The architectural researchers of Iran consider the chartaqis to be not only one of Iran’s most important ancient structures but also mention them as mysterious structures. Because of all the research that has been done about these beautiful structures, the function of the chartaqis still needs to be fully known, and there are more or less unanswered questions about them. But there is no doubt that the essential role of the chartaqis was a place to perform religious ceremonies in the ancient times of Iran.
Chartaqi is a dome shaped structure that has four pillars built on four supports. The dome is built on these pillars: under the dome, four crescent-shaped arches can be seen without a wall. The body of the chartaqi is square shaped.
The history of the construction of Chartaqi in Iran
In the history of Iranian architecture, the first chartaqi built is linked to the Parthian period. As a guess work we can consider the rock in “Naqshe Rostam”, which dates back to the Achaemenid period and was a stone fire pit, to be a chartaqi. The oldest Parthian chartaqi was built in the fire temple of mount Khajeh, in the Sistan plain, Hamoon district. Archeological research has determined this chartaqi to be from the PLarthian era and the oldest one in Iran. Two very important chartaqis of the Parthian period should be mentioned here, that are fortunately still standing: one of them is the chartaqi called “Zahak fort”, built on top of a rock situated between Maragheh and Zanjan, with a height of 12 m. This structure had no religious or ritual function. Another is Bazehor in Robat Sefid between the two cities of Torbat Heydarieh and Neishabur in Khorasan province. These two chartaqis are very valuable and unique from the point of view of architecture.
But Iran’s major and most important chartaqis were built during the Sassanid period. The number of surviving chartaqis from that period is vast, and some have changed their use in other periods of Iran’s history. Two examples of this structure in the Sassanid period are the Chahartaqi complexes in Firoozabad, Fars, and the Bishabur Palace in Kazeroon. In the west of Iran, especially in the Ilam province, there are many old Sassanid chartaqis. In any case, researchers still have different views about the background and time of the construction of the first chartaqis in Iran and the formation of this widely used structure. It should also be said that the first time that the word “Chartaqhi” was used in ancient writings dates back to the fifth lunar century.
The spread of chartaqi structures in Iran
Chartaqi structures are visible everywhere in Iran. This form of architecture has been repeated later and in all historical periods of Iran in the construction of various structures with different functions, and therefore very important. Architectural researchers believe that there are still dozens of chartaqis scattered in Iran that still need to be identified, and finding them requires more searches. Especially because the shape of the chartaqi is hidden in the post-ancient structures of Iran.
Most of Iran’s chartaqi structures, as mentioned, go back to the Sasanian period; For example, the fire temple of Konarsiyah in the south of Firozabad, which has a chartaqi next to it and a corridor around it; The very valuable Niaser chartaqi near Kashan, which was built in the time of Ardeshir I of Sassanid and is a masterpiece of architectural art; A chartaqi in Takht-e Suleiman (fireplace of Azargoshasab), which is one of the most critical Sassanid chartaqis; Farashband in Fars province; Yazdakhast in Yazd province; Kheirabad Behbahan; Siahgol in Ilam province and other examples. These chartaqis were built more or less on high ground and were also a structure for observation.
Chartaqis in different periods
What were the uses of the old chartqis of Iran, and were they all ritual structures? Various views have been narrated. Various views have been recorded. Many of them have a place to light a fire and perform religious ceremonies. Some (especially those built or converted in the post-ancient periods of Iran) have been used as watch towers or guarding posts. In the ceremonial chartaqis worshipers gathered around the chartaqi in front of the holy fire.
The chartqis were not only built all over the Iranian plateau but their durability and use were so noteworthy that they were built in other countries to imitate Iranian architecture. Researchers believe that some of the chartqis structures of the Middle East are derived from the Iranian style of architecture.
So far, 40 chartqi structures have been identified throughout Iran. They are different in terms of structure, but in the construction of these structures, rubble, huge stones, and mortar have been used to connect the materials. In these structures, rocks were piled on each other with mortar used to fill the space between them. However, for construction of chartaqi, like the fire temple in firoozabad, amazing art has been used that demonstrates the advanced knowledge of Iranian architecture at that time. The chartaqi dome construction is also considered very artistic and another sign of the peak of ancient Iranian art.
