Avicenna's Dome

To the north of the city centre lies an area called Dardasht, formerly known as Babol Dasht, through which the Khiaban-e-Ibn Sina runs. This ancient 11th or 12th century dome traditionally marks the spot where the great Sheikh-al-Rais Ibn-e-Sina, or Avicenna, as we know him in the West, established his school of medicine under the patronage of the Kakouid ruler Alla-al-Dowleh Mohammad who had taken the town from its Deylamid rulers at the start of the 11th century. The building is in very great need of repair and no longer accessible. It is also very difficult to find. The small alleyway leading up to it runs north from Khiaban-e-Ibn Sina more or less opposite the small bazaar which runs from the southern side of the street towards the Masjed-e-Jomeh.

Ibn Sina was born in 980 in Kharmaitan, he taught himself medicine, and eventually mastered Aristotle's Metaphysics with the aid of Al-Farabi's arabic commentaries. His medical skills brought him to the attention of the Samanid Sultan of Bokhara, Nuh, who took him under his patronage. However he travelled progressively westwards ending up first as the Vizier of the Prince of Hamadan, and then, when the latter learned of his wish to go to Isfahan, as his prisoner. He eventually escaped, disguised as a Sufi, and took up his post with Ala Al-Daula. Baron Cabra de Vaux, writing in Hastings Encyclopaedia of Religion and Ethics, continues the story.

"There he received the honour and dignities he so well deserved; and there he enjoyed, what he appreciated far more than any honours, tranquillity. At night he held philosophical meetings over which the Amir [Al-Daula] himself sometimes presided. And meantimes he finished his greatest works." Hastings Encyclopaedia of Religion and Ethics, Vol 2, 1909 edition, pp.272-3.

Avicenna died while on a journey from Isfahan to Hamadan, in the company of his patron, at the age of 58 in 1036.

Right Arrow East to the shrine of Shahshahan

Down Arrow South through the bazaar to the tomb of Soltan Bakht Agha and the Minarets of Dardasht

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06-March-95