Tomb of Saadi
The tomb in 2016
Religion
AffiliationIslam
Ecclesiastical or organisational statusMausoleum
StatusActive
Dedicated toSaadi
Location
LocationShiraz, Fars province
CountryIran
Tomb of Saadi is located in Iran
Tomb of Saadi
Location of the complex in Iran
Map
Geographic coordinates29°37′21″N 52°34′59″E / 29.62250°N 52.58306°E / 29.62250; 52.58306
Architecture
Architect(s)Mohsen Foroughi (1952)
TypeIslamic architecture
Completed
  • 13th century CE
  • 1187 AH (1773/1774 CE)
  • 1952 CE
Destroyed17th century (rebuilt)
Specifications
Dome(s)One
Site area10,000 m2 (110,000 sq ft)
MaterialsGranite; stone; marble
Official nameSaadi Mausoleum
TypeBuilt
Designated9 December 1975
Reference no.1110
Conservation organizationCultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization of Iran
[1]

The Tomb of Saadi (Persian: آرامگاه سعدی شیرازی)[a] is a tomb and mausoleum complex dedicated to the Persian poet Saadi, commonly known as Saadieh (Persian: سعدیه). The complex is located in the city of Shiraz, in the province of Fars, Iran.

The complex was added to the Iran National Heritage List on 9 December 1975, administered by the Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization of Iran.

History

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Saadi was buried at the end of his life at a khanqah at the current location. In the 13th century, a tomb was built for Saadi by Shams al-Din Juvayni, the vizir of Abaqa Khan. In the 17th century, this tomb was destroyed. During the reign of Karim Khan Zand, a mausoleum of two floors of brick and plaster, flanked by two rooms, was built.[2] The current building was constructed between 1950 and 1952[3] to a design by the architect Mohsen Foroughi and was inspired by the Chehel Sotoun with a fusion of old and new architectural elements. Around the tomb on the walls are seven verses of Saadi's poems.

The new building

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The new building was constructed in Persian style. It includes eight brown stone pillars at the front of the tomb. The main structure is made of white stones and tiles. The building of the tomb of Saadi Shirazi has a cubic shape from the outside, and from the inside, it is in the form of an octagon with walls of marble and an azure arch. The tomb of Saadi Shirazi has an area of approximately 257 square metres (2,770 sq ft). The main building of the tomb includes two terraces that are perpendicular to each other. The tomb of Saadi is located at the angle of these terraces, inside an octagonal building on top of which stands an amazing azure blue dome.[4]

Over the tomb, there is an arch made of turquoise tiles. The stones of the bases of the structure are black, and the pillars and the front part of the terrace are made of red granite stone. The facade of the tomb is made of travertine stone, and the interior is made of marble.[5]

Water features

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A fish pond lies on the left side of the tomb of Saadi Shirazi. It has an octagonal shape and an area of approximately 30.25 square metres (325.6 sq ft). At the front of the terrace, there is a pond where visitors often throw coins. Approxmiately 10 metres (33 ft) below the tomb of Saadi Shirazi, there is an aqueduct whose water contains sulphurous material and also quicksilver.[6]

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See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ Other variants include the Sadi Tomb, the Tomb of Sa'di-e-Shirazi, and the Mausoleum of Sa'di.

References

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  1. ^ "Tomb of Saadi". Visit Iran. 2025. Retrieved May 24, 2025.
  2. ^ Stanley, Henry Morton (2011). My Early Travels and Adventures in America and Asia. Cambridge University Press. p. 402. ISBN 9781108032988. Retrieved May 8, 2016.
  3. ^ Baker, Patricia L. (2014). Iran. Bradt Travel Guides. p. 182. ISBN 9781841624020. Retrieved May 8, 2016.
  4. ^ "SA'DI TOMB (SA'DIEH)". Iran Tourism and Touring Organization. n.d. Retrieved May 25, 2025.
  5. ^ The new building (July 14, 2021). "Tomb of Saadi Shirazi". TourInPersia.
  6. ^ Javadian, Azam (November 4, 2017). "Saadi's Tomb". Iran Watching.
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Media related to Mausoleum of Saadi Shirazi at Wikimedia Commons

  • "Sa'di Mausoleum". ArchNet.org. n.d. Retrieved May 24, 2025.
  • Baskins, Cristelle (2017). "Writing the Dead: Pietro della Valle and the Tombs of Shirazi Poets". Muqarnas. 34: 197–221.