Iran At A Glance

Geography and Nature
ClimateIran
History
Historiography
Population and Ethnic Groups
Economy and Development
Religion and Culture
Language, Handwriting, Calendar and Flag
Government and Threefold Powers
Political and Administrative Divisions
Travel and Transportation
Visa and Tourism Regulations
Iranian Calendar
Money and System of Measurement
Post and Communication Services
Hotels, Guest-Houses and other Accommodation Facilities
Tourist Attractions
Pilgrimage Centers
Tourism Regions
Gilan, Mazandaran, and Golestan
Azarbaijan, Zanjan and Qazvin
Hamedan, Kermanshah, Kurdistan, and Ilam
Tehran, Ray & Qum
Markazi and Lorestan
Khorassan and Semnan
Isfahan and Bakhtiari
Fars and Boirahmad
Kerman and Yazd
Khuzistan
Hormozgan, Boushehr & Sistan and Balouchistan
Architecture
Rural Iran
Museums
Daily and Weekly Markets (Bazaars)
Handicrafts
Traditional and National Food
Airlines Offices in Iran
Embassies in Iran
The Persian Rugs
Iranian English Daily Newspapers
The National Museums in Iran
In the Name of Allah

Geography and Nature
Communication
Telephone : IDD service available.
Country code: 98.
Outgoing international code: 00.
Telex/telegram : Facilities are available at the Central Telegraph Office, Meydan Sepah, Tehran. There are also telex facilities at the major hotels.
Post : Post Offices are found throughout all cities, towns and villages.
Dress According to the Islamic and social beliefs in Iran, it is necessary for women to be modestly covered & wearing ahead scarf.
Duty Free The import of following goods into Iran is strictly prohibited: Alcohol, narcotics, guns and ammunitions, radio apparatus, fashion magazines and obscene publications, and filmed, recorded or printed material carrying views contrary to those held by the Islamic regulations. Each passenger leaving the country is permitted to take his/her own personal luggage as well as Persian handicrafts, Gelims and one carpet (not bigger than 3 sq meters) as long as they are not antiques. Export of all antiques such as gems, coins, handwritten manus-cripts is prohibited. To export musical instruments, a permit is required from the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance.
Government Legislative power is vested in the Islamic Consultative Assembly (Majlis), with 275 members. The chief executive is the President, and both are elected by universal adult suffrage for a four-year term. A twelve-member Council of Guardians ensures that legislation is in accordance with the constitution and Islamic precepts.
Language Persian (Farsi) is the most widely spoken language. Arabic is spoken in Khuzestan in the southwest, and Turkish in the northwest around Tabriz. English, French and (to a lesser extent) German are spoken by many businessmen and officials.
Location Middle East.
Area : 1,648,000 sq km (636,296 sq miles).
Population : 68,727,000 (1998 estimate).
Population Density : 35 persq km.
Capital : Tehran. Population : 8,042,584(1994)
Geography : Iran is located in the Middle East, bounded to the north by the CIS and the Caspian Sea, the east by Afghanistan and Pakistan, the south by the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, and the west by Iraq and Turkey. The center and east of the country is largely barren undulating desert, punctured by Qantas (irrigation canals and tree eases, but there are mountainous regions in the west along the Turkish and Iraqi borders and in the north where the Alburz Mountains rise steeply from a fertile belt around the Caspian Sea.
Money Currency :
Iranian Rials. Notes are in denominations of RL 10000, 5000, 2000, 1000, 500, 200 and 100. Coins are in denominations of 250, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5.All foreign currencies such as Deutsch Marks, Pound Sterling, US Dollars and Yens can be exchanged and credit cards (Mastercard & Visa) are also accepted.
Passport/Visa
Entry restrictions : Nationals of Israel will be refused entry under all circumstances.
Passports : Valid passport required by all.
Visas : Required by all except nationals of Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Saudi Arabia and Turkey (for a stay not exceeding 3 months). Requirements are subject to change at short notice, and you are advised to contact the appropriate Embassy or Consular Section.
Types of visa : Entry, Transit, Business, Tourist and Journalist. Fee varies according to nationality of applicant, type of' visa and the existing regulation between countries.
Note: A visa cannot be issued for passports which have a validity of less than 6 months. Exit permits required by all (often included with visa).
Validity : Entry visa: up to 3 months from date of authorization.
Transit visa : maximum of 10 days. Application to: Embassy or Consulate. For addresses, see entries. Application requirements: Two completed application forms, four passport - sized photos and visa fees.
Note: To acquire a tourist visa within 10 days, it would be easier to apply to local tour operators in Iran . Temporary residence: All foreigners wishing to stay for more than three months must obtain a residence permit.
Religion Predominantly Islamic; mostly Shi'ite, with a minority of Sunnis. Many Christians, Jews and Zoroastrians also live in Iran.
Covering an area of 1,648,000 square kilometers, the Islamic Republic of Iran is located in southwestern Asia. The Caspian Sea, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan and Armenia in the north; Afghanistan and Pakistan in the east; Turkey and Iraq in the west surround the country. On the south Iran borders the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman. Total terrestrial borders of the country are 6,032 km, and total water borders are 2,700 km.
Iran is situated at the heart of the Middle East and, as a bridge, links the Caspian Sea, the largest land-locked body of water in the world, to the Persian Gulf. It is also a crossroad between the East and the West. Thus, historically, Iran has been in the juncture of cultural, intellectual and political manifestations of both the East and the West, while preserving it's unique identity.
Unique landscapes such as limpid water springs, pomegranate orchards, pistacho gardens, rows of lombardy poplars, decampment of nomads in different seasons, stelliferous nights, rocky mountains, endless high and low lands, extinct snow-clad volcanoes, dense forests of the Alborz Mountain Range, and coastlines of the Caspian Sea, the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman are all eye-catching and memorable.
Iran's landscapes vary remarkably at different seasons. They are at times full of stone and sand, at times full of floodwater, sometimes covered by snow or by lush vegetation. Iranian artists have portrayed Iran's nature as a sign of diversity and charm in their different and diverse artistic works. Iranians also have traditionally valued Water as a symbol of life and development. Innumerable permanent streams can be seen flowing in meadows, gardens, orchards, homes, mosques and sacred places irrigating trees.
Nature and it's diversity in Iran are valuable parameters for development of the tourism industry. In total, it is estimated that 19 million hectares of terrestrial land are covered by orchards, gardens and farmlands; 10 million hectares are forests; and the remaining include barren lands, desert, and mountains.
Among significant characteristics of the vast land of Iran is the existence of high mountains as well as flat plains, desert areas, rivers and lakes contributing to unique geographical conditions in which, at any time of the year, and in each section of the country, one of the four seasons in visible. Thus, in winter, swimming and water skiing are possible in the warm waters of the Persian Gulf,and at the same time winter sports, like skiing are possible in the northern and western mountains of the country, while one can enjoy the pleasant spring weather along the shores of the Caspian Sea-at the same time of the year.
The high Alborz Mountains, sealing off the narrow Caspian strip, are covered with dense forests and lush vegetation which have to be crossed when traveling to northern Iran.
The coastline of the Persian Gulf in the south is rocky and mountainous in some areas and sandy and swampy in others; it is not as even as the northern shores of the country. The southern provinces of Iran, especially Khuzistan, which encompass some parts of vast Mesopotamia (between two rivers) plain, are very flat and level with low altitude. If one walks in the northern or western mountains of Iran, he/she will be able to see so many eye-catching views and towns, villages, orchards, gardens and meadows with and amazing lanscpe. In any case, Iran has many amazing lanscapes in very unexpected places.
The overall elevation of the plateau of Iran give many provinces and altitude of over 1,000 m., and this is an important geographic feature of this land. The magnificent Alborz Mountain Range in the north, the Zagross Mountain Range in the west and some other mountain chains, which extend from Khorassan to Baluchistan in the east, surrounded plateau of Iran which is mostly desert in the middle. The most important summits in Iran are; Damavand (5671 m.) northeast of Tehran; Sabalan (4880 m.) west of Ardebil; Sahand (3707 m.) in the south of Tabriz; Takht-e-Solayman (4820 m.) in the center of Mazandaran; Zardkooh (4550 m.) in Bakhtiari; Dena (4309 m.) north of Yasouj; and Taftan (3941 m.) south of Zahedan.
Complexity and diversity of geological and calcareous structures have contributed to the formation of so many caves in different provinces, especially in Azerbaijan, Kurdistan, and Hamedan, which are attractive to numerous tourists. Visiting some of these caves is highly recommended and they are amongst important tourism attractions.
The mountains of Iran belong to the folding of the Cenozoic Period and some of them, with volcanic origins, have brought about the means of formation of thermal springs. They have created suitable conditions for winters and mountain sports. The two well-known deserts of Iran, Dashe-e-Lout and Dasht-e-Kavir, covering and area of over 360000 square kilometers, are amongst the most interesting yet unknown places.
With more than 500 known mineral water and thermal springs used for different purposes, Iran has an important potential in this regard. Most of these springs are located in the Alborz Mountain Range, in Azarbaijan and in the Zagross Mountain and some are located close to Isfahan, Mashhad and Bandar Abbas. The thermal springs of Sarain (Ardebil), Larijan (at the slopes of Alborz), and Mahallat attract many people all arround the year for recreation and therapeutic purposes.
The coasts of the Caspian Sea, with pleasant sandy beaches, are among the most important tourist attractions in Iran. Moreover, the southern shores and islands of Iran have their own natural beauty and being used as tourism attractions especially in winter. The slopes of Alborz and Zagross Mountains with numerous springs, lakes and wetlands have their own beautiful and eye-catching landscapes.
Climate
Iran is situated in the global arid zone and the Plateau of Iran enjoy a relatively dry climate. Alborz and Zagross mountain chains trap the humidity and air currents of the Caspian Sea and the Mediterranean climate preventing them from penetration to the inner parts. Iran, due to its location between 25 and 40 degrees latitude as well as its mountains, Iran enjoys considerably variable climates.
The average annual temperature increases from the northwest to the southeast throughout the country and varies from 10oC in Azarbaijan to 25-30o C in the south and southeast in the same season. The northern and southern shores of Iran have diverse climatic conditions compared with the central and mountainous regions. For example, the average annual temperature of Bandar Abbas in southern Iran is 15.5o C in January.
Difference of average annual rainfall is also very high in different parts of the country varying from 2,000 mm. in Guilan to less than 100 mm. in the central parts of Iran. Average annual precipitation in Iran is about 275 mm.
In January and February, there are three climatic zones in Iran. Shores of the Caspian Sea have mild and relatively cold weather, central parts have typical winter weather, and southern parts enjoy moderate and pleasant weather. Most regions of Iran enjoy pleasant weather in the spring, especially in April. However, the weather in southern regions of Iran grows very hot unexpectedly as early as March.
The climatic conditions of the country become more diverse in the summer. Due to high humidity, the weather at the Caspian Sea coast is hot during the day, but it is pleasant at night. In the southern coastlines of Iran, days are very hot and nights are relatively warm with high humidity, which can be intolerable by non-natives. It is therefore recommended that tourists choose their travel destinations while taking the weather conditions into account. The best season for travelling to Iran is spring. However, in every season there are provinces which are more favorable than others from climatic point of view.
The cities of Shiraz, Isfahan, Mashhad, Tehran and Tabriz, which are the main tourism centers of Iran, enjoy different climates. Shiraz, with four months of warmth, ranks first and Tabriz, with only one month of warmth, ranks last. Azarbaijan, Kurdistan, Hamedan and Khorassan provinces are known as cool places in the summer.
