Amir Chakhmaq Complex

The Amir Chakhmaq Complex is a 15th-century civic and religious ensemble in the centre of Yazd, Iran, built under the patronage of the Timurid-era governor Amir Jalal al-Din Chakhmaq. The complex is noted for its monumental three-tiered arcade and large public square.

The complex was commissioned in the 15th century by Amir Jalal al-Din Chakhmaq as a combined religious, civic and commercial centre for Yazd. Over subsequent centuries the complex has been repaired and modified, with the mosque, tekyeh and ancillary structures altered or restored at different times to maintain their use for worship and public ceremonies.

The complex sits in central Yazd, within the city’s historic quarter, a short walk from the Jameh Mosque and the old bazaar. Yazd is in central Iran; the site functions as a focal point of the city’s pedestrian circulation and historic fabric.

• Best time to visit: The façade and square are most striking after dusk when the arcade and alcoves are floodlit, creating a popular evening viewpoint.
• Proximity: Located within Yazd's historic urban fabric close to the Jameh Mosque and the city's traditional bazaar, making it easy to combine with other heritage sites.

What to See #

• Amir Chakhmaq Square: A large rectangular plaza fronted by the complex's monumental three-tiered façade with rows of recessed alcoves and arches; the square is the focal point for processions and public gatherings.
• Amir Chakhmaq Mosque: A mosque built as part of the complex during the same campaign as the façade; the building follows Persian mosque plans and forms the religious core of the site.
• Tekyeh, caravanserai and bath: A ceremonial mourning hall (tekyeh) and associated caravanserai and bath buildings that formed the civic and religious ensemble around the square; some elements have been restored or rebuilt in later periods.