Scholars Pavilion: A Tribute to Persian Science in Vienna

The Scholars Pavilion, also known as Scholars Chartagi, stands as a striking monument donated by the nation of Iran to the United Nations Office at Vienna. Inaugurated in June 2009, it commemorates Iran's peaceful advancements in science. The pavilion is located in the central Memorial Plaza of the Vienna International Centre (VIC). The monument's architecture draws heavily from the Persian Achaemenid style, featuring distinctive Persian columns and elements reminiscent of Persepolis and other Achaemenid ruins. The design incorporates the Chahartaq pavilion form, a staple in Iranian architecture from pre-Islamic times to the present. The structure consists of four pillars supporting a dome, adorned with ornamental Persian designs and detailed architectural carvings. Inside the pavilion, statues of four prominent Iranian medieval scholars are displayed: Omar Khayyam, Al-Biruni, Rhazes (also known as Zakariya Razi), and Avicenna (Ibn-e-Sina). These figures represent significant contributions to diverse fields of knowledge, including mathematics, astronomy, medicine, and philosophy. Each of the scientists looks to one corner of the world, which tells of the spread of their knowledge to the four corners of the world. The pavilion, made of marble, stands as a symbol of peace.