Qur’an Gate of Shiraz
historical gate of Quran Gate is located at the entrance of Shiraz, city of secrets and beautiful legends. This historical gate welcomes all of travelers who come to Shiraz.
This gate was one of the most important entrances of Shiraz city. It was built in Allahu Akbar gorge, during the reign of Adud ad-Dawla who was ruler of Fars province. The reason behind the construction of Quran gate was religious, cultural and strategic.
It should be mentioned that throughout history, the city gates have had a special place in ancient Iran and other nations. Some examples are: Ishtar Gate in Babylon, the gates of the ancient cities of Iran during the Achaemenid era, Sassanid period and early Islam until present… Today, the entrances of cities are usually ornamented with sculptures or artworks which are the sign of culture and identity of that city.
Quran Gate was once one of the most important entrances of Shiraz. But now a new road is built beside it and Quran gate becomes a cultural symbol and an historical attraction, alongside the tomb of the great poet Khwaju Kermani .
Features and purpose of construction:
In fact, the Quran Gate was built for travelers and caravans to pass underneath the gate and stay away from possible dangers during the journey, such as bandits or disease. In other word, travelers were believed by passing underneath the gate, they receive the blessing of the Holly Book as they began their trip to or from Shiraz. This belief still exists among the Iranians.
This gate is known as the Quran Gate because there were two exquisite hand-written Qurans by Sultan Ibrahim Bin Shahrukh Gurekani which kept in a room on top of the gate. These Qurans, which are among the most exquisite Qurans of the Islamic world, were taken to the Pars Museum of Shiraz.
The materials used for construction of this gate were mortar and stone at the time of Daylamites and it was restored during the reign of Karim Khan Zand. This gate was destroyed and rebuilt many times. For example, it was destroyed once during the Qajar dynasty due to an earthquake and was restored by Mohammad Zaki Khan Nouri. This gate remained until 1936 but at the time of Reza Khan Pahlavi, traffics and passing large number of vehicles caused its destruction again that makes people angry. This gate was rebuilt again by a merchant named Igar known as Etemad-Al-Tojjar in 1949. He made its arch bigger and the gate had been used until 1986. Later, a new road was built next to it and Quran gate has an historical importance today.
The symbol of Quran Gate and the beliefs about it:
This gate, which is a world-famous tourist attraction, has a cultural and religious significance among the people of Shiraz and Iran. People believed that they receive blessing when they enter or exit Quran gate on the first day of lunar month. At the time of Zandieh, people believed that it guarantees their health on that month. Another belief was that when a traveler saw the gate from outside the city, he greeted the Qur’an and shrine of Shah Cheragh (brother of Imam Reza).
Architectural structure: According to writings and paintings of travelers in different historical periods, centuries ago, there was a span in the middle of the gate and two Qurans were kept on top of it. On both sides of the gate, there were two span for the guards. This structure can still be seen in photographs belonging to the Qajar period.
According to historical documents, there was a water storage next to the gate for caravans and travelers, that its water was supplied from Roknabad. Igar who was the famous businessman of Pahlavi period built this water storage by stone and cement.
The Quran Gate has a stepped shape that can be seen in the structure of ancient religious sites and tombs. This gate has three span. large one is in the middle and the others are on the sides. The span located in left side is the place of Igar’s grave who was rebuilt the gate the last time. the gate was ornamented by beautiful tile works and inscriptions which has doubled the beauty of the building with its new architectural structure.
Note: The oldest photograph was taken by Harold Weston, Orientalist photographer during the Qajar period.
In the past, Shiraz had six main gates, which were: Quran Gate, Isfahan Gate, Saadi Gate, Ghassab khane Gate, Kazerun Gate and Shah Dai Allah Gate. At present, just Quran gate is remained, but the people of Shiraz still call original locations of the gates by their old names.
Today Quran gate is part of a city park where Shiraz people relax and picnic which is a part of Shiraz culture. In the square next to the Quran Gate, there is a beautiful peacock made of flowers and plants and its surrounding, there are tomb of poet Khwaju Kermani and the Mountain of Allahu Akbar gorge.
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