In general, the entire northern part of the country, especially the northern slopes of Alborz Mountains, like Noor Valley, Kelardasht, Katalem, as well as provinces such as Azarbaijan and Khorassan and central regions of the Zagross Mountains - between Tooyserkan and Golpayegan - are very popular destinations for week-ends and holidays by domestic as well as foreign tourists in the summer. Tourists may use the southern regions of Iran 5-6 months of the year, especially in winters.
Tourists, who visit the southern coasts of Iran in winter, can enjoy very pleasant weather; while at the same time the cities of Isfahan and Fars provinces are rainy and snowy. In general, in the summer, the weather in most parts of the country is warm but not intolerable. Spring and autumn are a suitable time for touring all around the country. Hotels are usually booked up during national holidays for Nowrooz )Iranian New Year starting March 21).
History
The plateau of Iran is among the oldest civilization centers in the history of humanity and has an important place in archeological studies. The history of settlement in the Plateau of Iran, from the new Stone Age till the migration of Aryans to this region, is not yet very clear. But there is reliable evidence indicating that Iran has been inhabited since a very long time ago. Settlement centers have emerged close to water resources like springs, rivers, lakes or totally close to Alborz and Zagross mountains.
The most important centers of this kind are: Tappeh (hill) Sialk in Kashan, Tappeh Hesar in Damghan, Torang Tappeh in Gorgan, Tappeh Hekmataneh in Hamedan, Tappeh Hassanloo in Azerbaijan, Marlik Tappeh in Roodbar, and Susa (Shoosh) in Khuzistan. According to archeological excavations conducted in these civilization centers, some vestiges have been discovered, the antiquity of which dates back to the 5th millennium B.C.
The migration of Aryan tribes to the Plateau of Iran began in the 2th millennium B.C. Out of these tribes, the Parthians dwelled in Khorassan, the Medes in the west, and the Parsees resided in southern Iran. The Median Empire rose in Hekmataneh (Ekbatan), the present Hamedan. The Achaemenidae established the first great Persian Empire after defeating the Medes and conquest of their capital. The limits of the Achaemenian territory during the reign of Dariush I (522-485 BC.) extended from the plain of Sind River in the east to the borders of Greece in the west. Passargad and Persepolis are among the vestiges of this period and, as important historical sites, are visited by a significant number of foreign tourists anually.
After the decline of the Achaemenian dynasty, and the destruction of Persepolis by Alexander, his successors the Seleucids dominated over Iran for a short period of time. During this time the interaction between Iranian and Hellenic cultures occurred. Around the year 250 BC, the Parthians, who were an Aryan tribe as well as horse riders, advanced from Khorassan towards the west and south-west and founded their empire over Iran Plateau in Teesfoon. This empire survived only until the year 224 AAD. The Sassanides, after defeating the last Parthian king in 225 AD. founded a new empire which lasted until mid 7th century AD.
With respect to its political, social, and cultural characteristics, the ancient period of Iran (Persia) is one of the most magnificent epochs of Iranian history. Out of this era, so many cultural and historical monuments have remained in Persepolis, Passargad, Susa (Shoosh), Shooshtar, Hamedan Marvdasht (Nagkhs-e-Rostam), Tagh-e-Bostan, Sarvestan, and Nayshabour, which are worth seeing.
The influence of Islam in Iran began in the early 7th century AD after the decline of the Sassanid Empire. Since then, new era began in the history of Iran which caused fundamental changes in social, political, religious, governmental changes in social, political, religious, governmental, and general conditions of the country. Iranians, who were very unhappy with the existing social and economic inequalities in the time of the Sassanids, accepted Islam easily and contributed to its expansion and enrichment.
However, Iranians never covered up their opposition against dominance and the tyranny of the Omayyad and Abbasid Caliphs and founded many autonomous movements to confront them. In return, the Omayyad and the Abbasid Caliphs, tried to neutralize and suppress these movements, which were based on partisanship of the Holy Prophet of Islam family and establishment of a government on the basis of Imamat, by supporting non-Iranian forces.
Continuity of wars of attrition among local governors weakened the overall power of the country and favored conditions for invasion by stranger tribes of Central Asia, like the Seljuk Turks, Mongols, and Timurids. In the Safavid time, the second great Iranian Empire was founded, and the Shiite sect of Islam, disciples of which were seriously limited till then, was formalized. The dynamic nature of Shiism and its political and social commitments firmly safeguarded Iranian independence and national identity against Ottoman assaults, Thus, Iran once again became a new political and religious power.
With the decline of the Safavid, Afsharieh and later the Zandieh took the throne. After the Zandieh rule, the Qajars took power. At this time the influence of foreign powers such as Britain and Russia in the internal affairs of Iran significantly increased. Meanwhile, socal movements of Tobacco, Constitutional Revolution, Forest Uprising, and Shaykh Mohammed Khiabani's Revolt took place. In the Pahlavi period, Oil Industry Nationalization Movement incited the uprising of June 5th 1963, and other autonomous movements resulting in the Islamic Revolution under the leadership of Imam Khomeini in 1979.
Historiography
The history of Iran has many vicissitudes with many empires and dynasties having ruled over this country of which the most imoprtant are:
- Achaemenian 533-330 BC
- Seleucidian 330-247 BC
- Parthian 274BC.-224AD
- Sassanids 224-651AD
- Muslim Conquest 645AD
- Omayyad and Abbasid 749-932AD
- Saffarids 866-903AD
- Samanids 819-999AD
- Al Buwayhids 945-1055AD
- Ghaznavids 977-1186AD
- Seljukids 1038-1194 AD
- Kharazmshahian 1077-1231AD
- Mongol invasion of Iran 1220AD
- Ilkhanids 256-1353 AD
- Mozaffarids 1314-1393 AD
- Timurids 1370-1506 AD
- Turkamens 1380-1468 AD
- Safavids 1501-1732 AD
- Afsharids 1734-1796 AD
- Zandian 1750-1794 AD
- Qajar 1779-1924 AD
- Pahlavi 1924-1979 AD
- The Islamic Revolution 1979 AD
The historical battlefields of Iran. especially religious ones are attractions for pilgrims and tourists. For example, the battlefield against Mongols in Nayshabour, and Chaldaran battlefield against the Ottoman Empire may be of special interest. And finally Iran-Iraq battlefields in Khoramshahr, Bostan, and Howayzeh have special attractions for some tourists.
Population and Ethnic Groups
According to the latest census in 1996, the population of Iran was estimated to be a little more than 60 millions of which about 37 million were urban dwellers, 23 million villagers and a small percentage nomad tribes. The most populated cities are Tehran, Mashhad, Isfahan Tabriz, Shiraz, Qom, Ahwaz, Rasht, Orumiyeh, and Kermanshah.
More than half the population of the country is active. Total employed population of the country is reported at about 14.5 million, and about 39.5% of the total population are below 14 years of age. Thus, the population of Iran is one of youngest in the world. From an employment point of view, the age distribution of the employed population, 10 years of age and above, in different economic sectors is 23.04% in agriculture, 44.5% in services, and 30.7% in industry.
Out of the total population of the country, 6 years of age and above, 79.51% are literate. The rate of literacy in urban areas is 96.88%, and in rural areas is 91.37%. This ratio is 84.66% for men and 74.21% for women with a greater difference between sexes in rural areas. In urban areas this ratio is 89.56% and 81.7% and in rural areas is 76.74% and 62.41% for men and women, respectively.
In general, tourists are very interested in seeing the decampment of nomad tribes. The main reason for that is the fact that these nomad tribes have well safeguarded their old traditions and culture. The present life style of nomads in Iran is not so different from that of our predecessors. Therefore, visiting the nomad tribes and recognition of their life style, especially decampment between winter and summer settlements is very interesting and will help them to get acquainted with the life and culture of ancient Iranians.
Iran is situated on the way of Central and the East Asia to western countries. As a result different ethnic groups live in Iran. Among them are Farsis, Kurds, Lors, Baluchis, Bakhtiaris, Azari Turks, Taleshs, Turkmens, Ghashghais, and Arabs. Other smaller ethnic groups who live in Iran are Turkmen, who live in Turkmen Sahara and north of Khorassan. They are different from other Iranian ethnic groups in appearance, language, and culture. Ghashghais are of Turkish origin and live in the central part of Iran. Arab clans, on the other hand, mostly live in Khuzistan and are scattered along the coastline of the Persian Gulf. Today, the geographic distribution and composition of ethnic groups is more or less mixed due to development and interaction between different ethnic groups.
Some groups of colored people scattered in the southern provinces of Iran are the descendants of slave trade with Zanzibar in the past. The existing Indian minority in the south of Iran are also descendants of Indian merchants of the past.
Economy and Development
According to the Article 44 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic, the economy of Iran is composed of three sectors: private, state, and cooperative. Presently, only 2.5% of the country's economy is owned by cooperatives; the most predominant ownership is concentrated in state and private sectors.
Regarding the official figures, 50% of the country's Gross National Product (GNP) comes from governmental monopolies, which with the calculation of contribution of other governmental firms reaches 60%. In the last four decades, the main source of income of the country has been oil and gas exports. This amount has been about 64% of the country's total budget in 1995. In spite of severe fluctuations in the global oil price, the oil export still plays a very important role in the economy of the country and is the main source of income in foreign currency.
The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is composed of four sectors: agriculture, industry & mine, services and oil. During the past 18 years (1977-1995), the added value of agriculture sector has reached 3,740 billion Rls. With 130% increase on the basis of fixed prices of 1982. This sector, since the Islamic Revolution, has always been the impetus of Iran's economy.
On the contrary, for decreasing dependency on oil income and due to unstable global prices of oil, contribution of oil export to GDP of the country has decreased from 39.4% in 1979 to 18.1% in 1996. In this period, the contribution of agriculture sector incresaes from 14.7% to 26.9%, and the contribution of industry and mine sector increase from 20.8% to 23.7%.
After termination of the Iraqi-imposed war in 1988 and stabilization of the political and economical condition of the country, the added value in the economic sector began to grow.
Between the years 1989 and 1994, the average growth rate in different sectors increased to 5.7% in agriculture, 7.9% in industry and mine, and 6.7% in services. Since 1994, along with foreign currency shortage and its impacts on the national economy, industry and mine sector has become the essential means in accelerating economic growth of the country.
Since the victory of the Islamic Revolution, sub-sectors of industry and mine such as water, electricity, and natural gas have been the most thriving aspects of the country's economy.
In the services sector, the highest rate of growth belongs to transportation an communications. This phenomenon has brought about the condition in which the services sector, plays an important role in the economy of the country during last year with a relatively sound structure. During the period 1988-1994, the added value of transportation, warehousing and communication sectors has increased more than 97% all together.
In general, positive changes in national production and added value in recent years have shifted the national economy towards production, especially industrial production.
In 1994, for the first time since the early 1990s, the growth of added value in the industry and mine sector exceeded the average growth of GDP and even sector's growth. While the figures of these indices for GDP and services were 1.6% and 2.5% respectively, the mine and industry sector experienced an annual growth of 4.9% that increased to 5.7% in 1995. At the end of 1995, the contribution of different economic sectors in gross domestic product (GDP) was 26.9% in agriculture, 23.7% in mine and industry, 42.9% in services, and 18.1% in oil, on the basis of factors price (fixed prices of 1982).
Mazandaran Province :
Mazandaran Province is located between the latitudes 35-47 and 38-05 N. and longitudes 50-34 and 56-14 E. It is bounded on the north by the Caspian Sea --which itself shares border with Russia, Kazakistan, Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan --on the east by Khorasan on the south by Semnan Province and Tehran Province and on the west by Gilan province. On the North-west, Mazandaran Province has border with the Turkmenistan . Its area is 46,645 square kilometers.
