Gonbad-e Qabus Tower

Gonbad-e Qabus Tower, located in the city of Gonbad-e Kavus in Golestan Province, is one of the most outstanding works of Iranian architecture and the tallest brick tower in the world. This historic tower was built in 397 AH (lunar Hijri) by order of Qabus ibn Wushmgir, ruler of the Ziyarid dynasty, and has since been regarded as a symbol of the art and engineering of the Islamic era. The tower is famous not only for its height of about 55 metres, which reaches 70 metres when the hill beneath it is included, but also for its unique architectural and geometric design. The body of the tower is cylindrical with ten triangular flanges, a feature that symbolises the advancement of mathematics and engineering in the Islamic world.

The architecture of the tower involves the careful use of red fired bricks, which have taken on a golden colour over time. The outer diameter at the base is about 17 metres, decreasing to 15.5 metres toward the top. It was built using sarooj mortar and special bricks with tapered, shoe-shaped tails. The plan on which the tower is designed is a ten-pointed star, which reflects the mastery of the engineers of that era in mathematics and symbolism. These features have made Gonbad-e Qabus Tower one of the masterpieces of ancient Iranian and Islamic architecture.

Over the course of history, Gonbad-e Qabus Tower has been damaged and restored many times, yet important parts of it still stand. The monument was registered on Iran's National Heritage list in 1310 SH (Solar Hijri) under number 86, and in later years it was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The area around the tower, known as the National Garden or Qabus Park, is surrounded by trees and attractive green space and has become a pleasant place for strolling and recreation. The best time to visit the tower is from autumn to spring, because summers in Gonbad-e Kavus are hot and humid, and the cooler weather of these seasons makes the visit more enjoyable. This historic tower is not only an architectural symbol but also an important part of Iran's cultural and historical identity, attracting many tourists every year.