A Survey on the Three Important Seljuk Minarets, Chehel Dokhtaran, Tarikhaneh and Saveh Jami Mosque

from philosophical , structure, form of architecture and ornaments point of view, Minarets are one of the key elements of Islamic architecture that need to be researched and contemplated in these four areas. In Iran, Building minarets as a mean of spiritual guidance started before Islam and reached to its peak in Seljuk period. This structure was first built near important routes, plains, inside cities or near the important mosques as a standalone structure. However, by passing time, this element became a part of mosques, schools and shrines and seems to be used as a place for calling people to prayer. The purpose of this study is investigating and analysis of three important minarets of Seljuk era comparatively. Because the design, construction and decorations of Seljuk minarets are one of the masterpieces of Iranian architecture, we investigate in three main minarets of this era called Damghan’s Tarikhane mosque, Isfahan’s Chehel Dokhtaran Minaret and Saveh’s Jami mosque. Besides, studying present work on these structures, this paper presents the plan and the design of decorative elements for the aforementioned Minarets. Finally these elements are compared against each other in a series of tables and a model for future research is presented.