Mausoleum of Omar Khayyám

The Mausoleum of Omar Khayyám is a 20th-century memorial in Nishapur (Neyshabur), Razavi Khorasan province, Iran, built as the symbolic tomb of the 11th-century poet, mathematician and astronomer Omar Khayyám. The present structure dates from the early 1960s and is a noted example of modern Iranian memorial architecture.

Nishapur has long been associated with Omar Khayyám, and previous tombs or markers stood at or near the site for centuries. The current mausoleum was designed by Hooshang Seyhoun and completed in the early 1960s as a modern, symbolic monument incorporating traditional Persian motifs.

The mausoleum is located in Nishapur in Razavi Khorasan province in northeastern Iran, set within the urban fabric of the city and its historic precincts.

• Architect and date: The current modern mausoleum was designed by architect Hooshang Seyhoun and completed in the early 1960s as a symbolic, modernist memorial.
• Design and use: The site combines contemporary architecture with traditional motifs and is a focal point for cultural events in Nishapur.

What to See #

• Tomb chamber: The domed tomb chamber at the heart of the complex contains the cenotaph and inscribed stone markers that commemorate the poet.
• Gardens and terraces: Surrounding memorial gardens and terraces designed to complement the mausoleum's geometric form and provide space for reflection.
• Museum and displays: Small museum and display areas presenting manuscripts, biographical information and cultural context for Omar Khayyám's life and work.