Takyeh

Image:Tekiyeh amir chaghmagh yazd.jpg|thumb|right|The medieval Amir [Chakhmaq Complex|Takyeh Mir Chakhmaq] in Yazd, Iran
In Iran, the word takyeh is mostly used as a synonym of husayniyya, although some takyehs also include a zaynabiyya or an abbasiyya, like the Takyeh Moaven-ol-Molk. Many takyehs are found in Iran, where there are takyehs in almost every city.

History

In Classical Persian, a takya in the religious sense was originally a place for Sufi gatherings; Sufis were called تکیه‌نشین takya-nishīn or تکیه‌دار. Following the Safavid [conversion of Iran to Shia Islam], existing takyas became used as husayniyyas, and the majority of takyehs built in Iran since Iran's conversion have been built to be used as husayniyyas, like the Takyeh Dowlat built by Naser al-Din Shah Qajar. Tehran alone is said to have had up to 50 takyehs under the Qajar dynasty.

Architecture

Takyehs throughout Iran are usually designed with observable elements of Persian architecture.

Usage

Takyehs usually host ta'ziyeh performances.

Notable takyehs