One of Iran’s unique monuments and pilgrimage sites that attracts many Iranian and foreign tourists is the shrine of Shah Nematollah Vali in Kerman. This beautiful building with its magnificent architectural features and beautiful courtyards and old tall trees can be a place that will mesmerize any visitor for hours.
One of the favorable countrysides of Kerman province is Mahan city, which is located 35 kilometers southeast of Kerman city, on the slopes of Jopar and Polvar Mountains. This city is one of the most important tourist destinations in Kerman province, due to its numerous historical and the unique climatic conditions that are different from all the surrounding areas.
The shrine of Shah Nematollah Vali, located in the south of Kerman in the city of Mahan, is one of the spectacular attractions of this province .This amazing building dates back to the Safavid era.
Shah Nematollah Vali was the founder of the famous Nematollah dynasty and a Sufi poet and mystic in Iran from eighth and nineteenth century
This shrine, which today has an area of about 35000 square meters, is a historical monument from the Safavid period. The original building of this shrine was a foursquare room with a dome arch that was built in the year 840 AH. Ahmad Shah Decani from the Bahmanid dynasty was among the followers and disciples of Shah Nematollah Vali and paid for the construction of this shrine. Some parts of the mausoleum date back to the Timurid era, and the Qajar architectural signs and symbols are also found.
Shah Nematollah Vali’s tomb is a foursquare room with a dome roof covered with enchanting plaster works and painting. Also, the mosaic tiles in azure and turquoise colors on the interior of the tomb and the white and gold arabesque motifs on the exterior has given this part a special look and beauty. The tombstone for Shah Nematollah Vali is a marble stone.
Shah Nematollah used to spend a forty days and nights in this place worshiping, praying and meditating. It is perhaps the most fascinating and interesting place in this tomb. The colorful intricacies of the post-Timurid era, along with the intriguing paintings, have added to the beauty of this magical place.
It was built in the Safavid and Shah Abbas period and has a beautiful entrance made of steel and the name of the Twelve Imams (AS) is engraved on it.
This part was built in the Safavid period, but was rebuilt and completed during the time of Nasser al-Din Shah.
Atabaki courtyard was built by the donation funds of Ali Asghar Khan Atabak, Nasser al-Din Shah’s chancellor.
This part of the mausoleum of Shah Nematollah Vali was built by Mohammad Ismail Khan Nouri Vakil al-Molk, one of the noblemen of the Qajar period and the ruler of Kerman.
This is the second courtyard after entering the building and there are two tall and magnificent Goldasteh (Islamic finials in mosques) with 42 meters height. They were built in the time of Muhammad Shah Qajar.
In the lower part of the corridor to the courtyard of Husseiniyah you can find the museum. The museum holds valuable objects of Sufi culture such as adorned Kashcools with patterns and paintings associated with Dervishes and Sufis, carved Tabar zin (an old type of battle axe), scarves and fine beautiful Patte (an Iranian traditional needlework folk art( used for Dervishes clothing.