| Ribat of Sharaf | |
|---|---|
| رباط شرف | |
 Ribat of Sharaf in 2013 | |
| General information | |
| Type | Ribat, Caravanserai |
| Architectural style | Razi style, Iranian architecture |
| Location | Sarakhs, Khorasan-e Razavi Province, Iran,  |
| Year(s) built | 1114-15, 1154 |
| Grounds | 4,863 square metres (52,340 sq ft) |
| UNESCO World Heritage Site | |
| UNESCO World Heritage Site | |
| Part of | The Persian Caravanserai |
| Criteria | (ii)(iii) |
| Reference | 1668 |
| Inscription | 2023 (45th Session) |
The Ribat of Sharaf (Persian: رباط شرف, lit. 'Robat-i Sharaf or Robat-e Sharaf') is a historical ribat, or rest place for travellers, located in Razavi Khorasan province, Iran, between Merv and Nishapur. Built in the 12th century (first built 1114–15), the building looks like a fortified rectangle from the exterior. The courtyard and four-iwan floorplan is that of the traditional standard Iranian mosque.
Overview
In a desert area along the route between the cities of Marv and Nishapur lies the Ribat-i Sharaf, named after Sharaf al-Din ibn Tahir or Sharaf al-Din Qummi who is believed to be its patron. Sharaf al-Din served as the governor of Khorasan for forty years and as a vizier during the reign of Sultan Sanjar (1118–1157). Not long after its construction, the building suffered destruction at the hands of Bedouins. However, it was soon, in 1154 restored and remodeled by Turkan Khatun, the daughter of the Khan and the wife of Sultan Sanjar. The ribat preserves significant decorative elements and exquisite inscriptions that reflect the artistic characteristics of the period. It stands as an exceptional example of caravanserais and ribats from that era.
The ribat consists of two sections within a single architectural framework. The entrance is located on the southeast side through a pishtaq, leading to a long iwan that opens onto an open rectangular courtyard. Along the same axial alignment, a corridor connects this courtyard to another open space, this time square-shaped. Continuing along this straight path leads to the second section of the ribat, culminating in another iwan and a dome. This axial line, beginning from the pishtaq at the façade and ending at the dome, divides the ribat into two nearly symmetrical halves.
The first section of the building, which includes the rectangular courtyard, is surrounded on three sides: the southeast side housing the main entrance, the northeast aisle, and the southwest aisle. These three aisle are covered, with each featuring a central iwan. The northeast and southwest iwans share identical architectural compositions, each topped with a shallow dome. The main entrance iwan, however, is distinguished by the pishtaq at the entrance. The remaining covered areas, excluding the iwans, comprise small rooms intended for travelers and merchants. This section was primarily designated for visitors and itinerant merchants traveling along the Silk Road and the trade route on which this caravanserai is situated.
See also
References
- ^ Bloom, Jonathan; Blair, Sheila (2009-05-14). Grove Encyclopedia of Islamic Art & Architecture: Three-Volume Set. OUP USA. ISBN 978-0-19-530991-1.
- RFE/RL. "Iran's Persian Caravanserai Recognized As UNESCO World Heritage". RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty. Retrieved 2024-12-05.
- "Ribat-i Sharaf". Archnet. Retrieved 2020-06-18.
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36°15′59″N 60°39′20″E / 36.2664°N 60.6555°E / 36.2664; 60.6555
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