First published: 22/03/19.

Zoë Sheng 4.0

Safi Al-Din Ensemble In Ardabil

Safi al-Din Ensemble in Ardabil (Inscribed)

Safi al-Din Ensemble in Ardabil by Zoë Sheng

My last Iranian WHS to visit and I almost missed it. The entrance to the site is not clear. I walked past it and reach what appeared on the map to be the tomb with a tiny sign pointing left to where I came from, but actually it looked more like it was pointing at some construction and I figured "oh no, another closed WHS in winter". So I walked into the next alley, nothing. Then I turned into the courtyard on the way back which is actually the archaeological museum and already closed. The young guard led me to the right place in the OTHER courtyard.

I was immediately taken by the nice garden and outer architecture but it doesn't quite prepare you for what you see inside. The tomb is marvelous yet the highlight is the next, bigger room, with your eye exploring each niche of the prayer rooms. Pictures are not allowed inside yet a friendly nod allowed me to snap the inscription certificate, but unlike other reviews I didn't have the encourage to pull out my camera when the staff is not looking. I spent half an hour in the area, more than most people probably do, making two trips through the rooms.

Surely one of the highlights in Iran.

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