According to the 1995 divisions, the province has 19 counties, 51 towns, 49 rural districts and 142 villages. The provincial counties are: Sari, Amol, Babol, Babolsar, Qaem Shahr, Behshahr, Mahmud Abad, Bandar-e-Torkaman, Ton-e-kabon, Ramsar, Savad Kuh, Ali Abad, Kordkuy, Gorgan, Gonbad Kavus, Minu Dasht, Noor, Now-Shahr and Neka. Mazandaran is less wet than Gilan (38 inches at Babol, 25 at Qaem-shahr) and was settled earlier, probably because the forests were less dense and the climate slightly less unhealthy.
In any case, whereas Gilan was still more of less uninhabited in the far-off days of the legends of the Book of Kings, Mazandaran was mentioned there and contained such early settlements as Sari, the ancient Sariya, the oldest provincial capital, and Amol, which in the 8th century became the capital of the first Moslem governors, both with origins lost in legend. There is also Babol more than 35,000 inhabitants), known as Barfurush until a short time ago, which was founded at the beginning of the 16th century on the ruins of the ancient city of Mamtir.
The first two have some ancient buildings but they are not particularly interesting. The monuments of Sari are of no great interest to the tourist passing through the town on his way to Gorgan. There are a few imamzadeh the largest of which, the Imamzadeh Abbas, is in the eastern part of the town. Sari is a busy town surrounded with prolific gardens where rice, cotton and sugar cane prosper. Firdowsi called it one of the loveliest cities in Persia. For the modern traveler, however, it holds little of interests.
Chalus city in Mazandaran province
Chalus is a small town only 5 km.
west of Noshahr, now virtually a suburb of its larger neighbor, is 200 km. to the north of Tehran in an altitude of 20 m. above sea level. Tehranis consider Chalus the nearest seaside resort providing them with forest and greenery as well.
Ramsar city in Mazandaran province
Ramsar is a green jewel of a city on the shore of Caspian Sea. Its boundaries go up north to Caspian, south to highlands of Zanjan province, west to Gilan province, and east to the city of Tonnekabun. The city has nearly 688 square kilometers area composed of two distinct sections: Mountainous and low valleys. The former section is a part of Alburz Mountain Range.
Mountains of these sections are covered by the extensive woods and green pastures. Its valleys are the lower slopes of Alburz Range, divided by different rivers extending to Caspian Sea. The most important of these rivers are Safa Rud, Chalek Rud, Nesar Rud, and Turk Rud. Ramsar mountains are close to the sea, hence the high humidity and excessive rainfall. For the past ten centuries Ramsar has been a prosperous center of population and seat of great houses. The oldest name of this area was Sakhtsar (Hardihood), changed in A.D. 1935 to its opposite.
Sari city in Mazandaran province
Sari, covering an area of 3923 square kilometers, is bordered by the Caspian Sea to the north, the Alburz Mountains to the south, Qa'imshahr to the west, and Behshahr to the east. Its distance from the Caspian Sea is 37 kilometers.Important rivers of Sari are the Tajan and Neka.
The Neka nourished the northeastern farms of the city. Sari is one of the Iranian cities that receives an abundance of rain, so much so that rain can be seen in all seasons.Its annual rainfall in some years exceeds 70 centimeter. Climates of Sari is rather humid most of the years which is the main factor contributing to its frost-free winters. The famous historical monuments of Sari are Mulla Majd al-Din tomb (early centuries of Islam), Immamzadeh Yahya Dome (15th century A.D.) Sultan Muhammad Reza Memorial Tomb (19th century A.D.), Sultan Zaynulabedin Tower (A.D. 1430), Immamzadeh Abbas Shrine (A.D. 1518), and the Jami Mosque (A.D. 765).
The coastal plains of the Caspian Sea, more than 680 kilometers long, along with mountainous slopes and beautiful towns and villages, kind and hospitable people, are amongst the important recreational regions of Iran. There are various and enough accommodation facilities as well as other necessary services providing suitable conditions for tourists.
There are in the coastal areas of the Caspian Sea, dense forests of different spacies, forest parks, sandy beaches, clean waters, and several large and small cities are mostly located alongside the coastal road and are centers of socio-economic activities of the region. From the border-town of Astara in the extreme northwest to the banks of the Atrak River in the southeast of the Caspian Sea. There are important cities and tourism centers with accomodation facilities like Astara, Talesh, Bandar Anzali, Rasht, Lahijan, Ramsar, Chaloos, Nowshahr, Babol, Amol, Sari, Behshahr, Gorgan, and Bonbad-Kavoos.
In addition to the recreational characteristics of the Caspian Sea coast, there are other worth seeing places. Among them, the existence of historical sites in the cities of Rasht, Fooman, Lahijan, Gorgan and Gonbad Kavoos may be pointed out. In the cities of the Caspian Sea coastline, different wooden, bamboo, and mat-like products are supplied in huge quantities. Vast fields of rice, tobacco, tea, oleaginous seeds, cotton, and citrus orchards along with beautiful wooden houses, have created a very interesting social life and livelihood, worth seeing for every tourist.
Azarbaijan, Zanjan and Qazvin
Ardebil Province :
Ardebil Province is located north-west of Iran , between latitudes 37-06' and 39-42' N. and longitudes 47-17' and 48-55 E. It is bounded on the north by Azerbaijan Republic, on the west by East Azarbaijan province , on the east by Gilan, and on the south by Zanjan province .
Its area is 18,451 square kilometers. According to the latest divisions, Ardebil Province has 6 counties-- Ardabil, Bileh Savar, Pars Abad, Khalkhal, Garmi and Meshkin Shahr --17 rural districts and 62 villages. The provincial center is Ardabil.
East Azarbaijan Province :
This province is called after Aturpat the Governor (the one whom fire guards him ) , he declared his independence during Alexander the Great's attack to Iran (328 B.C.) so he ruled over this land (small Medes) in southwest of the country which became Iran later. The history of Azerbayejan began from the independence of Aturpat and during 23 centuries. has passed through different political stages, and whenever a powerful government ruled over the central part, Azerbayejan became dependent on that government. Azarbayejan-e-Sharqi Province with an area of 67,101 sq. Kms. and a population of 4,726,648(1992), is counted as one of the most important provinces in the country from commercial , industrial and agricultural points of view.
About Arg-e Alishah in Tabriz
Masjid-i Ali shah or (Arg-i-Ali Shah or citadel) is the impressive remainder of a great and imposing building in Tabriz.
It belongs to the 8th century A.H. (14th century A.D.) when it was built by Taj al-Din Ali Shah of Tabriz, the famous minister of the Mogul Ilkhan, Ghazan Khan.
The great structure has gradually fallen into ruins and what remains of it today consists only of parts of its strong and thick walls, the rest having completely disappeared.
The construction of Arg must have taken place between the Hijrah years 716 and 736 (1316 & 1335 A.D.).
Citadel of Tabriz (also called Masjed-e Alishah and Arg-e Tabriz) in Imam Khomaini Ave., is the impressive remainder of a great and imposing building in the town.
The Arg, a huge and crumbing brick citadel, is a notable landmark that was built in the early 14th century on the site of a massive mosque which collapsed over 500 years ago, and which must have been one of the largest ever constructed.
But inside the Citadel there is nothing except two arches and an indication of the position of the mihrab; All shah`s court has been covered with ignoble buildings, the sanctuary walls have been rebuilt and propped up, and it is hard to believe that any part of this place was ever a mosque.
In earlier times criminals would be hurled from the peak of the citadel into a ditch below, and it is said that one woman sentenced to this end was saved from death by the parachute-like effect of her chador.
About Azarbaijan Museum in Tabriz
Azarbaijan Museum, constructed in 1957 and inaugurated in 1962, is on Imam Khomaini Ave (next to the Blue Mosque). With an area of 3000 square meters, it consists of the following three main sections:
A) Ethnological Section, representing costumes and characteristics of various tribes and people of Iran;
B) Archaeological Section, exhibiting objects dating back to the fourth millennium BC. Here one can see coins, weapons, decorative objects, domestic utensils and tile works.
These objects were excavated in Mushlan, Hassanlu, Qara Tappeh, Khosrow Shah, and Marlik.
C) History of Constitutional Revolution Section, containing photographs and documents of interest from the Constitutional Revolution of Iran.
Visiting Hours: Everyday 07:30 am-14: 30 PM. Tel: (0411) 66343, 65298
About Bazaar-e Tabriz in East Azarbaijan province
Strolling in the center of Tabriz, particularly Motahari Avenue, one is remained very forcibly that that it is a commercial city: one cannot miss its very large and 15th-century covered bazaar occupying an area of one square kilometer.
It is already much diminished in its variety of goods, but still a great place for getting hopelessly lost amid its dusty architectural splendors. Its architectural style, numerous caravansaries, mosques, and schools have added further beauty and glory to this complex. Exact information on the history and origin of the bazaar is not available; however, historical buildings such as the Jam`e Mosque, Talebieh School, and Sadeqieh School indicate that the complex is one of the oldest structures of the City.
The present structure of bazaar dates back to the closing years of the Zand dynasty (1750- 1779 AD). While seeing the real bazaar, the visitor will understand with the amusement of recognition the shocked tone of the Moor, that indefatigable traveler Ibn Battuta, who visited Tabriz in 1334: I passed through the jewelers` bazaar, and my eyes were dazzled by the varieties of precious stones that I beheld. They were displayed by beautiful slaves wearing rich garments with a waist-sash of silk, who stood in front of the merchants, exhibiting the jewels to the Turks` wives, who bought them in large quantities to outdo each other.
A riot broke out among them-may Allah preserve us from such a din! We went on to the ambergris market, and witnessed the same rowdiness, if anything even worse. The complex has high brick domes and arches. It includes several small bazaars, or bazaarches, each for specific guild and craft. Carpet making is the main trade, but Tabriz is also renowned for its silverware and jewelry. The spice bazaar, one of the most pungent and impressive in Iran, is an excellent place for picking up henna. Look out also for the traditional Azari hats resembling those worn by the gypsies of Western Europe.
About Blue Mosque in East Azarbaijan province
Blue mosque (or Masjed-e Kabud) on the north side of Imam Khomaini Avenue, is a 15 th-century destroyed by one of Tabriz`s recurrent earthquakes. Despite showing a sorry ruin, it was recently restored with the utmost skill. Because of the blue tiles used in the decoration of both interior and exterior of the mosque, it has become to be known as the Turquoise of Islam.
What remains of the mosque is a witness to its earlier grandeur and splendor. Completed in 1465 by Nimatullah ibn Mohammad Bavvab, architect of Prince Jahan Shah Torkman Salimi (of the Qara Qoyunlu rulers) even today its Timurid tile work (main entrance) with a blue-on-white inscription band of mosaic tile in Riqa` calligraphy is of a magnificence rivaling that of the Sanctuary of Mashhad, as well as a remarkable aspect of the new techniques, designs and wider range of colors used here.
The entrance portal with its two minarets appears to have been connected with the main prayer hall (Shabesatn) under the largest cupola of the mosque, by means of vaulted corridor. On both sides along the corridor, there stand the remains of the chambers with vaulted roofs. The walls of the mosque have been riveted with marble slabs and decorated with superb mosaic tiles. Some of the blue mosaics in the mosque`s portal are heavily damaged and half missing. The mosque is now almost permanently closed, but renovation work and eventual reopening seem inevitable.
About Golestan Garden in East Azarbaijan province
Also called the National Park, this garden in Honarestan Square is one of the main recreation centers of the city and covers an area of 53,000 square meters.
It was built in place of an old cemetery some 60 years ago and has many huge pools surrounded by green and trees.
