Maydanak Tomb Tower

The Maydanak Tomb Tower, known among local people as the Tahmineh Tower, is one of the valuable historical monuments of Alborz Province. It stands in the village of Maydanak, at kilometer 60 of the Karaj–Chalus road, close to Gachsar. The monument lies within Asara District of Karaj County. Thanks to its location beside one of Iran's well-known mountain and tourist routes, it is a good destination for anyone interested in history and traditional architecture. The exact age of the Maydanak Tomb Tower is unknown, and there are different views about when it was built. Some sources consider it to date from the Timurid period, while others attribute its architectural features to the 7th and 8th centuries AH (Hijri lunar) and to the Seljuk or Mongol periods. The tower is a tomb attributed to one of the castle keepers or a member of the Padusbanid dynasty, a family that once ruled parts of the Ruyan region. The monument was registered on Iran's National Heritage List on 14 Farvardin 1357 (Solar Hijri) under registration number 1596. Its setting amid the mountain scenery of the Chalus road gives visitors the chance to enjoy the natural landscape of the area while also learning about part of Iran's historical and funerary architectural heritage.

The Maydanak Tomb Tower is a stone structure with an octagonal plan and a projecting iwan on its western side. The interior has a square plan, and the recesses and arches built into the walls create a geometric composition resembling a cross-shaped design. Among the architectural features of the tomb are the decorative karbandi (ribbed vaulting) and qatarbandi (tiered corbelled patterns) in the iwan and the burial chamber, which show the builders' skill in designing interior spaces and in gradually transitioning the geometric form of the building to the roof covering. The tower's dome was originally built as a double-shell, conical and ribbed structure, but its outer shell has been lost and only the lower part remains. Stone, gypsum plaster and a kind of sarooj mortar are among the materials used in its construction. In its overall form and geometric structure, the tower's architecture is comparable to the tradition of tomb towers of the 7th and 8th centuries AH (Hijri lunar). Together with the building's history, these features add to its value for those interested in Iranian architecture and the historical monuments of the region. A visit to the tower usually takes less than an hour, and according to the available information, entry to the site is free. Even so, visitors should keep the building's state of preservation in mind and avoid touching fragile parts, climbing on the walls, or doing anything that could damage the historic structure.

To reach the Maydanak Tomb Tower, take the Karaj–Chalus road and, at kilometer 60, head to the village of Maydanak. The building's closeness to the main road makes it easy to reach for travelers passing through Gachsar and on to northern Iran. Even so, it is best to choose a safe, permitted place to park before stopping, and to avoid stopping on a dangerous roadside. Spring and early autumn are good times to visit the monument and explore the Chalus road, thanks to the milder weather and the beauty of the mountain scenery. In spring the countryside along the route is usually greener, and in autumn the changing colors of the vegetation give the landscape a different look; however, weather and road conditions may affect your travel plans. Visitors can combine this short stop with other nearby attractions, such as the Asara Tulip Garden during its season or the Yakhmorad Ice Cave. Keeping the area clean, not leaving litter, avoiding damage to vegetation, and respecting the village setting and historical heritage are essential principles of responsible tourism in this area.