Tehran – The Radkan Tower in Chenaran, Kolasan Razabi province not only represents the architectural arts of the period, but also the deep connections of the science, arts and everyday life of the people of the period, said the head of Chenaran Cultural Heritage, Hand ICRAFTS, Tourism Department.
In an interview with Isna, Mohammad Tahelian Mukhadam named the historic Radkan Tower one of Iran’s most important and valuable historical and cultural monuments, and said that the tower, built in the 7th century AH, has attracted attention from researchers, tourists and people interested in culture due to its unique architecture and special features.
Referring to the architectural features of the Radkan Tower, he said that the tower reaches 25 meters tall and has a cylindrical body and a cone-shaped dome. The exterior of the tower is designed with 12 sides up to 3 meters tall, with the top of which decorated with 36 cylinders.
He considered this special design as a factor that enhanced the visual beauty of the tower and created a distinctive identity for it, noting that inside the tower there is an octagonal space that demonstrated the accuracy and skill of the architects of that era.
Pointing to the architectural decoration of the tower, Tahelian Mukhadam said the tower contains beautiful brickwork and tiled decorations, with an inscription on the kufic script at the top of the pillar. The inscription is known as a relic of the Ilhanid period and shows the art and taste of the artists of the time, he added.
Taherian-Muqaddam emphasized the particular importance of the Radkan Tower, and based on historical documents, the tower is known as the work of famous astronomer and scientist Hakim Khajeh Nasir al-Din Toosi.
He added that the tower is designed to determine four seasons, leap times and the time for Nowruz to begin. By calculating sunlight and shadow, the tower is a practical tool for determining time, and in a way that demonstrates the advanced science and knowledge of the era, he pointed out.
Taherian-Muqaddam continued to mention the existence of Radkan Tower on its list of registered national monuments. “This is evidence of the importance of this building in Iran’s history and culture.”
He also spoke about the tourism aspects of Radkan Tower, adding: “The tower welcomes many tourists from the country every year. As a cultural and historical attraction, it not only gives tourists the opportunity to become familiar with Iran’s rich history and culture, but also contributes to the economic prosperity of Chenaran County.”
He said tourists will boost the local economy by visiting the tower and other historic monuments in the area and providing the basis for tourism development.
Regarding protecting and maintaining the Radkan Tower, he said: “It is extremely important to protect and maintain the tower, given its precious historical monument.”
He announced that the second phase of building the grounds of this historic monument began with the selection of contractors and allocation of 6 billion rials.
He recalled that the first phase of constructing the precincts of the Radkan Tower had been carried out. The strengthening and restoration of brick decorations has been carried out in recent years with a trust of 1 billion rials.
This year, the second phase of building the precincts of Radkan Tower began in August after approval of the design by the Technical Council of Holasan Province.
Taherian Moghadam said the operation of the grounds of the historic Radkan Tower building includes foundations, floors and brick pavement, the purpose of which is to improve the infrastructure of this historic attraction and attract more tourists.
He continued that these measures have been taken to increase accessibility and comfort for visitors and to preserve the cultural and historical value of the building. “Being careful about this tower and other historical monuments in the area can not only preserve our history and culture, but also become a model for future generations.”
He also noted the importance of maintaining the rights of the Treasury and identifying the property of the local government to generate revenue and sustainable development for Chenaran County, adding that by implementing restoration projects and improving tourism infrastructure, Radkan Tower will become one of the main tourist destinations in Kolasan Razavi Province.
Chenaran County is located 50 km from the sacred city of Mashhad. The Historic Tower of Radkan, also known as the Radkan Citadel, is a prominent historic landmark in Chenaran County.
The tower is thought to date back to the Ilhonid period (A.S. 1256-1353), and served a variety of purposes throughout history, including defensive fortresses, observation decks and possibly astronomy centres.
Built using traditional methods and local materials, the tower features a unique architectural style featuring sturdy mud brick walls, intricate geometric designs, and strategic arrangement of windows and openings for ventilation and light.
Today, the historic towers of Radkan stand as symbols of community pride, attracting wide visitors from far away to admire the beauty of its architecture, explore its historical significance and immerse themselves in the rich heritage of Chenaran County.
KD