The typology of Muslim minarets. Iranian specificity

Abstract

The subject of this research is the Muslim minarets in general and Iranian minarets in particular. The goal consists in forming a typological classification of Muslim minarets, and based on that determine the specificity of the Iranian types of minarets. The article employs iconographic, iconological and cultural methods, and stylistic analysis. The author set the following tasks: determine different types of Muslim minarets; select the Iranian examples among them; determine the degree of prevalence of these types namely in the Iranian architecture; formulate the peculiarities of the architectural image of minaret that emerged in the context of Iranian architecture. For objectivity, the author established the timeframe –since the VII century to the late XVIII century, which marks the Iranian medieval Muslim culture. The scientific novelty is defined by the importance of knowing the characteristics of Iranian minarets, which are perceived as a symbol of Iranian faith. Familiarization with the architectural peculiarities of the minarets reveals the specificity of the Iranian religious architecture and Iranian culture as a whole. The acquired results demonstrate that the Iranian minarets are notable for their cylindrical shape, unique decoration, pairs of towers, location next to the doorway of the mosque ornamenting the sided. One of their primary functions to accentuate the major portal of the mosque. For the most part, Iranian minarets are rather representative and decorative, than resemble a fortress.