{{short description|Minaret in Isfahan, Iran}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2025}} {{Infobox building | name = Raran minaret | native_name = {{lang|fa|منار راران}} | native_name_lang = fa | image = منار راران.jpg | image_size = 250 | image_alt = <!-- or |alt= --> | image_caption = The minaret in winter 2014<!-- or |caption= --> | pushpin_map = Iran | pushpin_map_alt = | pushpin_mark = | pushpin_label = | pushpin_relief = 1 | map_caption = Location of the minaret in Iran | pushpin_mapsize = 250 | coordinates = {{coord|32.676867|51.754733|region:IR_type:landmark|format=dms|display=inline,title}}<!-- {{coord|latitude|longitude|type:landmark|display=inline,title}} --> | former_names = | alternate_names = {{ubl|Rahrovan minaret|''Manar-i Rahrovan''}} | etymology = | status = Active lighthouse | cancelled = | topped_out = | building_type = Minaret | architectural_style = {{ubl|{{nowrap|Islamic architecture:}}|Razi}} | classification = | location = Raran village, Esfahan, Isfahan province | address = | location_city = <!-- or |location_town= --> | location_country = Iran | grid_name = | grid_position = | altitude = | current_tenants = | namesake = | years_built = | groundbreaking_date = | construction_start_date = | construction_stop_date = | topped_out_date = | completion_date = 1159 CE<!-- or |est_completion= --> | opened_date = | inauguration_date = | relocated_date = | renovation_date = | closing_date = | demolished_date = | cost = | ren_cost = | client = | owner = | landlord = <!-- or |management= or |operator= or |governing_body= --> | affiliation = | height = {{cvt|30|m}} | architectural = | tip = | antenna_spire = | roof = | top_floor = | observatory = | diameter = | circumference = | weight = | other_dimensions = | structural_system = | material = Bricks, mortar | size = | floor_count = | floor_area = | elevator_count = | grounds_area = | architect = | architecture_firm = | developer = | engineer = | structural_engineer = | services_engineer = | civil_engineer = | other_designers = | quantity_surveyor = | main_contractor = | awards = | designations = | known_for = | ren_architect = | ren_firm = | ren_engineer = | ren_str_engineer = | ren_serv_engineer = | ren_civ_engineer = | ren_oth_designers = | ren_qty_surveyor = | ren_contractor = | ren_awards = | parking = | public_transit = | website = <!-- {{URL|example.com}} --> | embed =
| embedded = {{Infobox historic site | embed = yes | designation1 = INHL | designation1_offname = Raran Minaret | designation1_type = Built | designation1_date = 7 December 1935 | designation1_number = 233 | designation1_free1name = Conservation organization | designation1_free1value = Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization of Iran }}<!-- for embedding other infobox templates --> | references = | footnotes = }}
The '''Raran minaret''', also known as the '''Rahrovan minaret''' ({{langx|fa|منار راران|Manar-i Rahrovan}}) and the '''Rarun minaret''',<ref>{{Cite web |title=Monar-e-Rahravan |url=http://www.isfahan.org.uk/rahrun/rahrun.html |access-date=2021-01-28 |website=www.isfahan.org.uk |archive-date=2007-10-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071028045436/http://www.isfahan.org.uk/rahrun/rahrun.html |url-status=live}}</ref> is a {{convert|30|m|ft|adj=mid|-high}} minaret, located in Raran village, {{convert|6|km}} northeast of Esfahan, in the province of Isfahan, Iran.
The minaret was added to the Iran National Heritage List on 7 December 1935, administered by the Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization of Iran.
== Overview == The minaret was completed in 1159 CE, during the Seljuq era and is believed to have served as a lighthouse.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.archnet.org/sites/5489 |title=Manar-i Rahrovan |work=ArchNet.org |date=n.d. |access-date=6 April 2025 }}</ref> The minaret has a rectangular base with four flanges at the corners. The diameter of the shaft decreases smoothly over the height of the minaret with no break until the top.<ref>{{cite web |author=Michailidis, Melanie |url=https://dome.mit.edu/handle/1721.3/50106 |title=Minaret at Rahravan |work=Dome |publisher=MIT Libraries |date=2003 |access-date=6 April 2025 }}</ref> The minaret has almost kept its original shape; however its inscriptions have been damaged severely. Its decorations are simple, featuring a stripe of rhombic shapes around the minaret, in which the names of Mohammad and Ali are repeated. On the top of the minaret, there is a window for muezzin and signal fire for orientation of caravans and passengers in the desert.<ref>{{cite book |title=Rāhnamā ye Safar be Ostān e Esfāhān |trans-title=Travel Guide for the Province Isfahan |publisher=Rouzane |isbn=964-334-218-2 |author=Yaghoubi, Hosseyn |editor=Beheshti, Arash |page=146 |language=Persian |year=2004}}</ref>
It is the fourth oldest minaret in Isfahan province after the Ali minaret, Sarban minaret and Ziyar minaret.
== See also == {{stack|{{portal|Architecture|Iran}}}} * Islam in Iran * List of historical structures in Isfahan province
== References == {{reflist}}
== External links == {{commons category-inline|Rahrovan Minaret}}
{{Minarets in Iran}}
Category:12th-century religious buildings and structures Category:Buildings and structures completed in 1159 Category:Buildings and structures on the Iran National Heritage List Category:Lighthouses in Iran Category:Minarets in Iran Category:Tourist attractions in Isfahan