Document Type : Original Article
Graphical Abstract
Highlights
The historical role of Qazvin in Islamic education: Since the fourth century AH, Qazvin has been one of the major centers for the production and dissemination of religious knowledge and played a significant role in training prominent scholars and jurists.
Emergence of the madrasa as an independent educational building: The madrasa developed as an autonomous architectural entity, separate from the mosque, in response to the educational and residential needs of students and the limitations of earlier instructional spaces.
Continued relationship between mosque and madrasa: Despite the architectural independence of madrasas, mosques did not entirely lose their educational function. This interaction led to the formation of the mosque–madrasa typology as a prominent model in Iranian Islamic architecture.
Peak of madrasa construction during the Safavid period and continuity in the Qajar era: The designation of Qazvin as the Safavid capital resulted in a major expansion of madrasa construction, a trend that continued into the Qajar period, from which most surviving examples date.
Absence of pre-Safavid physical remains: No architectural remains of madrasas prior to the Safavid period have survived in Qazvin, and knowledge of these early institutions relies primarily on historical texts and documentary sources.
Functional typology of Qazvin’s historic madrasas: The historic madrasas of Qazvin can be mainly classified into two functional types: madrasa and mosque–madrasa, distinguished by the degree of public access to their prayer spaces.
Spatial innovation in Qazvin’s mosque–madrasas: In most mosque–madrasas of Qazvin (with the exception of Peyghambarīyeh), student access and public access to the prayer space are clearly separated, effectively preventing functional interference.
Spatial independence of prayer spaces: In several Qazvin madrasas, the prayer hall or mosque is organized as an independent spatial unit and is perceived by the public as a neighborhood mosque, without requiring passage through the educational spaces.
Recurring spatial patterns: The historic madrasas of Qazvin exhibit identifiable and recurrent spatial organizational patterns, whose recognition contributes to a clearer understanding of the fundamental architectural principles of traditional Iranian madrasas.
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