Soltaniyeh

The Soltanieh Dome, the tomb of Soltan Mohammad, erected between 1302 and 1312 AD, is considered the oldest double-shell dome built in Iran. The main structure was tremendously damaged in later years and it was reconstructed during Shah Abas rule. This world heritage site is now located in Soltanieh city, Zanjan Province, west of Iran. In André Godard’s view it is a normal, if spectacularly large dome, with a thin skin on top for the faience and is in no way a double dome.
In this structure, design characteristics and tectonic performance are combined to create an increasingly ornamental architectural structure. The estimated 200 ton dome stands 49 meters (161 ft) tall from its base, and is currently undergoing extensive renovation.