About Bagh-e Melli or EL Goli in East Azarbaijan province
Before you leave Tabriz, do not miss EL Goli or the National Park (former Shah Goli, il goli), a pleasant hillside garden and park around an artificial lake to the area of 54,675 square meters in the style of the much smaller Bagh-e Takht north of Shiraz or the Qasr-e Qajar north of Tehran. EL Goli, only 4 km south of downstream Tabriz, is so lovely a place that it deserves an illustration.
It is a popular weekend resort for the locals. A hill in the eastern side of the park leads down to the pool with steps, and a fountain from top of the hill flows down to the pool. In the center of the pool there is a grand hexagonal building. The pool itself is said, have been built during the reign of Aq Qoyunlu kings. However, it was extended by the Safavids. During the rule of Qahraman Miraza, son of Abba Mirza of Qajar dynasty, it was fundamentally repaired. Recently a big park has been built on the Airport Road, which attracts many visitors.
About Poets Mausoleum in East Azarbaijan province
Known as the shoara Cemetery, the mausoleum is the resting place of more than fifty famous Iranian poets, mystics, scientists, and theologians in Seqat ol-Eslam Avenue. Bodies of Assadi Tussi, Khanju Shervani, Zahir-e Faryabi, Qatran Tabrizi, Mohammad shirin Maqrebi, Homan Tabrizi, Salman savaji, Falaki Shervani, Qazi Beizavi, and the celebrated contemporary poet of Tabriz, the late Mohammad Hossein shahryar are buried he
About Constitutional House in East Azarbaijan province
The edifice is located next to the Tabriz grand bazaar, On Motahari Ave. During the years which led to the constitutional Revolution and afterwards, the house was used as the gathering place of the leaders, activists, and the sympathizers of the movement, among them Sattar Khan, Baqer Khan, Seqat ol-Eslam and Haji Mirza Aqa Farshi.
Haj Vali Memar-e Tabrizi constructed the two-story building in 1868. It has numerous rooms and halls. The most beautiful part of the house is a skylight and a corridor decorated with colorful glasses and mirrors.
West Azarbaijan Province :
This Province is located in north west of Iran and has borders with Iraq, Turkey and the former U.S.S.R. The largest lake in Iran is Orumiyeh (formerly Rezaiyeh) which has divided Azarbayejan into two eastern and western parts. This lake is protected as a national park and is the most important residence of immigrant birds and enjoys an unparalleled beauty and variety in Asia.
By the arrival of Turk tribes to Azarbayejan especially from the Saljuq period, Turkish dialect became habitual in this area as the colloquial language. Western Azarbayejan (Gharbi) Province with an area of 37,588 sq. Kms. and a population of 2,329,315(1992), is counted as one of the most important provinces in the country from agriculture and economic point of view.
About Ghara Church in West Azarbaijan province
This church, which is the graveyard of Saint Thaddaeus, was built during the 8th centery AD in Chaldoran village (near Maku) at the foot of a hill. Black and white stones were applied in the construction of this church, but it was restored during the 13th century AD after it was destroyed as a result of an earthquake. The martydom anniversary of Saint Thaddaeus, is a day when special rituals are performed in the church and this place is one of the most important places of worship for the Iranian Armenians.
The dome of the church resembles a pyramid with 12 buttresses and the eastern exterior has been decorated with black stone and that is one reason why the church is called Ghara Kelisa, meaning black church. In the eastern and ancient side of the church which belongs to the 10th centery, there is a courtyard and preaching hall on the entrance of which an inscription in Armenian presents some details about the main building and other inscriptions indicate that the building of the church was repaired in 1814 AD on the order of crown prince Abbas Mirza Qajar. In various interiors and exteriors of the church there are relief exhibits which demonstrate religious meetings, the picture of the saints and the scenes of the historical tales of the holy book along with numerous decorative and ornamental designs, all with great worth and value from the artistic and archaeological point of view.
About Urumieh Lake in West Azarbaijan province
The largest inland water body in Iran, Lake Urumiyeh 20 kilometer to the east of the town, with an area of 5,000 square kilometers and an average depth of 5 meters, is so full of salt (though less so than the Dead Sea) that it cannot support any animal or vegetable life. However, because of containing natural salts and mud, the same water is used by patients who suffer from dermal and rheumatic troubles.
At Golman Khaneh harbor, there are coastal beaches ready to welcome the travelers. It is almost 140 kilometers long and 40 kilometers wide; and there are several uninhabited but environmentally protected beautiful islands in the southern parts, where wild beasts and animals live. Kabudan (formerly Shahi), occasionally a peninsula when a strip of mud dries long enough to connect it to the shore, is the second longest island of the lake, after the inhabited Islami Island. Its surface area is 3170 hectare; 12 kilometers in length and 25 kilometers in width, it has an altitude of 1275 meters. A large number of birds such as flamingos, pelicans, wild geese, and gulls are living on and around the island.
Hunting is prohibited here and entrance therein is subject to authorization given by the Environment Protection Department of the Province. Apart from a road under construction across the lake, there are some boat facilities for passengers between the Eastern and Western Azarbaijan as well. The Kabudan Island is the place where Hulagu Khan was buried together with his riches. Kabudan is the prototype of the Treasure Island.
Zanjan Province :
Zanjan province, in the central and northwestern part of the country, is located between latitudes 35 28' and 37 18' N. and longitudes 47 17' and 50 48' E.
It is bounded on the northeast by Mazandaran province, on the north by Gilan, on the northwest by East Azarbaijan and on the west by West Azarbaijan and Kordestan provinces, on the south by Hamedan province and on the southeast and the east by Markazi and Tehran provinces.
Zanjan province has an area of 23,767 square kilometers.
According to the latest divisions in 1995, it has 5 counties namely Zanjan, Abhar, Takestan, Khoda bandeh, Qazvin, 9 towns, 16 rural districts and 50 villages.
Zanjan city in Zanjan province
On the way of Zanjan, Tabriz, Ardabil and Rasht by road, you will have the opportunity to visit some of Iran's historical sites in towns along the highway from Tehran to the north and northwest Iran. Your probable stay in Zanjan will give you the chance to see the Mausoleum of Oljaitu at Sultanieh, and prepare your imagination to visualize the metropolis that was once Tabriz.
Sultanieh- the town of Sultans 285 km to the northwest of Tehran in Zanjan province, in an altitude of 1,9000 m above sea level, is six km along a road that turns south off the main road from Qazvin to Zanjan, 37 km southeast of Zanjan, The y-junction (the Serah-Sultanieh) can be reached by bus from Qazvin or Zanjan, and from there you hitch. Like the latter, Sultanieh was built by the Mongols as belated expiation for the wholesale destruction they wrought during the conquest of Iran. Arghun Khan founded Sultanieh in the last decade of the 13th century, and it was enhanced during the reign of his sons Ghazan and Oljaitu during the early 14th century.
By the command of Oljaitu, Ghazan's younger brother and successor (1304-16), there arose beautiful open meadows of Sultanieh of wonder city planned to be the imperial capital. Begun in 1305 and dedicated in 1313, it was built magnificently and rapidly. The result was a complex almost the size of Tabriz, dominated by Oljaitu's mausoleum, one of Iran's supreme architectural achievements. The building was the climax of a congeries of subordinate buildings no longer extant.
Founder's is one of the most curious stories in Central Asian religious history. He was baptized Nicholas as an infant and had been converted to Buddhism before he became a Sunni Muslim of the Hanafi sect. But after visiting Najaf in the winter of 1309-10 this most impressionable Mongol was persuaded to Shiite Islam and decided to dedicate the great mausoleum at Sultanieh not to himself (as its popular name indicates) but as the final glorious resting-place of the remains of Ali (the Prophet's son-law) and Hossein, the first and third Imams reserved by Iranian Shiites.
Faced with the Najafis' refusal to part with the remains of their imams, Oljaitu found himself in rather an awkward position; but he himself was the only one to be there upon his death in 1316. It is difficult to recall a mausoleum equaling the grandeur of this one anywhere else in Iran. Visible from far across the surrounding plain, the mausoleum's very striking egg-shaped dome is said to be the largest Islamic version ever built. The mausoleum is 53 meters high and 25 meters in diameter.
Octagonal in shape, it is dominated by a superb dome that soars almost as impressively without the eight elegant minarets or superb portals that no longer survive. The second-story galleries open outward, anticipating monuments such as Taj Mahal. Its impressive scale provides for an interior of great power. Here space is ample and majestic-not mere emptiness but space more intensely realized than an open landscape.
The walls are made less conspicuous by the stately rhythm of eight huge and soaring arches. Mediated by shallow stalactites, the angles between these arches seem to melt quietly into the circular base of the enormous dome. The walls were originally faced with light gold-toned brick, punctuated with small, dark blue faience tiles strung out to form large inscriptions of rectangular Kuffic, but in 1313 the interior was redecorated with plaster. Designs were varied; huge lacy medallions or painted mosaic and floral patterns, sacred inscriptions proclaimed the divine message, their undulating scripts kept alive a gentle flowing movement.
The vaults of the outer 24 galleries (three on a side) were decorated with painted panels of intricate geometric ornament, exceedingly lovely in design and vibrant in color. Unfortunately, very considerable restoration work had rendered it inaccessible for several years in past. There is a less interesting 14th-century octagonal Mongol tomb tower in the village. Like the Gonbad-e Oljaitu nearby, it was spared destruction by the Timurids when they sacked the town in 1384.
About Sultanieh in Zanjan province
The mausoleum of Oljeitu Khudabanda was built in Sultaniya in 1304-13 (A.H. 703-13). The basic structure is an octagon about 80 feet (24.5 m.) across on the inside.
At the base the walls are almost 23 feet (7 m.) thick, giving a total width of approximately 126 feet (39 m.).
The interior height of the single dome is about 175 feet (about 53 m.). Andre Godard has described this monument as (... the skillful, confident work of a great builder, a consummate technician who was at the same times an artist. Here is a dome with a span of 80 feet built solely of bricks, without any buttresses, pinnacles, or shoulders of any kind, which stands simply by virtue of a perfectly conceived and constructed profile.)
Glazed tile and carved stucco
Details of the original glazed tile and fine, carved stucco in the main chamber evoke speculation as to why blue was so much preferred by the early Iranian artists. Did a superstitious belief in the power of blue as protection against the evil eye have any significance? Many beads and amulets were-and still are- in that cooler for magic reasons. Might the selection have been determined by some association with the sky and the heavens? Or did it stem from something more mundane, such as the availability of copper compound with which to make the glaze?
Cornice on the east side
This is the earliest major monument in Iran in which color has been used for massive effects. The dome was covered with tiles of turquoise, while the facade was decorated in shades of deep blue. Stalactites adorn the cornice and increase the play of light and shadow. Through the arch the elaborate patterns on the walls of the upper galleries can be seen. The construction of the splendid capital in little more than a decade appears an incredible achievement. At this time, however, artisans were protected and greatly valued by the Eastern warlords.
The capture of a town often meant the massacre of the inhabitants - with the exception of the craftsmen. These artisans were promptly conscripted and sent to work in the conqueror`s cities. A vast number of men elaborated on the monuments of Sultaniya. As late as the Safavid period, the skill of its artisans was still regarded as an inestimable wealth of a kingdom. At that time some traders paid a tax into the royal treasury, but craftsmen, especially in the building field, owed their tribute in labor. The chief architect of a monument was not only highly respected but was also well remunerated, receiving as salary up to twenty percent of the assessed value of the work.
The Upper Galleries
The upper galleries of the mausoleum of Oljeitu present vistas of painted and carved stucco designs which glow in shades of red. The brick walls were covered with a smooth surface of hard plaster into which the patterns were cut to a depth of about three-eighths of an inch (about a centimeter) and then painted with distemper. It is extremely likely that decorative details from illuminated manuscripts were used in the ornamentation of buildings. A Koran in the National Assembly Library, Cairo, which was written in Hamadan for Oljeitu, contains patterns almost identical with the stucco decoration in the galleries shown here.