Some of Iran’s Chartaqis
As mentioned above more than 40 examples of these ancient structures are scattered throughout Iran. Some of the most outstanding chartaqis of Iran are mentioned here below:
Gahvarehdid and Khorrambid in Fars province;
The city of Shiraz is full of historical sights and monuments of the past. This is why we know this city with its glorious history and captivating natural beauty. Though this structure has lost its beauty, but from the archeological point of view it is worth mentioning and investigating. However, this structure could be more attractive now, but from the architectural point of view, it is worth remembering and investigating.
Gahvarehdid is on the top of a mountain from where you can see the city’s western gate, right where the tomb of Kajuye Kermani, a famous poet from the 8th (Iranian calendar) century, is visible. The gate near Gahvarehbid faces the highway that runs from Shiraz to Isfahan. North of the chartaqi leads to Bemo National Park and south of it to Haftanan Boulevard. From the bottom of the mountain upto the mentioned chartaqi a stairway has been built for easy access.
Chartaqi Gahvarehdid was built in Shiraz during the reign of the Deylamian dynasty (Al Bouyeh). It was built by the order of Azd-ol-dolleh Deylami, on top of a mountain, between the years 338 and 372 (Iranian calendar). However, the architectural style of this structure was inspired by the Sasanian chartaqi.
Siahgel and Borjabad in Ilam province;
One of the most unique chartaqis (fire places) surviving from the Sassanid period is in the Ilam province. This chartaqi’s fire was kept burning from the Sassanid era upto Safavid era, and its sacred fire was extinguished in the 11th century (Iranian calendar). This chartaqi called Siahgel if of great value among archeological researchers.
The Siahgel chartaqi and fire temple is situation in Ivan district, Ilam province, at a 700 m distance from a river by the name of Kangir; an ancient and grand structure. Around this structure there is a small plain. Archeologists assume that in the past centuries, this plain was a place for houses and settlements of people who lived around this chartaqi. It could be that in the olden days, the land surrounding this chartaqi was endowed to this fire temple. Nearby, a village by the name of Sartang can be seen, and signs of settlement and people living there have remained at a distance not too far from Chahartaqi.
Nevis – Tafresh district
From Nevis chartaqi and its past glory only a structure remains with just some marks left of its previous beauty. However, in the same damaged design, one can still see what a stunning beauty it was in ancient times. This chartaqi’s fire continued burning for several post-ancient centuries and witnessed many people gathering around it to pray, and then it turned silent and suffered damage and destruction over the centuries. But it did not bend nor is it forgotten, but remains solid and standing.
Chartaqi Nevis is located between the two Central and Qom provinces. This structure can be seen in Khalajestan district, in the hills called Borzou. It is only 17 kilometers from the city of Tafresh and 100 kilometers from the city of Qom. In the western highlands of Nevis, a village with the same name (Nevis village) is visible. Because it is built at the height of Borzou, it is also known as Borzou chartaqi (or Borzou Fire Temple).
Gonbadkalayi and Charghapi in Kermanshah province;
The present area of Kermanshah province was one of the major and important areas of Iran during the Sassanid period. This can be proved by the remains of the numerous Sassanid works in this province. An example of it that has a global reputation is Taq-e Bostan. On the other hand, the proximity of Kermanshah to the Sassanid imperial center, the city of Tisfoon, and the strategic position of this city add to the ancient importance of Kermanshah. Therefore, it is not surprising that there are many remains of chartaqis in Kermanshah. One of those is the Gonbad Kalayeh chartaqi in Dalahoo district.
The Gonbad Kalayeh chartaqi of Dalahoo can be seen in Banzardeh village, Shalan village. Dalahoo was a well-known city in the distant historical past. Dalahoo was mentioned in the surviving documents from the Elamite kingdom, and it was called “Balahoteh.” During the Achaemenid and Sasanian periods, Dalahoo had more fame than the surrounding areas and cities.
