:: Imam reza holy shrine:

The Imam Reza, the only one of the twelve Imams to be buried in Iran, died in A.H. 817 at Sanabad, as poison was suspected, the place of his burial was named Mashhad (the place of martyrdom) and soon began to attract pilgrims - now estimated at over one million per year. Much of the 9th century shrine over the Imam`s grave was destroyed in the next century. Rebuilt, damaged by Mongols in the 12th century and bombarded by Russians in the early 20th, the shrine has been embellished by most of Iran`s notable rulers. The dome, probably constructed in the early 14th century was redecorated by command of Shah Abbas I at the beginning of the 17th century, when the court goldsmith from Isfahan renovated the gildedcopper tiles. The site`s importance is such that non-Muslims cannot cross the sacred threshold; access to the shrine andits principles is for believers only.The New Court, Shrine of Imam Reza: This courtyard, to the south-east of the shrine, was constructed early in the Qajar period.

It is never empty of pilgrims, passing through Fath Ali Shah`s lavish ivan, the haram or tomb chamber is reached through a series of rooms and passages dazzling in the complexity of their decoration. Mirror work predominates, but chased gold and silver designs and inscription proliferate doors and are set into the marble faced walls. The Old Court, Shrine of Imam Reza Pilgrims gather for prayers inside the Old Court at Mashhad. From here, the nineteenth century glided portal added by Fath Ali Shah communicates to the Chamber of Felicity and the tomb of Imam Reza. Imam Reza (peace be upon him), the eighth Imam of the Shiite Muslims passed away in 818 A.D. in Sanabad village during the reign of Mamoon the Abbasid caliph. The Shiites believe that Imam Reza was poisoned and martyred on the order of the then Abbasid Caliph therefore his martyrdom venue was called Mashhad,(place of martyrdom).
 

The shrine of Imam Reza has been situated under the dome embraced by an array of porches from each side. The golden minarets which have been mounted on the Abbasi and southern porches, belong to the eras of Shah Tahmasb of the Safavid dynasty (1514 A.D.) and Nader Shah Afshar (1732 A.D.). Also the gold work on the portico during the time of Nader Shah of Afshar dynasty which is also known as Naderi porch has added to the grandeur and beauty of this complex.
The collection of the buildings in the Ghods-e-Razavi shrine complex includes- The holy shrine- The antique courtyard- The new courtyard- Gohar Shad mosque- Parizad school- Bala Sar school- Dodar school- The museum and library- The tomb of Sheik Bahaie- Darol Hefat- Darol Siadah- Towhid Khaneh- Allah Verdikhan dome- Hatam Khani dome- Darol Ziafah- Darol Salam- Darol Sorour- Mirza Jafar school- Mostashar school and- Zarin Sagha Khaneh.