Maragheh Observatory
Maragheh Observatory was built under the supervision of Khajeh Nasir al-Din Tusi during the Holakukhan period. This observatory is located west of Maragheh near the villages of Talib Khan and Haji Kurd in East Azarbaijan province.
This observatory is considered as one of the most important scientific centers and also a glorious point of the Islamic world in Ilkhanid period. This huge scientific and cultural building, in addition to the observatory, was a meeting place for scientists and scholars of that time This observatory, out of which only a few parts remain at present, was built in 1259.
The first observatory in Iran, built during the golden age of science in the Middle East, was built at a time when telescopes and modern astronomical equipment had not been developed. The astronomical instruments of the Maragheh Observatory were the result of the efforts of Iranian scientists who were considered unique in the whole world. Maragheh Observatory was not just for observing stars, it was a large scientific organization where most branches of knowledge were taught, and the most famous scientists of the time, including Qotb al-din Shirazi, were gathered there. At the observatory hill, a total of 17 architectural units have been obtained, one of which is related to the facilities after the destruction of the observatory and the rest are all units that together constitute the scientific complex of the Maragheh observatory.
The sections in this complex consist of the central tower of the observatory and related astronomical units; the interior of this cylindrical tower includes a corridor along with six rooms- four rectangular rooms and two other ageometric rooms to the north and south. Maragheh, which is one of the most important attractions of East Azerbaijan province, has been registered on the list of national monuments with the number 1675.
Maragheh city with about 515 historical monuments and identified hills is one of the 10 cities with rich historical and cultural context in the country, out of which about 300 historical monuments have been registered on the list of national monuments.
Tags: East Azarbaijan Province, maragheh, azarbaijan sharghi, maraghe