Dalahoo is now one of the cities of Kermanshah province. It is a short distance from the province’s capital, the city of Kermanshah, and it is the neighbor of the cities of Sarepol Zahab, Gilan Gharb, and Islamabad. It has a beautiful ecosystem and fertile lands for cultivation, and the roaring waters of its rivers are famous. Karand-e Ghar city is the center of Dalahoo district. But the name Dalahoo is derived from two words, “dal” and “ahoo.” In the Kurdish language, Dal mean eagle, and ahoo (meaning deer) may have been abundant in the mountains around Dalahoo, in the past, which is why it was called Dalahoo.
Kooshk – Natanz district
In 1320 (Iranian calendar) the people of Natanz witnessed a mysterious discovery. A well was being dug in a residential house, a short distance from “Chahartaqi Kooshk” in Natanz city to exploit the underground water. Welldigger soon found out that this well leads to an underground passage. His and others’ efforts to find the end of the road did not reach anywhere. Another well was dug in the house’s yard, reaching a corridor with plaster walls. These corridors indicated an underground and secret way. No one knew what the story was and who created this way in what period of history! Whether the Kooshk chartaqi had a connection with this secret passage is a question to which they did not find an answer, so they decided to cover up the wells!
Kooshk chartaqi is built in a small town near Natanz, in Isfahan province, right in the middle of a garden, which is now surrounded by residential houses, making it more or less challenging to see this old structure.
Niasar – Kashan district
Niasar chartaqi is outstanding among the surviving structures from the Sassanid era. At least from this magnificent structure, we find out that the construction of domes in architecture of Iran goes back to the ancient Sassanid period, and the construction of Sartaqs was also one of the art and abilities of the architecture of that historical period.
Nearly 20 km west of Kashan city, Niasar chartaqi is visible. Therefore, from this point of view Niasar is a desirable site for tourists to enjoy the pleasant ecology and the heritage values of Niasar’s ancient structure. What era does this chartaqi belong to? In this regard researchers have difference of opinion. Some consider it a structure built in the last years of the Parthian Empire, and others believe it was made in the early years of the Sasanian rule. But the more accepted view is to consider Niasar’s chartaqis as a Sasanian structure.
Baze-hoor – Neyshapur district
To see Baze-e Hoor chartaqi, one should take the old Mashhad-Torbat Heidaryeh road to reach Robat Safid city and Bazehor village. This village is more than 70 kilometers away from the city of Mashhad and has been a junction for ancient roads that connect Khorasan, Sistan, and Kerman. Another geographical sign for this chartaqi is its mountains and passes, and the fortress known as Qaleh Dokhtar.
Baz-e Hoor was founded in Iran’s ancient times, but during which period? Two views have been given: some consider it to have been built in the Parthian era, and some say it was rebuilt in the Sasanian era. Others believe it was a chartaqi left from the Sassanid dynasty. If we consider the first assumption correct, Bazehor Chartaqi is one of the few remaining Parthian structures. Researchers have also found signs of the reconstruction of this chartaqi in the Seljuk period (6th century). This structure is of great value and importance, and more outstanding among the chartaqis of Iran.
Kheirabad – Behbahan district
Ancient Foruzak, now called Kheirabad, has a long history. One sign is the Dehvah hill, with its ancient history. On this hill, relics have been found belonging to 5000 years ago. From this alone we can trace the age of this part of our land. Chartaqi Kheirabad stands out in such a place. In the chain of articles regarding Iranian chartaqis a brief introduction to the chartaqis of our country will be given.
Kheirabad, in Gachsaran district, in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer Ahmad province. Chartaqi Kheirabad (Foruzak) was built during the Sassanid kingdom. There is a historic story about it; it says that it is one of the structures that Ardeshir Babkan built to commemorate the defeat of the 5th Parthian army in Ramhormoz plain and its surroundings. The victory of Ardeshir Babakan in 224 AD took place in Hormozgan Plain.
