Sheikh Shibli Tower

Sheikh Shibli Tower stands in the centre of Damavand, in Tehran Province, between the two old neighbourhoods of Qazi and Farameh, and is regarded as one of the most distinctive historical monuments of the city. A monument dating from the 4th and 5th centuries AH (Hijri lunar) and a work of the Seljuk period, it was built in the eastern part of the city on top of a hill overlooking Damavand. On 29 Khordad 1351 (Solar Hijri), Sheikh Shibli Tower was added to Iran's National Heritage list under registration number 920, and today it is known as one of Damavand's most important historical attractions. The structure was built in memory of Abu Bakr Dolaf ibn Jahdar Shibli, who at one time had been appointed emir of Damavand by the rulers of Tabaristan; historical accounts link his period of rule with the spread of justice and security in the city.

The most important features of Sheikh Shibli Tower are its octagonal architecture and delicate brick decoration. The building was originally built in a simple form, and the brickwork and Seljuk decoration were added in later periods. The tower is about 10 metres high, and its body has knot-pattern brickwork (gereh-chini) and espar panels with a variety of geometric designs. In total there are 30 espar panels in the building, of which 22 are decorated, while the eight panels beneath the dome are plain horizontal rectangles. The outer dome is octagonal, while the inner dome is spherical and skullcap-shaped, with its underside decorated with a pattern of concentric pointed arches. The building was also constructed in the style of a crypt (sardabeh), and after the entrance, a few steps lead down to the crypt space. Air holes for ventilation, semicircular brick columns and the variety of geometric designs on the different sides are other architectural features of the tower that add to its historical and artistic value.

Reaching Sheikh Shibli Tower from inside Damavand is easy. The route passes through Imam Khomeini Square, Imam Hossein Boulevard and Shibli Street; the access road is paved and suitable for cars, and the site has facilities such as a car park, restrooms, a prayer room and a guard building. Late spring and summer are good times to visit, and in the seasons with pleasant weather you can combine a visit to the tower with a stroll through the historic quarter and Damavand's other attractions. Because the building is historic, visitors should avoid touching or damaging the brick decoration, writing on the walls, or causing any damage to the site, and should help preserve the peace of the setting and the historical value of the monument.