Restoration of Imam Ali Shrine’s Dome A Milestone in Preserving Historical Architecture

 IQNA – The re-gilding project of the dome of the holy shrine of Imam Ali (AS), in Najaf, Iraq, is an important milestone in preserving the architectural and historical heritage of this holy site.

This project began after the approval of the highest religious authority and after a thorough examination of all its technical details. It was also emphasized that there is a need to preserve, maintain, and return the original gold plates to their original position, thereby preserving the heritage identity of the dome.

The first comprehensive gilding of the dome and its two minarets dates back to the 12th century AH (18th century AD), when copper plates plated with pure gold replaced the blue Kashani tiles. The panels were decorated with Quranic verses and poetic inscriptions in Arabic, Persian and Turkish, and the date of completion is engraved on sections of the gold band that encircles the dome.

Over the decades, the dome has undergone several restoration projects, the most notable of which was in the late 1960s, when its upper part was re-gilded using over fifty kilograms of gold. However, the dome later underwent changes and distortions that affected some of its decorative features, in addition to significant damage resulting from the war events that occurred in Najaf in 1991.

After 2003, a comprehensive project was initiated to restore the original features that had previously been removed and to repair the historical blue enamel inlaid bands and panels. The re-gilding project was completed in two stages.

The first phase involved re-gilding the perimeter of the dome, which consisted of 2,525 plates arranged in 18 circular rows, using approximately 45 kilograms of pure gold. This phase was completed in 2014.

The second phase involved re-gilding the upper part of the dome and establishing specialized workshops to renovate the gold plates in accordance with the latest technical and engineering standards, with special equipment to ensure accuracy and safety during the execution.

One of the most important aspects of the project was the restoration of the dome’s golden crown, a symbolic element inspired by the heritage of Ahl-ul-Bayt (AS) and of religious significance. A replica of it was made using old photo archives and plated with pure gold, and was then installed in its original location in a formal and public ceremony in 2016.

The project’s overseers emphasize that the importance of re-gilding goes beyond aesthetics and helps preserve the historical and architectural features of the Imam Ali (AS) shrine, repairing cracks and damage caused by climatic factors and past events, thereby ensuring the sustainability of this religious monument for future generations.

The project culminated in the unveiling of the dome in its new form in late 2016; a scene that epitomized the fusion of engineering and spiritual significance, restoring the Imam Ali (AS) shrine to its former glory and becoming a distinctive landmark on the Najaf skyline.