Amir Chakhmaq Complex
Nestled within Yazd, the renowned Amir Chakhmaq Square stands as an essential destination for any visitor. This iconic complex, dating back to the Timurid era, boasts a magnificent three-story structure adorned with two ornate minarets, an intricately designed mosque, a bustling bazaar, caravanserais, and an Ab Anbar for water storage.
History
Rooted in the Timurid Sharukh Shah era during the fifteenth century, the complex was overseen by Jalal ed-Din Amir Chakhmaq, the then-governor of Yazd. While originally situated adjacent to the city’s primary mosque, the Amir Chakhmaq Complex underwent renovation during the Safavid period. Notably, significant alterations occurred in the early twentieth century under Pahlavi’s rule, destroying certain sections to accommodate new streets.
Description
The Amir Chakhmaq Square and its accompanying monuments embody the rich heritage of Yazd. This complex encompasses a traditional bazaar, the Amir Chakhmaq mosque, a caravanserai, a bathhouse, a tekyeh (religious gathering place), and a cellar.
The captivating Amir Chakhmaq square boasts a remarkable three-story structure, utilized as a tekyeh for religious events since the Safavid era. Adorned with symmetrical arched alcoves, this facade is graced by towering minarets that come alive with enchanting illumination after dusk. Although only the ground floor is accessible, one minaret offers a staircase leading to a breathtaking panoramic view of the city. At sunset, as sunlight bathes the building in a radiant red-orange hue against the darkening sky, the Amir Chakhmaq Complex becomes an ideal photography spot. Furthermore, the square transforms into an inviting pedestrian haven at night, radiantly illuminated and awaiting exploration.
The Amir Chakhmaq tekyeh stands as a gathering place to commemorate the grandson of the Islamic prophet, Imam Hossein. Adjacent to it stands a 200-year-old Nakhl, a symbol of immortality and freedom associated with Imam Hossein. A substantial pool graced with fountains mirrors the city’s cultural reverence for water.
The historic Amir Chakhmaq mosque, constructed between 1418 and 1438, showcases intricate tilework and arches that distinguish it as one of Yazd’s most remarkable edifices. Boasting dual entrances, one from the square and another from an adjacent alley, the mosque hosts two worship halls designed to offer respite from both summer heat and winter cold. Restoration efforts during the Qajar era have preserved this architectural gem, which notably lacks a minaret.
The Amir Chakhmaq Complex also boasts an Ab-Anbar, a traditional water storage structure integral to desert regions like Yazd. Positioned on the northern side of the square, this public Ab-anbar features a dome and five windcatchers, a rarity in Yazd. Notably, another Ab-anbar within the complex has been transformed into the Yazd Water Museum.
Two caravanserais, situated on the northern and western sides of the square, further enrich the Amir Chakhmaq Complex’s historical tapestry.
Visiting Hours
The Amir Chakhmaq Complex welcomes visitors throughout the day due to its public nature. However, the nighttime ambiance accentuates its allure. For the exquisite Amir Chakhmaq mosque, visiting hours span from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and then from 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., providing ample opportunity to immerse oneself in the beauty of this historical masterpiece.