Height of the Dome
From the outside the height of the dome of the Oljeitu mausoleum is partially concealed by the bulk of the octagon. From inside, however, where the height at the center of the dome is 175 feet, the silent majesty of space is overwhelming. Fragments of the original decoration of glazed tile and stucco can be seen on the arch leading to the sanctuary.
The land of Azarbaijan in one of the oldest civilization centers of the Iranian Plateau. Azarbaijan has several historical and natural tourist attractions, not only for its natural, geographical and mountainous features (Sahand and Sabalan mountains), but for having famous valuable thermal springs and rich mineral water springs like Sar'ain, Bostan-Abad, Ghotursoo, and especially the shores of Orumiyeh lake. Sar'ain thermal springs, which is one of the most important water therapy centers of Iran, is located 20 km. far from Ardebil, the capital city of Ardebil Province. These thermal springs, with sulfuric and other mineral compounds, are among the first treatments have been discovered by mankind for treating illnesses.
Orumiyeh Lake, with its wonderful and famous islands, Ghoyoon-Daghi (Kaboodan), Arezoo, Ashk-Daghi and Espir are visited annually by thousands of flamingos and pelikans in the summer. The lake having beautiful natural views as well as water and sludge therapy virtues is amongst the tourims attractions of Azarbaijan. Cities such as Golmankhaneh, Sefid-Gonbad and Rahmanloo, on the shores of Orumiyeh Lake, are equipped with anchorage and accommodation facilities as well.
The cities of Azarbaijan such as Tabriz, Orumiyeh, Ardebil, Maragheh, Khoy, Marand, and Mahabad hold several historical sites worth seeing. The most important historical sites in Azarbaijan are: Kabood Mosque, Jame' Mosque, citadel, bazaar, and Ilgholi Promenade in Tabriz; Shaykh Safiuddin Mausoleum and Azam Mosque in Ardebil; Babak Castle in Kalibar (Ahar township); Maragheh Observatory and rotating tower; Pol Dokhtar and Ghaleh Dokhtar (old bridge and castle) in Miyaneh; the Armenian Church and Monastery of St. Thaddeus known as Tatavus Church (Kara Kelisa or Black Church) in Maku: Shams Tabriz tower in Khoy; ancient hill and village of Hassanloo close to Naghadeh; and Takht-e-Solayman 45km. northeast of Takab, all together are unique and interesting from an architectural point of view. The handicrafts of Azarbaijan, especially carpets, are very reputable.
In Zanjan province there are also several historical monuments like Soltanieh Dome, wash house building, Sang Ezhdeha (Dragon Stone), and the bazaar which have considerable artistic and architectural value.
Ghazvin Province :
Those who favor ambitious excursions and unusual historical episodes are recommended to go near the source of the Alamut river on the southern foothills of the Alborz Mountains. There, fortified eagles' nest recall unbelievable but authentic adventures of the Old Man of the Mountains - Hasan Sabbah, the Grand Master (1040-1124) - and of his sect of Assassins or Hashashins. The historical fortresses are known as the Castle of the Assassins, which were first introduced into European literature by the returning Crusaders, and made famous this century in Dane Freya Stark's classical Valleys of the Assassins.
These were the heavily fortified lairs of the adherents of a bizarre religious cult, based loosely on the precepts of the Ismaili Sect. The Cult was founded in the 11th century by Hasan Sabah. This heretical and widely feared Sect sent out killers throughout the region to murder the leading political and religious figures. Its followers, the Hashishiyun, were so called because of their leader's alleged cunning ruse of taking them into beautiful secret gardens (filled with equally enticing young maidens), getting them stoned on hashish and then sending them out on their homicidal assignments under the illusion of Hasan Sabah had the power to transport them to paradise. The cult at its height extended from Syria to Khorasan.
Until 1256, when the Mongols captured its castles, the Assassins spread fear throughout the region, although some scholars claim that their reputation was exaggerated. As one might expect. the outlaw mountain hideaways were designed to be impregnable and inaccessible, and to this day it is still extremely difficult to visit them; a complete tour of the castle in this region would take about a week on horseback with a local guide. Many of them are only accessible to experienced and well-equipped mountaineers.
About Alamout in Ghazvin province
Those who favor ambitious excursions and unusual historical episodes are recommended to go near the source of the Alamut river on the southern foothills of the Alborz Mountains. There, fortified eagles` nest recall unbelievable but authentic adventures of the (Old Man of the Mountains) - Hasan Sabah, the Grand Master (1040-1124) - and of his sect of (Assassins) or (Hashashins).
The historical fortresses are known as the Castle of the Assassins, which were first introduced into European literature by the returning Crusaders, and made famous this century in Dane Freya Stark`s classical Valleys of the Assassins. These were the heavily fortified lairs of the adherents of a bizarre religious cult, based loosely on the precepts of the Ismaili Sect. Hasan Sabah founded the Cult in the 11th century. This heretical and widely feared Sect sent out killers throughout the region to murder the leading political and religious figures.
Its followers, the Hashishiyun, were so called because of their leader`s alleged cunning ruse of taking them into beautiful secret gardens (filled with equally enticing young maidens), getting them stoned on hashish and then sending them out on their homicidal assignments under the illusion of Hasan Sabah had the power to transport them to paradise. The cult at its height extended from Syria to Khorasan. Until 1256, when the Mongols captured its castles, the Assassins spread fear throughout the region, although some scholars claim that their reputation was exaggerated.
As one might expect. The outlaw mountain hideaways were designed to be impregnable and inaccessible, and to this day it is still extremely difficult to visit them; a complete tour of the castle in this region would take about a week on horseback with a local guide. Many of them are only accessible to experienced and well-equipped mountaineers.
About Shazdeh Hoseyn Tomb in Ghazvin province
Brother of the Eighth lman Reza, shazedeh Hussein was killed,according to local tradition, when a roof fell on him after he had performed a miracle.
The dome over the tomb dates from the reign of shah Tahmasp (1524-76), When Ghazvin was the Safavid capital, and has been surrounded by a courtyard/cemetery paved with tombstones. the decoration was considerably elaborated in the nineteenth century.
The city of Qazvin, once the capital city of Iran during the Safavid period, holds interesting historical buildings and vestiges. The Alamoot Castle, the refuge and base of Hassan Sabah, the leader of the Ismaili Assasin movement, is one of the most interesting sites to visit in Qazvin province.
Industry, Mines & Metals
The contribution of the industrial sector in GDP increased from 10% in 1981 to 14.5% in 1992 and this sector is developing with a rate that is more than average growth rate of the national economy. In the last two decades, industry in Iran has found its course of development. Till mid 1950s, the industrial productions of the country were mainly food products and textiles. Today, after four decades, this sector has been widely diversified. Since the early 1960s, the extent of Iran's production expanded. Some essential chemical materials including chemical fertilizer, dyestuff and soap have been produced. Electrical and mechanical industries were developed in 1960s and 1970s and diversity of productions since 1960s were offspring of this expansion.
The quantitative rate of structural changes of production sector in Iran, through supply of information regarding the distribution of added value production (M.V.A.) in main industrial branches, in the years 1971-1994, which were gathered by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), indicate that production in Iran has been traditionally dependent upon industries like textile, foodstuff (With beverages and tobacco products), and sectors related to transportation equipment, the common contribution of which has been more or less constant during the years 1974-1993.
During these years, important changes occurred in these sectors so that contribution of textile industries decreased from 20.5% to 14.6%, and the contribution of food indusrties and transportation equipment increased from 12% to 13.1% and from 8.6% to 13.1%, respectively. At present, the main production sectors of the country are: non-metal mineral products (including ceramic and glass), metal industries (except machinery and equipment), and electrical and non-electrical industries. Each of these branches supplied more than 10% of the total aded value of production in 1993.
Iran was one of the main importers of steel in 1960s and 1970s. But today, it has become one of the producers and exporters of steel and its products as well as creation of relevant technology in the world. At present, foreign currency needed for production of one ton of steel has decreased from US$ 180 to less that US$ 70. According to planning made in recent years for export of steel, it is hoped that Iran will be one of the major exporters of steel in the near future.
Iran has been equally successful in increasing its production of zinc, sponge iron, ferrous alloys, and refractory materials. This country has also found innovative ways for the production of light aluminum and the creation of technology and know-how within the country, all seemed impossible by reputable international experts. Today, metal and mineral products of Iran including alloys of different metals, are exported to industial countries worldwide, i.e. Japan, South Korea, China, Italy, and other industrial countries.
Similarly, the exploitation of decorative stone quarries, which was once done by old methods like explosion, has changed to one of the most developed industries through making use of modern technology.
The important plants in the mines and metals industries in the country are:
National Iranian Steel Company, Isfahan Steel Mill, Khuzistan Steel Complex, Mobarakeh Steel Complex, Sarcheshmeh Copper Complex, Fariab Mines Company, (Bandar Abbas), Jajarm Bauxite Plant, Iran Alloy Steel Company (Yazd), Golgohar Iron Ore Complex (Sirjan), Chadormaloo Iron Ore Complex, and...
Agriculture
The Iranian civilization centers were based on agriculture and the use of arable lands. As water is a scarce resource in Iran, It has always played an important role in the development of agriculture. Thus, since a long time ago, agriculture has played a major role in Iran's econony and development. This imoprtant sector responsible for providing the food supply of the country, has employed about one third of the total employed population. Today, agriculture sector plays a very important role in the foreign exchange balance of the country for securing GNP and non-oil exports, as it has been also proved during the imposed Iran-Iraq war.
According to a census conducted in 1993, the total agricultural lands of the country are estimated at about 18.2 million hectares constituting only 11% of the total area of Iran. Out of these lands, 5.7% million hectares (31 are fallow lands and the rest has been under annual cultivation. In the last year, the value of the growth in agriculture sector export was about 8%.
The contribution of agricultural products to non-oil exports has been 23% with 1,310.1 tons and a value of US$ 985 million. These figures show that, in comparision with the year 1993, this has increased by 26% by weight and 8% by value. Non-oil exports are mostly made to the following countries:
Group 7, including Germany, Britain, France, U.S.A., Canada, Japan, western Europe, and west countries members of EEC, ECO Islamic Countries, and other Islamic Countries.
Free Trade Zones & Economic Special Zones
The establishment of free trade-industrial zones is one of the findings of global economic system in the 20th century for attraction of foreign investments, transfer of technology, production of export goods, expansion of employment opportunities, and penetration to global markets. These zones have been successfully established in many developed and developing countries including Iran. At present, three free trade zones have been established in southern Iran: Kish Island, Qeshm Island and Chahbahar.
According to the authorizations made by the laws of the First, Second, and Third Five-Year Social, Economic, and Cultural Development Plans, the establishment of other free trade zones is approved for transit, processing, and export of goods which are called Special Economic Zone. These are Sirjan Special Economic Zone and Bandar Anzali Special Free Economic Zone.
Each of these free zones has considerable potentials and facilities for investment, production and services. In addition to the economic function of these zones, the development of tourism is included in the agenda of planning for free zones.
Religion and Culture
Iran is the birthplace of Zoroaster, the founder of the Zoroastrian religion one of the oldest religions of the world. The official religion
of Iran, based on Article 12 of the Constitution, is Islam (Shiite), and about 99.56% of the people of the country are Muslim. Disciples of other branches of Islam such as Hanafi, Maleki, Shafei, Hanbali, and Zaidi in Iran are highly respected and live freely without any limitations. In the Consitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran, religions such as Zoroastrianism, Christianity, and Judaism are officially recognized and their disciples have equal political, social and economical rights as Muslims. Religious minorities of Zoroastrian, Armenian, Jew, Assyrian, and Chaldean have their own independent representatives in the Islamic Consultative Assembly (Parliament).
