Historical Capitals of the World

Maragheh

Country: Iran

Region: Middle East

Period: 1256-1265CE

Location: 37.389444°N, 46.237778°E

Description

Maragheh, located in northwestern Iran, was a prominent city during the Ilkhanate period in the 13th century. It served as the first capital of the Mongol Ilkhanate under Hülegü Khan, a grandson of Genghis Khan.

Modern Remains

Today, Maragheh contains ruins of the once-great observatory and several Ilkhanid-era tomb towers, including the Gonbad-e-Kabud. Though much of its former grandeur is gone, the city's historical significance is remembered through these landmarks, and archaeological work continues to uncover more of its Ilkhanate legacy.

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