Visualization of Rokniyeh School in 14th and 15th Centuries AD

Rokniyeh School was one of the largest and most important schools of Yazd during 14th and 15th centuries built in 1324 AD by Seyyed-Rokn-al-Din Abul-Makaram Mohammad Qazi Hosseini-Yazdi. Few remnants of this school have been left behind, known as Seyyed-Rokn-al-Din Mausoleum. This study aims to determine the boundaries and area of the school and to visualize it.

In this study, with the aid of historical sources and aerial maps, as well as the map of old schools of the same era, the possible boundaries and area of the school was determined and illustrated by Adobe Illustrator Version 2020. Also, a model of the school was visualized. Additionally, details about the budget and function of the school’s clinic (Dar-al-Shefa) and pharmacy (Beit-al-Advieh) was investigated using its historical endowment and other resources.

Based on the length and width of the specified space in the west, east and north of Seyyed Rokn-al-Din mausoleum, the area of the school was estimated to be about 4000 to 5000 m2. A view of the school building and movement mechanism of the water clock including its possible water path were illustrated.

Rokniyeh School was the most important school in old Yazd, which had different parts, such as a library, mosque, clinic, guest house, monastery, water clock and observatory. Considering the current position of Yazd in higher education of Iran, it is suggested to establish a link between the history and its current position in higher education to inform students and academics about the historical background of higher education in Yazd.