Cultural richness of Iran in different arenas like different eastern art, literature and gnosticism has a global reputation. Iranian myth, fiction, philosophy, poetry, music, folklore, handicrafts, architecture, and decorative arts have contributed significantly to human thoughts.
Language, Handwriting, Calendar and Flag
According to the Constitution of the I.R.Iran, the common official language and handwriting (alphabet) is Farsi (Persian) language. The starting point for official Iraninan calendar is the flight of Holy Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) in 622 AD which marks the beginning of the Islamic calendar. The first of Farvardin (March 21st) is the beginning of the New Year in Iran according to the solar calendar. Iranian official flag is green, white, and red with the sign of I.R.Iran and also with 22 Allah-o-Akbar (God is Great) in its margins. More than half of the people in Iran speak Farsi (Persian) language and various Persian dialects.
The Persian Language has its own eloquence and versatility. Consequently, some of the most outstanding literature in oriental countries, especially in the realm of Iranian culture, from Transoxiana to Asia Minor, has been written in Farsi. The rich Iranian culture and the Persian language impressed many tribes of Central Asia, In spite of their domination over geographical realm of Iran, for a short time.
Government and Threefold Powers
The government of Iran is "Islamic Republic" which was founded after the Islamic Revolution in 1979. In accordance with the Consitution, the President. members of the Islamic Consultative Assembly (Parliament), and members of different councils directly elected by the people must administer the country. The threefold powers in the Islamic Republic of Iran are legislative, executive, and judiciary that are independent, but coordinated by the President and supervised by the Supreme Spiritual Leader.
The number of Islamic Consultative Assembly representatives is 290 elected for a period of 4 years. All approvals of ICA must be ratified by the Guardian Council for the adaptation of these approvals with the Constitution and Islamic religious laws.
Executive power is under the supervision of the President who is directly elected by the people for a four-year term.
Judiciary power is supportive of individuals as well as social rights of the nation. The highest body in the Judiciary is the Head of the Judiciary.
Political and Administrative Divisions
According to the latest divisions of the country, Iran is divided into 28 provinces, 252 townships, and 680 districts, Each province is administered by a governor-general, each township by a governor and each district by a lieutenant governor. Covering an area of 313,000 square kilometers, Khorassan Province is the largest province of Iran and the smallest ones, each having an area of less than 15,000 square kilometers, are Guilan, Chahar Mahal & Bakhtiari, Kohgilooyeh & Boirahmad, Golestan, Qazvin and Qom.
Travel and Transportation
The best means for travel to Iran is airplane. The major international airlines, especially Iran Air (Homa), have regular flights between Tehran and large cities of the world. Almost all international airlines have independent branch offices in Tehran.
Travel to Iran is possible by other means of transportation such as an automobile through neighboring countries such as Turkey, Iraq, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. The main roads connecting Iran to neighboring countries are as follows:
Iran-Turkey through Bazargan border city, northwestern Iran;
Zahedan-Mirjaveh through the Iran-Pakistan border, southeastern Iran;
Taybad-Harat through the Iran-Afghanistan border, eastern Iran;
Astara-Jolfa through the Iran-Azerbaijan border, northern Iran;
Ghasr-e-'Shirin-Khosravi through the Iran-Iraq border, western Iran.
Moreover, Iran is connected to northern countries by waterways through northern ports located on the coasts of the Caspian Sea as well as littoral states of the Persian Gulf and Sea of Oman and the Indian Ocean through southern ports.
There are connecting paved roads between major cities with suitable quality. The driving system in Iran is based on international driving regulations and on the right side of a two-way road. Many of roads in Iran are mountainous with eye-catching views. There are internatioal traffic signs on all main roads, controlled by highway partol.
The capital cities of all provinces and other major cities are linked through a network of main roads, There are also asphalt access roads connecting other cities in a province. The main transit roads have northsest-southeast or west-east directions and connect Iran-Turkey border to Iran-Pakistan border as well as northern countries to Iran. The up-to-date road maps of Iran can be easily obtained through all bookshops, tourism offices and newspaper stands.
In mountainous roads of Iran, there are speed limits, but most roads in Iran are relatively safe. There is no need for taking spare gasoline due to the existence of enough gas stations along all roads, especially the main ones. The price of gasoline (regular and unleaded) and gas oil is very low in Iran compared to other countries.
Travel by bus is very cheap in Iran due to low price of gas oil. In addition, there are different bus companies with well-equipped and comfortable buses and various classifications throughout Iran. There are also other facilities for travel like minibuses, rent-a-car agencies, etc., most of them centered at city bus terminals. The Islamic Republic of Iran railroad, like other countries in the world, has regular passenger train services to some major cities such as Tabriz, Mashhad, Gorgan, Isfahan, Kerman, Yazd, Ahwaz and Khorramshahr.
There are regular flights to all major cities as well as to small ones by the Islamic Republic of Iran Airline (Homa), Iran Air Tour, Saha, Asseman Airline, Mahan Air, Kish Air, and Caspian Air. Development of the airports of the country in last years made possible the wide and suitable air connections of the cities. The fare of domestic flights is very cheap compared with other countries.
Visa and Tourism Regulations
Iranian embassies throughout the world are bound to issue tourist entry visa for applicants who hold valid passprots at the most within 10 days. According to customs regulations, each traveler can bring, duty free one of the following items as personal belongings: jewels, camera, non-professional video or movie camera, binoculars, portable music instrument, portable cassette tape recorder, portable personal computer (notebook), camping tent and related accessories, sport apparatus like fishing devices, boat not over 5.5 meters in length, water and snow skiing equipment, tennis racket, books and printed matter, and other similar non-commerical objects.
However, everything should be mentioned in the Customs Statement Form upon arrival. There are also safety boxes and other facilities for keeping prohibited goods at the airport. Tourists can travel to Iran by car with "carnet de passage". "triptique", or "diptique" passes with an international driving license. Iranian citizens who have resided in other countries over 6 successive months, can make use of these facilities as well. An automobile should have insurance documents or receive third body insurance from Iran Insurance Company on arrival.
In addition to personal belongings, all tourists can take away one of the following goods at departure: a carpet or two rugs (maximum 12 square meters), different handicrafts and Iranian musical instruments, books and printed matter, ant other non commerical Iranian goods. Moreover, 3kg caviar in sealed boxes bought from duty-free shop of the airport is allowed.
All passengers should obtain health and accident insurance by one of the Iranian insurance companies through their travel agency if they have not already done so. Each passenger should fill the foreign exchange statement section of the above-mentioned Customs Statement Form and exchange of money is allowed only through the banking system or authorized foreign exchange shops.
Exprot of antique objects, hand written old books, vestiges of Iranian culture and civilization, old coins, different kinds of jewelry (except those personal jewels mentioned above), paintings and other cultural items without the approval of the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance is forbidden. In addition, any importation of narcotics, alcoholic drinks, weapons and ammunition, air cartography camera, radio-transmitting sets, audio cassettes, video recorders, video cassettes and immoral books and journals, without the permission of the above ministry, is prohibited.
For female tourists, suitable attire showing respect for Iranian cultural and Islamic values and norms is essential. Suitable clothing for women is head scarf, long dress with stockings or trousers. Photography of all historical and cultural heritage sites is allowed except on military sites.
Iranian Calendar
The official Iranian calendar solar. The Iranian New Year begins 1st of Farvardin which coincides with the 21st of March. The lunar calendar is also formally used in Iran. Each lunar year is 11 days less than the solar year. Religious events and ceremonies are calculated according to the lunar calendar. which varies each year. It is recommended that tourists regulate their travel time in order to prevent coincidence of their travel with the fasting month of Ramazan or the mourning month of Moharram. During these months religious ceremonies and rituals influence normal daily activities, with extra holidays.
Money and System of Measurement
The monetary unit of Iran is the rial; 10 rials is 1 tooman. Iranian coin denominations are 2, 10, 20, 50, 100, and 250 rials and different Iranian paper money denominations are 200, 500, 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, and 10,000 rials. Different kinds or travelers cheques, certified cheques, and credit cards of domestic banks as well as international credit cards may be used. For greater safety it is recommended that tourists change their money through the banking system. The exchange rate is announced daily by the Central Bank of Iran.
Units of weights and measurements are based on the metric system (i.e. Kilogram, meter, centimeter, kilometer, liter, cubic meter, square meter, and hectare).
Post and Communication Services
In Iran, the telecommuniations system is widely expanded with diverse facilities. Each traveler can communicate with other parts of the world by mail, telegraph, telephone, mobile telephone, facsimile, E-mail and the Internet. Several newspapers in Farsi, English, Arabic, French, ets. are published every day. Also, various weekly periodicals are continuously published on diverse issues, about which information is accessible through computer networks and data banks.
Different local, national and international radio and television stations broadcast daily programs in Farsi, English and other languages. Video clubs present different movie and music cassettes.
Hotels, Guest-Houses and other Accommodation Facilities
In Iran, there are different accommodation facilities of diverse classification, at reasonable prices-hotels, motels, guesthouses, inns, hostels, etc. For the welfare of tourists, hotels or guesthouses have been established by Iran Tour & Tourism Organization in several regions or even in remote cities, with suitable and sanitary services at reasonable prices all equipped with neccessary facilities like restaurants, tea-houses, air conditioners, and parking with a pleasing atmosphere. Other suitable tourist facilities such as tourist complexes and camping sites are available in several locations.
Restaurants are very different in Iran due to their famous cooking styles, diverse and delicious for everybody's taste. In the cities, all kinds of local and national dishes as well as international ones are served. The traditional cafe' in Iran is Ghahveh Khaneh (coffee house) in which tea is served not coffee. In a Ghahveh Khaneh, in addition to tea and hubble-bubble, a famous national food, Abgoosht is served. These traditional tea houses are worth seeing places. In the past, these Ghahveh Khanehs played and important role in the social life of the people and spending of their leisure time. Today, these Ghahveh Khanehs have more or less their social role and are the gathering places for different social groups and the exchage of news and information.
Formerly, in order to attract people, various programs like jugglery, story telling, reciting of Shahnameh, animal shows and some artistic activities were performed. There are Ghahveh Khanehs which entertain their customers with old-style entertainment. Many Ghahveh Khanehs exist along main connection roads, which supply simple services. There are many restaurants between cities, which supply different foods, both local and national.
Tourist Attractions
Due to its historical background and sustainable social and cultural evolution, has a lot of diverse worth seeing sites that satisfy tourists with different tastes. Every tourist, whatever his/her incentive, may find many spectacular places depending on his taste. It should not be forgotten that the best way for the recognition of every country is direct contact with its people.
Iranians are famous for their hospitality, compassion and generosity. It is easily possible to visit Iranians homes, being slightly acquainted with them and become familiar with their life style, attitudes, livelihood, and many of their characteristics.
Historical mounuments, which belong to different periods of human settlement in the plateau of Iran along with diverse natural, coastal, mountainous, and nomadic landscapes, make a coordinated and attractive combination for every tourist.
The ancient Iranian culture, which is reflected in historical and architectural heritage, has brought about many sites worth seeing. The culture of today's Iran is a perfect aggregate of near and far past of this territory and everybody can satisfy intellectual and aesthetic needs according to his/her taste through visiting this wide and rich country. The existing historical monuments in Persepolis, Passargad, Susa, Hamedan, Kermanshah, Firoozabad, Syraf and many other ancient centers of Iranian civilization are incentives enough for visiting this country.
The natural environment of Iran, with more than 2,800 kilometers of coastline and water borders as well as the high mountains of Alborz and Zagross, supplies high recreational and tourism potentials.
