Takieh Moaven ol-Molk (Tekyeh Moaven al-molk) - Kermanshah, Iran (Persia)

Photo by ninara via Flickr / CC BY 2.0

It was built in Qajar dynasty and was the most famous one in Kermanshah. This national monument used to play a big role during the holy month of Muharram, to commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Hussain, a time when many religious plays were acted. Hussain Khan Moeen Al Raaya built at the end of 19th century. Less than a decade later, this magnificent building was completely demolished as a group of constitutionalists set it on fire. It took architects so many years to repair the structure after that. Finally, in 1940s, Mirza Hssan Khan Moaven Ol Molk, bought the mosque and started to repair it. A year later, he bought the surrounding lands, and started building Abbasieh and Zeinabieh in order to expand the mosque and welcome more people to come over to pray and participate in religious ceremonies. Hassan Khan died two years later and was buried in the Zeinabieh building.

Hussain Khan Moeen Al Raaya built at the end of 19th century. Less than a decade later, this magnificent building was completely demolished as a group of constitutionalists set it on fire. It took architects so many years to repair the structure after that. Finally, in 1940s, Mirza Hssan Khan Moaven Ol Molk, bought the mosque and started to repair it.

After his death, in order to maintain the place, locals decided to change the usage of Abbasieh to Islamic-studies school; it remained the same school for the next 30 years. In 1973, Moaven al Molk was officially registered as national monument. The place includes different sections including Hosseinieh with magnificent tiling, and notable variety of colors. The tiles narrate different stories from Quranic scenes to pre-Islamic motifs including Shahnâme epic stories. In this building, there are also poems describing the monument and the end date of its tiling.

The next section is Zeinabieh, the building in the middle which is mainly designed to accommodate women during the religious ceremony. Also in the bottom margin, several paintings of mythological and historical kings, done by a well-known Kermanshahi calligrapher is seen.

Abbasieh, has a large courtyard with double columned porch in the southern part. Its walls are decorated with polychrome tiles on which scenes from entering Yousef to Canaan, and the shrine of Ali and his son Hussein. Presently two cultural museums are located in Abbasieh, Anthropology Museum and the Museum of garments and ornaments of Kermanshah.

Tekieh Moaven ol-Molk is known for its remarkable and exceptional tiling. Images carved on the tiles, included scenes of battles of Mohammed. Imam Ali battles and Karbala, also images of ancient monarchs such as, Achaemenid King and images of Persepolis that is unique in its kind.