Gonbad

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In traditional Persian architecture, a dome is referred to as a gonbad (گنبد).

The history of designing gonbads dates back to pre-Islamic Persia. The Parthians in particular were very keen in using such structures in their designs. The Sassanids inherited them and elevated their designs into full maturity.

A gonbad is often double layered, and can have many shapes, such as semi-spherical, partial spherical, onion shaped, paraboloid, polygonal conical, and circular conical.

In pre-Islamic times, the gonbad was a sign of imperial grandeur for the king. In Islamic times, the tradition continued, and the interiors were made to simulate the celestial dome, reminding the muslim of Man's place in the cosmos vis a vis God and creation.

Closeup of a gonbad revealing tile configuration.

A typical gonbad, the same one as seen in the left, seen from above.

Sample of a medieval design polygonal conical gonbad.

[edit] Further reading

For a philosophical discussion of the dome in traditional architecture of Persia, see "Sense of Unity" by Nader Ardalan and Laleh Bakhtiar, ISBN 1-871031-78-8