The shores of the Caspian Sea in the north and the coasts of the Persian Gulf and Sea of Oman in the south are suitable places as recreational resort in summer and winter. The islands of the Persian Gulf-Kish, Qeshm, and Hormoz with suitable shores and beaches as well as pleasant sunshine may be used for vacations even in winters. There are daily and regular flights to this region from several parts of the country as well as suitable accommodation facilities. Moreover, these islands are easily accessible through waterways by different types of ships and boats as well as by airplane.
The mountains and mountain slopes in Iran, along with economic value for nomads for grazing of their sheep, serves as summer residence of urban dwellers as well as suitable places for winter and mountain sports.
One of the most important recreational and natural attractions of Iran are the thermal springs and shores of Orumiyeh Lake and its sludge which are famous for their therapeutic characteristics.
Orumiyeh Lake, covering an area of 4-6 thousand square kilometers (depending on dry and rainy seasons), with its long shores and very high salinity (30, is one of the important recreational and sludge therapy centers of the country, which is not used very much. Bathing in the thermal springs of the region as well as the sludge of these springs, which is called water/sludge therapy, has its own place in medical science.
This lake and its islands, which are totally categorized as a National Park by the Department of the Environment, are the habitats of several species of wildlife both endemic and migratory, and unique from natural environment point of view. So, Orumiyeh Lake National Park is a unique and valuable eco-tourism potential, which can be visited by interested people.
The desert regions of Iran have their own tourism attractions, which are very interesting. These regions, which were the passing place of merchant caravans between eastern and western of Iran in past time, encompass the remains of hundreds of old caravansaries and water storage.
The natural landscape of Kavir (desert), with running sands, stone plains, salty lands, salt rivers, scattered large and small oases, totally supply a dry but attractive nature which is very spectacular.
Pilgrimage Centers
With the expansion of Islam in Iran, the tombs of the Imams (descendants of the Holy Prophet of Islam(S.A.W.) and Shiite religious leaders) were gradually changed to places of pilgrimage and shrines. Subsequently, people and religious leaders constructed suitable and outstanding buildings in these places. These buildings or Imamzadehs have unique architectural styles.
The most famous artists of the time, making use of existing possibilities, portrayed their skill, art and genius in the construction and ornamentation of these shrines. Genius and talent are reflected in most such builgings. The places of pilgrimage in Iran are divided into two categories:
1. The places with international fame like the sacred Shrine of His Holiness Imam Reza (A.S.) in Mashhad and the Shrine of Her Sister Holiness Massoomeh (A.S.) in Qom. The social and economic life of these two cities is interlocked with the existence of these shrines.
2. The places with local and regional fame. These places of pilgrimage are scattered in different parts of the country of which the most important ones are: the Shrine of His holiness Ahmad-binMusa (A.S.)famous as Shah Chirag in Shiraz; the Shrine of His Holiness Abdol-Azim in Shahr Ray (south of Tehran); and Mausoleum of Daniel,the Prophet in Susa (Shoosh).
These tombs, mostly dome-shaped, are places of pilgrimage for local people, especially on weekends. On the other hand, since some of these places are located in regions with a pleasant climate, they are also places for recreation surrounded by different shops and other services. So, many Imamzadehs are located in the suburbs of cities and villages.
In addition to Shiites, ther live in Iran other religious minorities Sunnites, Zoroastrians, Assyrians, Armenians, and Jews who have their own sacred religious places. Here some of these places, which are important from a tourism point of view, are pointed out:
The most important pilgrimage places for Sunnites are Mausoleum of Shaykh Jami in Torbat-i Jam in Khorassan and Sanandadj Jame' Mosque.
Zoroastrians of Iran, who live mostly in Yazd and Tehran, annually go to Persepolis, Naghsh-e-Rostam, Tagh Bostan and Bisotoon for their religious ceremonies and rituals. The old Azargoshasb Fire temple in Takht-e-Solayman, Kashmar Tower in Khorassan, and Orumiyeh Lake are other sacred sites for Zoroastrians.
Armenians travel to St. Tatawoos Church, located in Siah Cheshmeh close to Maku, in summers for pilgrimage. In addition to 13 churches in Jolfa (Isfahan), which are sacred places for Armenians, many other historical churches in other parts of the country may be pointed out like many old churches in Azarbaijan (of which the most beautiful is St. Stephan Church), Salmas, and Maku. The most important place of pilgrimage for Jews is the tomb of Ester and Mordcay in Hamedan.
Tourism Regions
Due to its vastness and natural diversity, Iran enjoys various tourism regions, each with its own worth-seeing sites. Tourist guides for each provice have been published separately providing the necessary information and maps easily accessible at all newspaper stands and public places. In here, the most well-known tourism places in Iran are introduced briefly:
Gilan, Mazandaran, and Golestan
Gilan Province :
The province, with a population of above 2 million and an area of 14,700 sq. km, extends from the Caucasus in the northwest of Iran to the western edge of Mazandaran, and is bordered on the west by Ardabil province and on the south by Zanjan province.
Gilan's capital is Rasht, the most important city in the whole region, and its main port is Bandar-e Anzali, a town at the mouth of Mordab-eAnzali lagoon. The most important river is the Sefid Rud which runs from the Sefid Rud Dam, on the border with Zanjan province, to the Caspian Sea. Called Daylam in the ancient times, Gilan is the wettest part of Iran, and produces rice, silk cocoons and tea, which is nowadays the major agricultural specialty of Gilan.
A road crosses into the (former Soviet) Azarbayijan Republic at Iranian town o Astara and the Caspian passenger ferry between Bandar-e Anzali and Baku in operation now. Iran's northern province of Gilan is located between latitudes 36- 36' and 38- 27' N. and longitudes 48- 45' and 50- 34'E. This province is bounded on the north by the Caspian Sea, on the west by Ardebil , on the east by Mazandaran and on the south by Tehran province and Zanjan province.
. It has an area of 14,820 square kilometers. According to the latest civil divisions in 1995, Gilan has 12 counties- Rasht, Astara, Astaneh Ashrafiyeh, Bandar Anzali, Rudbar, Sume-eh Sara, Rudsar , Tavalesh, Fuman, Shaft, Lahijan and Langrud, 35 towns, 30 rural districts and 95 villages. Its center is the town of Rasht.
About Masouleh in Gilan province
Although regions to the south of the Caspian Sea are mainly covered with mountainous and traditionally virgin villages and settlements, but one can not help mentioning Masuleh, 56 km. southwest of Rasht and 1050 meters above sea level, which is actually the most breathtakingly beautiful village here.
Approached from Rasht via Fuman by a dramatic pass and completely surrounded by forest, this perfectly preserved village appears to have grown out of its surrounding like a limpet clinging to a rock.
It`s formed of several irregular levels of terraced, pale cream houses with gray state roofs, interspersed with evergreen trees.
So steep is the slope that the familiar Iranian network of narrow alleys is entirely absent, andinstead the flat roof of each levelof houses forms a pathway for thelevel above.
The village has few facilities to offer the visitors, but its in spiring setting makes it a perfect antidote to travel in the dry and dusty central plateau, and well worth a day trip from Rasht.
It`s bitterly cold in winter, with snow sometimes three meters deep, but the climate in summer is extremely pleasant and bracing.
About Mordab-e Anzali in Gilan province
Mordab (Dead Water) is the name given to the various shallow lagoons on the Persian shores of the Caspian Sea.
The largest of these, Part River, part swamp, lies between Bandar Anzali and Rasht, 25 miles inland. In places where the reeds and thick, channels are kept clean through which boats can be rowed or punted.
Golestan Province :
In a division of Mazandaran Province, Golestan Province was founded on the first day of Tir 1367 and following the final approval of Islamic Council Assembly in the month of Azar 1376, its name changed into Golestan Province. Gorgan city is also determined as its center.
Golestan Province with an area of 20,311.6 sq kms is situated in south east of Caspian Sea and it contains about 1.3 percent of the total area of the country.
This province has an international border with Turkmenistan Country on the north, and on the south, west and east is situated in the vicinity of Semnan, Mazandaran & Khorasan province.
Mountains of Shah Kuh, Siyah Marz Kuh, Chah Bid and mountain chain of Kurkhud keep its southern and eastern parts within their limits. The most important townships of the province from area point of view are: Gonbad-e-Kavus with an area of 6,485.8 sq kms, gorgan with an area of 2,848.4 sq kms.
Because of being besieged between Caspian Sea and Alborz Mountains, the climate of this area is moderate, damp and Mediterranean and just for this reason the area enjoys the richest natural spectacles and extensive forest parks and wild life. This specification has made the province to have several tourist centers.
One of these centers is the National Park of Golestan which with an area of 91,980 hectares is located in the east of Alborz Mountain Chains.
Historical precedence of this area is another specification which attracts tourists. In the days of different governments and civilizations, the area of Gorgan and Gonbad was counted as one of the important states.
The left relics from those civilizationa are gathered in the Gorgan Museum in three sections for the public visit.
Golestan Province is one of the most important and strategic areas and the only frontified locality of the country which has marine and overland connecting routes with Central Asia. The frontified village of Pol-e Sharghi in this area is located in 72 kms of north of Gorgan and is counted as the nearest frontier locality to Tehran.
About Gonbad-e-Qabus in Golestan province
The Gonbad-e-Qabus (tomb tower of Qabus) in Gorgan bears the inscribed sate A.H. 397 (A.D. 1006-7). The building has a diameter of 50 feet (17.08 m.) at the foundation course and a heightof 167 feet (51 m.) from the plinth to the top of the roof.
The tower goes down for about 35 feet (10.7 m.) more beneath an artificial hillock, which would make the original height above ground approximately 200 feet (61 m.).
The bricks are square and measure about 8 1/4 inches (20.8 cm.) by nearly two inches (4.7 cm.) thick. They are hard fire and are so fine in composition that they ring when struck. Specially shaped bricks were used on the roof. This mausoleum was built for Qabus ibn Washmgir, ruler of Gorgan from 976 to about 1012 (A.H. 365 to about 403).
According to legend, Kabus coffin was suspended high in the building so that the rays of the sun shining through a small window could greet him daily.
(Wake! For the Sun behind you Eastern height Has chased the Session of the Stars from Night; And, to the field of Heaven ascending, strikes The Sultan`s Turret with a Shaft of Light.)
-[ Omar Khayyam, Rubaiyat ]-
About Jame Mosque (Gorgan) in Golestan province
The original structure of this mosque dates from the Seljukid period. Now, the only part of the building which belongs to that period is its brick minaret which bears a Kufic inscription. The wooden pulpit of the mosque bears the date 859 A.H. (1454 A.D.) while the mihrab (altar) is dated 1108 A.H. (1696 A.D.).
Within the lecture-hall of the mosque, a number of historic firmans (decrees) have been carved on stone; the latest date included in these firmans is A.H.1219 and the earliest, A.H. 908. In a frame fixed above the pulpit, there is an inscription in Thulth style which bears the name of Abul Qasim Babar Bahadur, a Timurid general. The mosque has been repaired several times; for instance during the reigns of Shah Abbas I (A.H. 996 - 1039 = A.D. 1587 - 1629) and Shah Abbas II (A.H. 1052 - 1077 = A.D. 1642 - 1666).
Hamedan, Kermanshah, Kurdistan, and Ilam
Hamedan Province :
Among all the cities of Iran, which each has an individual ancient precedence , Hamadan has a special place. Some historians believe that Hamadan's construction dates back to 3000 B.C. and according to an inscription from the first Assyrien king , it is attributed to 1100B.C.
The Central Square in Hamadan was designed by a German engineer in 1307 Solar year. (1982 A.D.) which divided the city into sMeix main avenues , and is considered as the main main part of the city.
