Kharanaq Shaking Minaret

🕰️When was it built?

The minaret is attributed to the Seljuk period and is older than the mosque next to it. It is registered as a national monument under number 2440. Timber ties were built into its upper parts to hold the walls and pieces of the minaret together.

🏛️What was it built for?

The minaret also had a defensive role and served as a lookout and lighthouse. It could be seen from several kilometres away, and it stands on the north side of the mosque courtyard.

👀What you will see

• The body of the minaret is mud brick and has three storeys, linked by internal staircases.
• There are two separate staircases, one for going up and one for coming down, so people did not use the same route both ways.
• The spiral staircase starts about 70 centimetres wide and narrows to about 40 centimetres higher up.
• The timber ties in the upper part hold the walls together and are part of the minaret's structure.

🎒Good to know before you go

• Don't push the minaret or try to make it shake; this historic building is made of mud brick.
• If you go inside, watch out for the staircases getting narrower near the top.