The mausoleum of Imam Reza in Mashhad is a building enjoying the most varied Iranian and Islamic architectural features and elements. Many buildings have been added to this complex in a course of 1200 years to make it a unique treasury of Iranian-Islamic architecture.

The oldest part is the holy sanctuary, or Boq’e-ye Haruni which dates from late second century AH. When Imam Reza was martyred, the holy body was buried in this mausoleum and the name was changed to Mashhad-or Reza. The oldest tiles of the shrine, and even of Iran, are known as Sanjari Tiles.

These tiles decorate the lower walls round the holy sanctuary. This shrine was repaired several times and some decorations were added in Samani, Diyalameh, and Qaznavi eras. But the firs dome of the shrine was erected in the reign of Sultan Sanjar the Seljuk. The dome is covered by tiles and is decorated with mirror-worked vaults. Sultan Muhammad Kharazmshah was another king who decorated the shrine with best quality tiles of the time and ordered two prayer niches to be built.

The minaret of the dome was built in Ghaznavi era.the shrine of Imam Reza is a round complex with the glittering golden dome in the center. King Tahmaseb the Safavid covered it with metal and gold. Later, king Abbas the Safavid covered the drum with gilded bricks. The Friday mosque of Gowhar Shad was built by order of Gowharshad Beigum. The drinking fountain inside the old courtyard, known as “Saqa Khaneh-ye Esmaeel Talaee” was added by King Nader.

The Azadi courtyard was added by King Fathali and was completed King Naseraddin. The Naqareh (kettledrum) Khaneh lies on top of the eastern portico. The buildings, houses, belongings and the personnel of this complex have been called as “Astan-e Qods-e Razavi” for the last two centuries.

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