|
Soltaniyé
dome , the biggest of the kind in the world which
is made of brick, included on the UNESCO list of
World Heritage today. This decision was made in
today’s session of World Heritage Committee
meeting. Thus the dome became the seventh Iranian
site to be registered on the list of UNESCO World
Heritage.
“Winning the majority of votes after the
delivery of ICOMUS expert’s report on Soltaniyé
dossier, this ancient Iranian dome was placed on
the list of UNESCO World Heritage in today’s
session of the World Heritage Committee meeting,
which was dedicated to registration of nominated
ancient and archaeological sites and objects on
the list of World Heritage,” said Ahmad Jalali,
the Iranian Ambassador to UNESCO.
“Soltaniyé is the symbol of one the most
glorious periods of Iranian history,” added
Jalali, “and its registration on the world
heritage list confirmed its international
stance.”
Soltaniyé dome with an elevation exceeding 54
meters is one of most wonderful pieces of
architecture of “Ilkhanid” dynasty.
Construction of this ancient monument which is
located 30 kilometers from Zanjan, a province
capital in west of Iran, dates back to 700 years
ago. This dome with its octagonal base, exquisite
tile work, and magnificent architecture is one of
the most unique examples of Islamic architecture.
Soltaniyé is the most important example of
Ilkhanid architecture, which evidently influenced
the architecture of lots of other historical
constructions in Iran,” said Mohammad Beheshti,
the Head of Iran Cultural Heritage and Tourism
Organization Research Centre, “this dome is the
biggest in the world which is made of brick and
regarding its elevation it is the third highest of
the kind in the world.”
He indicated, “Registration of Iranian sites
shows the importance of the role of this country
in the international context.”
After the registration of Soltaniyé on the World
Heritage list, the president of World Heritage
Centre, Francesco Bandarin, and Muniro Bushenaki,
UNESCO cultural deputy congratulated the Iranian
delegation separately.
Prior to these meetings, on his trip to Iran last
February, Bushenaki had described the condition of
Soltaniyé dossier for registration as
“Favorable”.
He had asserted, “the Iranian part has submitted
a complete dossier on this site and it is very
unlikely that the registration process of Soltaniyé
would face any obstacle.”
Soltaniyé dome is the seventh Iranian site which
is registered in the list of World Heritage after
Naqsh’e Jahan square, Perspolis,
Chogha Zanbil Zigurat (a common form of multi-tier
temple in ancient Elam), Takht’e Soleyman, Pasargadae,
and Arg’e Bam (Bam citadel). Being recognized by
the World Heritage Committee, which follows up the
registration on UNESCO list of World Heritage,
will put the site under protection and
preservation from almost all countries worldwide.
The 29th annual meetings of World Heritage
Committee commenced last Sunday (July 10) in
Durban, South Africa, and will be in progress
until next Sunday (July 17). More than 700 experts
from approximately 180 countries attended these
meetings which are aimed to decide about the
registration of 42 historical, natural, and mixed
sites on the list of World Heritage. Moreover, the
aforementioned committee is responsible to study
the case and condition of Endangered World
Heritage during these meetings and decide about
them accordingly.
|
