Mausoleum of Imam Awn Al-Din

The mausoleum was built in 1248 by the Atabeg of Mosul, Badr al-Din Lu'lu. It was built over the tomb of Imam Awn al-Din, the son of the third Shia Imam, Hasan ibn Ali. The structure was restored twice, first in 1744 and then 1776.[1] In 1964, the exterior was covered with plaster, hiding the external decorations.[2]

The mausoleum was cube-shaped and entered on its North side.[3] It was topped by a recessed cube, which was a support for the octagonal base of the twelve-sided conical, pyramidal brick dome.[4] The mihrab was found in the southwest corner of the shrine and consists of two panels that join at the corner to form a niche.[5] The decorations on both the exterior and interior included extensive floral motifs and an inscription band again revealing the unnecessary name of Badr al-Din Lu'lu and its date of construction in 1248.[6] The wooden sarcophagus of Imam Awn al-Din ibn al-Hasan ibn Ali was carved with floral motifs on its exterior. It also holds an inscription to Badr al-Din Lu'lu.[7]

On the east of the tomb chamber was an iwan. In front of the iwan, there was a private cemetery reserved for Ottoman Pashas and their relatives.[8]

During the 1964 restoration, the lower part of the building was covered with a thick layer of plaster. The upper layer which held the brick decoration was covered with a thin layer of white plaster.[9]

The Mausoleum of Imam Awn al-Din was destroyed with explosives in July 2014 by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.[10][11][12]