Shams Tabrizi shrine in Khoy inscribed on Iran’s national heritage list

Urmia, IRNA – The resting place of Shams Tabrizi in the northwestern County of Khoy has been officially inscribed on Iran’s national heritage list ahead of its official opening, the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts has announced.

The cultural site, associated with Shams Tabrizi, the renowned mystic and spiritual mentor of Jalal al-Din Rumi (Mowlana Jalaloddin Balkhi), was registered as national heritage on October 3, 2026.

The registration was carried out under laws governing the registration of national heritage sites and the establishment and statutes of Iran’s Cultural Heritage Organization, dating to 1973, 1985 and 1988.

The shrine is set to officially open on October 7 after nearly two decades of studies, archaeological work and construction. Researchers identified the site through historical documents, while archaeological excavations examined and confirmed related evidence.

Built on about 7,000 square meters, the complex includes a domed prayer hall, library and research facilities. Its library contains 8,000 books and is intended to support research on Shams Tabrizi, Rumi, mysticism and the region’s cultural history.

The shrine is also expected to strengthen Khoy’s potential as a destination for cultural and mystical tourism. Located on Shams Tabrizi Boulevard in Khoy, West Azarbaijan Province, the site adds to the county’s historical and cultural attractions.