Natanz is a city in Isfahan province. It is located in the foothills of the Karkas mountains. This beautiful city is home to many historical monuments. One of these works that has attracted tourists is Gonbad-e Baz of Natanz. Due to its unique features, this dome has been inscribed on the Iran national heritage list in 1967.
Gonbad-e Baz in Natanz was built on one of the peaks of the Karkas mountains overlooking the city. This building is located in the southwest of Natanz city and can be seen from a distance as a structure with several openings.
Access Routes to Natanz Gonbad-e Baz
There is a main and an alternative route to access this dome. The main trail is located in the northern part, which is a steep road located a short distance from Natanz City. This route is rather far from the mountain peak; we need to walk 1200 meters to cross it. This route doesn’t offer a proper view of the city of Natanz.
The alternative route to Gonbad-e Baz passes by a foothill area called Ghadamgah. This path has a gentle slope and stretches about 900 meters. Passing through the secondary route gives you a full view of Natanz City.
History of Gonbad-e Baz and Appellation Legends
The construction of the dome goes back to the History of Safavids and the reign of Shah Abbas I. With great difficulty, he arranged the construction of this building on the peak of the Karkas Mountains.
After the 1979 revolution, there were numerous efforts to renovate the building. Due to economic problems and difficulty moving construction materials, the renovation process was constantly postponed. Finally, in 2001, the Gonbad-e Baz of Natanz was renovated.
There is a fable about the reason it was named Gonbad-e Baz (Hawk). It is said that Shah Abbas visited areas around Isfahan and Kashan to hunt birds, such as Lanjan and Natanz. He used birds of prey like hawks for hunting.
A bird from the Lavand hawk species was one of the birds of prey that Shah Abbas favored considerably. In 1593 AD, on one of the journeys of Shah Abbas and on the way from Isfahan to Qazvin, his hawk dies. So, Shah Abbas decides to build a dome on top of the mountain in memory of this hawk (Baz) and bury the bird’s remains inside.
Architectural Features of Gonbad-e Baz of Natanz
Karkas Mountains, where the dome is built, stand about 3895 meters above sea level. The foundation of the dome is the mountain. It is in the shape of a circle and made of rubble stones. The diameter of its base is about 10 meters, while the height is 3 meters.
This dome is built with bricks and mortar and is in the shape of an octagon. Each side of the octagon is 3 meters and the diameter of the base is 1.8 meters. Gonbad Baz of Natanz was designed with 8 portals. The dimensions of each portal are 100*80 and the height is 180 cm.
There are vents above each door with a height of 90 cm. Each portal leads to an iwan (porch) on the outside. The iwan of this dome is about 2 meters long, 1 meter wide, and a height of 3 meters. The floors of the iwans are laid with bricks.
In the northwest corner of the dome, there is a portal with a dedicated staircase. This staircase has 11 spiral steps. There is also a staircase inside one of the dome’s pillars that connects the lower floors to the iwan above.
The dome building is highly resistant to earthquakes. In years that have passed since the construction of the building, the numerous earthquakes that have occurred have not been able to destroy this dome.
Visit This Attraction and Hike Natanz Mountains
The construction of the Gonbad-e Baz of Natanz on the mountain has been a challenging task considering the rough terrain. This dome is one of the most beautiful Natanz tourist attractions. When you enter Natanz City, Gonbad-e Baz is the first building that stands out on top of the mountain.
This dome in Natanz attracts the engagement of many tourists with its unique features. To see this landmark building up close, you need to hike a trail to reach the dome.
If you travel to Natanz on an Iran tour package or by yourself, do not miss visiting this dome. Destination Iran suggests that you read about more Natanz tourist attractions before traveling. It’s necessary to mention that it is not possible to reach this historical monument if you have serious health problems.
Where is Gonbad-e Baz of Natanz?
This dome is located on Karkas Mountain, near Natanz. Natanz City is one of the cities of Isfahan Province and is near Kashan City. You can see the exact location of this dome below:
Frequently Asked Questions About Gonbad-e Baz in Natanz
To find answers to your other questions, you can contact us through the comments section of this post. We will answer your questions as soon as possible.
In what period was the open dome of Natanz built?
This dome was built in the Safavid period by the order of Shah Abbas I.
What is the fable behind the Gonbad-e Baz of Natanz and the story of its construction?
It is said that Shah Abbas I used to travel to cities around Isfahan and Kashan to hunt birds. On one of these trips, his beloved hawk (Baz) dies. The king buries the remains of the bird on top of Karkas Mountains and orders a dome to be built in its memory.
Where is the trail to hike Karkas Mountain?
The Karkas Mountain or Shahin Peak is located along the Zagros Mountain range, stretching from northwest to southeast. The most common way to hike the Shahin Peak is from its southern trail.
A large part of this mountain is under environmental protection and a no-hunting zone. Due to its high altitude, the mountain peak is covered with snow most of the year.
