Menar jonban , a masterpiece of Iranian engineering : the secret of strange shaking minarets

 The menar jonban or shaking minarets in Isfahan dialect is known as “ Menar jonban isfahan “ or “  Manar jonban” which in all dialects means shaking minarets.
Experience the magic of the Menar Jonban, a mysterious structure in Isfahan where the minarets seem to defy gravity. With a gentle push, the minarets sway, leaving visitors amazed and wondering about the engineering behind this ancient marvel.

 
Manarjanban , a symbol of creativity and innovation in Iranian architecture

This masterpiece is a symbol of creativity in Iranian art and architecture. The whole structure is simple and its functionality is like a tomb of a religious man but after years in safavid era they added two shaking minarets to the structure. we have other shaking minarets in other cities like kharaghan in Yazd province, but the shaking minarets of menar janban is unique not only about the simplicity and small size but also about the shaking of twin minarets together. If you shake one minaret the other minaret is shaking too. It is amazing and even now it is a secret for the world how it is possible. Some of the scientists explain this phenomenon with the resonance effect like in music. If you hand two weights from two same size rope or thread, if you move one of them like a pendulum, the other starts to shake two. So in shaking minarets if you shake one, the other starts to shake too. In case of a pendulum, if you change the size of the threads or change the weight of the pendulum the resonance never made and the other pendulum never shakes.it is interesting how in a long long time ago the architect knew to make this kind of twin interconnected minarets.

Introducing different parts of Monar Jonban

Each minaret is around 7.5m and the main building is around 10m so the whole structure is around 17.5m. The minarets are covered by beautiful tiles and the tomb stone is made from marble and some quranic verses are carved on it. One of the other interesting parts of the building is that the whole structure shakes when the minaret Is shaking itself. Some experts believe the mortar and paste which filled the space of brick rows and glued them together is a secret sponge paste which lets the structure move without destroying the whole building. The stairways which reach the minarets are too narrow and spiral, after reaching the minarets you can find two metal handles which let you use it to shake the minarets. It is a very hard job and it needs muscle energy enough to move the heavy minarets. Both Moving minarets are covered by beautiful blue tiles.

Comparison of menar jonban with other similar buildings in Iran and the world

Actually there are many Amazing buildings like monar jonban in the world but one of the aspects which makes it a Unique building is its tiles and ornaments on a very simple structure, but this Engineering marvel located in hot deserts of Iran and it is amazing because this structure was made nearly 700 years ago and the minarets are added in 16th century but at last the architect made a very solid structure which you cannot differentiate between two old and newer parts.
So next time you are visiting Isfahan try to visit this Engineering marvel yourself and enjoy visiting this Unique building among all Amazing buildings in Isfahan.It is worth visiting and is an interesting experience.