Brickwork of the Kharaghan

Mar 16

Written By Michael Pourzand

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The Kharaghan Towers are renowned for their intricate gerhchini (گره‌چینی) brickwork, in which interlocking geometric patterns transform the exterior surfaces into elaborate ornamentation. Stars, polygons, and Kufic inscriptions woven into the brick fabric demonstrate the Seljuk builders’ mastery of geometry, proportion, and craftsmanship, elevating brick construction into a refined architectural art form.

The exterior brickwork of the Kharaghan Towers (برج‌های خرقان) represents one of the most refined expressions of Seljuk decorative masonry. Their façades are articulated through intricate gerhchini (گره‌چینی) brickwork—carefully arranged, interlocking geometric compositions that transform the structural surface into a richly ornamented architectural skin. Rather than relying on applied decoration, the patterns are created through the precise placement and rotation of individual bricks, allowing structure and ornament to become inseparable.
The decorative program is composed of complex geometric motifs (نقوش هندسی), including stars, polygons, and interlaced forms that create rhythmic visual fields across the octagonal faces of the towers. These patterns demonstrate a sophisticated understanding of mathematical proportion and spatial organization. Integrated within this geometric fabric are Kufic inscriptions formed directly in brick, blending calligraphy with architectural structure and adding a layer of symbolic meaning to the façade.
Together, these elements illustrate the Seljuk builders’ remarkable mastery of geometry, proportion, and craftsmanship, elevating brick construction into a highly expressive artistic language that defines the architectural identity of the Kharaghan Towers.

Kharaghan

Michael Pourzand

The interior of the Kharaghan Towers

Towers of Kharaghan (برج‌های خرقان)