Mausoleum, on the dome of Santa Maria Del
Fiore Church in Florence constructed by Italian architect F.
Brunelleski, the constructive principles and styles of
Soltaniyyeh Mausoleum were seen. One of the most beautiful
works of art of 15th century in the Tabriz school of
architecture is Goy Mosque (1465, Architect Kajeh Ali
Gujaji, Carver Namatoullah Albavvab) in Tabriz. The
architectural style, monumental dome, quad spacious living
room, Greek and geometrical embroideries, carved decorations
and decorative epitaphs of Goy Mosque, which was named as
“Turquoise of Islam”, showed the high level of development
of Azerbaijani architecture-engineering art of 15th century.
By the establishment of the Safevi State in
the end of 15th century and at the beginning of 16th century
and the declaration of Tabriz as the capital, the political
and economical life of Azerbaijan was centralized in the
south of this holy region. At that time, with the fostering
of cities, important developments took place. In the
Azerbaijani architecture, the situation of Tabriz was
strengthened. The one on one natural and architecture
connection in the works of art, the compound composition of
works of art, the structure of magnificent domes, the
pleasant use of cutting and carving methods, the use of
epitaphs and inscriptions on the buildings are indicators of
the developments in these art concepts. In the 15th-16th
centuries, the Azeri architects and painters worked in other
countries and created important and precious works of art in
various cities.
It is easy to see the trace of Azeri
architecture in the architectural works in Bursa, Cairo,
Baghdad, Damirkapi (Darband), Herat, Samarghand and other
cities.