Hamadan city with the height of 3,580 m. is located on the slopes of Alvand mountain , so it is very cold in winter. According to 1992 cencus Hamadan has a population of 374,541.
About Alisadr Cave in Hamedan province
The Alisadr cave-lake, 120 km to the north-west of Hamadan near a village by this same name and at the foothill of Su-Bashi, is one of the strangest natural sights in Iran, in fact, the latter is an endless network of caves full of clear water.
The Alisadr cave-lake was discovered in the first half of 70s, and is now being visited by waves of local and foreign tourists. In some sections the caves are more than 100 meters wide.
In some sections the cave ceiling,is more than 10 meters high.
This cave is located 80 kilometers northwest of Hamadan, in the Subashi mountains close to Ali Sadr village and is one of the most beautiful natural features in the world.
This cave is composed of large and small spiral channels which are linked to one another.
In some sections the cave is 100 meters wide and 10 meters high.
Ali Sadr cave was discovered during the fourth and fifth centuries and today lots of tourists visist it in the summer.
About Gonbad-e Alavian in Hamedan province
The Gunbad-e-Alavian was probably built during the second half of the 12th century A.D. when Hamedan was a major Seljuk capital. It is generally believed to be the mausoleum of the powerful Alavian family who continued to rule Hamedan long after the Seljuks. The interior walls of the main chamber explode with naturalistic adornments - twining vines, leaves and flowers are carved out of pale stucco.
This lush decoration contrasts sharply with the bleakness of the subterranean crypt where several of the Alavian leaders have been buried. The original dome has fallen into ruin. The Gonbad-e-Alavian was probably built during the second half of the twelfth century A.D.
When Hamedan was a major seljuq capital. it is generally believed to be the mausoleum of the owerful Alaviyyan family who continued to rule Hamedan long after the Seljuqs. the interior walls of the main chamber explode with naturalistic adornments - twining vies, leaves and flowers are carved out of pale stucco. This lush decoration contrasts sharply with the bleakness of the subterranean crypt where several of the Alavian leaders have been buried. The original dome has fallen into ruin.
About Avicenna in Hamedan province
The mausoleum of Ibn Sina (Avicenna), hamedan, was built in 1952 above the tomb of one of Iran`s greatest philosophers and scholars, known to the West as Avicenna.
Born near Bokhara about the year A.D. 980, he lived a full and dangerous life, serving a variety of rival princes as a physician and vazier, dying at the age of 57 in Hamedan.
His Canon, the first systematic work of medical science, was taught in European universities until the eighteenth century, and his contribitions to philosophy, logic, mathematics, optics and pharmaceutics make him one of the most prolific and original minds of all times.
Modern Hamedan is presumed to be built on the site of Ecbatana, a Median capital, the capture of which in 550 BC by Cyrus the Great marks the foundation of the Persian Empire. The mausoleum of Avicenna is built in the style of the Gunbad-i-Qabus, a famous eleventh century funerary tower in north-east Iran.
The mausoleum of Avicenna is an imitation of the oldest historic buiding of the Islamic period namely the Ghabus Gonbad which is also contemporary to Avicenna major differnces between these two building however are only two namely the size of the mausoleum of Avicenna which is half in size compared to that of Ghabus Gonbad and this is mainly because of the restricted space allocated to this purpose and the other differnce lies in the gap between the buttresses in Avicenna mausoleum whereas in the Ghabus Gonbad building there is no access to outside or inside the tower except for the entrance and a small hole in the bottom of the dome. This mausoleum has been constructed on twelve tall cement foundations.
The grave of Sheikhol Raeis Avicenna has been placed in the center of the 12 foundations of the tower and next to him is the grave of Sheik Abu Saeid Dakhdook who was Avicenna`s friend and host. Both graves have been covered with a flat marble stone with an inscription in nine lines.
The inscription suggests 428 A.H. as the date when it was written. The Avicenna museum, which is situated inside the complex, includes ancient objects, anthropology section and books written by Avicenna. The museum is open to public and embraces such objects as bronze statues belonging to the first millenium B.C., coins, containers, marbles and silver objects belonging to the Sasanids era, books, superb carpets, etc.
On the gigantic rocks of Alvand mountain, the two Achaemenid kings namely Darius the first and Xerxes (522 - 484 B.C.) have described their conquests in an inscription carved in the stone asking for help from Ahuramazda.
The later generations who could not read the cuneiform alphabets of the ancient Persian, Elamite and Babilian scripts thought it was the guide to an uncovered treasury.
Ganj Nameh is located five kilometers from southwestern Hamadan (the ancient Ecbatana) which served as the capital of he Medes and Achaemenids, in a region called Abbas Abad.
There are two plate inscriptions, one on the right side embracing the name of Xerxes and the one on the left embracing the name of Darius the Great.
The translation of the text of the right side plate attributed to Xerxes is as follows : (The mighty lord is Ahuramazda, the god of gods, who created this land, the sky and the people, the same god who brought people happiness, who appointed Xerxes as king, the unique king of kings, the unique ruler of the rulers, I am Xerxes, the great king, king of kings, king of multinational countries, king of this large land, the son of Darius the Achaemenid.)
This translation corresponds with part of the inscription attributed to Xerxes at the main entrance of Persepolis and the other plate inscription of Ganj Nameh attributed to Darius the first, the father of Xerxes, had the same sentences with the difference that instead of Xerxes it has the name of Darius.
These two plates too, similar to the majority of inscriptions by the Achaemenid kings include greetings to Ahuramazda and the fathers and forefathers of these kings.
The city of Hamedan, the founding of which dates back to the time of the Medes (700 BC) holds several historical sites, the most important of which are inscriptions of Gangenameh, Shir Sangi, the Shrine of Esther and Mordecai, Alavian dome, Bu-Ali Sina (Avicenna) ane Baba Taher Mausoleums. In the suburbs of Hamedan there are many natural eye-catching sites including the famous caves of Ali-Sadr, Ghaleh Joogh, and Hizadj.
One of the interesting sites in Hamedan is the Lalejin Village. This village is the center of the pottery and ceramics industry, where many workshops are active, producing diverse earthenware products in different designs and colors.
Kermanshah Province :
In Iranian tales, they attribute Kermanshahan to Tahmurath period (Tahmures-e-Divband one of Pishdadian kings), but the main structure of the city to Bahram IV of Sasanid period in 4th century A.D.
Considering this city not being very old, but there are so many ancient monuments around it. Kermanshahan was a place of entertainment for Sasanid kings, especially Khosrow Parviz, who built a beautiful palace there. The famous story of Shirin and Farhad is from Khosrow Parviz period.
Kermanshahan Province is one of Iraq's neighbours. Before the forced war of Iraq against Iran many passengers and pilgrims could travel from Tehran, Hamadan and Kermanshah to Karabla. This route had made a good trade and economic relation between these two countries.
In 1992, the population of this province was 1,639,300 of whom the most were Kurds& Lors and used to speak in Kemanshahi accent which is of Kurdish dialect.
Kermanshahan Province with 15 cities has an area of 23,667 sq. Kms. The climate is moderate and mountainous. Zagros heights in this province are in a current of the western humid and Mediterranean climate which make it cold and snowy in winter and moderate in summer.
About Anahita Temple in Kermanshah province
This temple belongs to the Seleucides (313 - 64 BC - ) and has been built in Kangavar city. The architectural structure of this temple is a combination of the Greek and Persian styles and as its name suggests is related to Anahita, the daughter of Din Mehr, who enjoyed a very high status with the ancient Iranians.
The temple is as old as 200 B.C. Today houses and streets have been built on the surface of this monument and only part of the temple has remained intact because it neighbors Imamzadeh mosque.
About Bisotoun in Kermanshah province
On the rocks of the famous Bistun mountain, about 50 meters above the ground, there are some pictures and inscriptions from Darius the Achaemenid (559 - 330 BC), which still remain intact.
Darius, the Achaemenid issued an order in 522 BC in the consequence of a series of clashes and wars, according to which the details of his conquests and administration had to be left in trust on the rocks.
The Bistun inscription comes in three prevalent languages of the time namely Persian, Elamite and Babylonian. In this demonstration, Darius the Achaemenid stands before 9 captives whose hands have been cuffed placing his left foot on the chest of Keommana who is lying on the ground with a sword in his hand.
About Tagh-e Bostan in Kermanshah province
Only nine kilometers from Kermanshah city, there is Tagh-e-Bostan village with signs left in it from the Sassanid period (266 - 651 AD). One such sign is the coronation of the Sassanid kings which has been demonstrated on the rocks.
On the left side of the reception of Artaxerxes the second`s coronation, there exist two vaults, a smaller one and a bigger one which belong to the Sassanids. The first vault which is the small one has been carved in the mountain during the reign of Shapur and includes two relief sculptures and two inscriptions in the Sassanid Pahlavi.
According to the inscriptions the two pictures belong to Shapur the second.
The smaller vault is of greater significance since the two inspcriptions have remained intact from events and act as introductions to the demonstrations of the vault.The bigger vault which contains more demonstrations and delicate carvings, has attracted the attention of historians.
The mouth of the bigger vault is 7.4 meters; it is 7.17 meters deep and 9 meters high. This bigger vault belongs to the era of Khosrow the second known as Parviz.
Kermanshah province, with cities like Kermanshah, Ghasr-e-Shirin, Paveh, Songhor, Islam-Abad, and Krend, is one of the most ancient centers of Iranian civilization. The historical monuments of Tagh-Bostan, Bisotoon, and Moagen-ol-molk mourning place in Kermanshah; the famous Anahita Temple in Kangavar; and historical vestiges in Ghasr-e-Shirin and Sare' Pole' Zahab are worth seeing. In the Bisotoon, Tagh-e-Bostan and Dalahoo (Rijab) regions, there exist large calcareous springs.In Rijab (Dalahoo), a thermal spring has created many calcareous ponds, which have a spectacular landscape.
Kordestan Province :
The Kurds are Iranian people who live mainly at the junction of more or less laicised Turkey, Shie Iran, Arab Sunni Iraq and North Syria, and the former soviet Transcaucasia. The name Land of the Kurds seems to date from the time of the Seljuk Sultan Sanjar.
The Kurds played an important part in the history of the Near East. Several dynasties, such as the Marwanids of Diyarbakr, the Ayyubids, the Shaddadids and probably the Safavids, as well as prominent personalities, were of Kurdish origin.
Sanandaj city in Kordestan province
Sanandaj as the center of Kordestan Province, Sanandaj is located at longitude 46-59' E., latitude 35-19' N. and 1480 meters above the sea level. The county of Sanandaj, whose center is the town of Sanandaj, consists of two districts--Markazi and Kalatarzan--nine villages and one town. In 1636 AD, during the rule of Shah Safi, Sanandaj was chosen the center of Kordestan by Solayman Khan. Sanandaj had several buildings, bazaars and mosques, and was the booming trade center of Kordestan.
One of the major characteristics of Sanandaj is the application of local architecture in using local materials, brick, foundation, outer facade and interior design such as sash windows and stuccos. Sanandaj has a pleasant weather in spring and summer. The average annual temperature stands at 13.3 degrees centigrade. The minimum temperature drops to 31 degrees centigrade below zero in the cold season. The average annual rainfall totals 473 millimeters with the freezing season lasting for 104 days.
According to the 1996 census, Sanandaj has a population of 359,990. The former censuses in 1956, 1966, 1976 and 1986 put the population of Sanandaj at 40,641; 54,578; 95,872 and 204,537 respectively. As the figures indicate in recent years, the population has had a sustained growth. The main handicrafts of Sanandaj are: fine wooden decorations, hand-knitted fabrics, engravings on wood, local jewellery, embroidery, pottery, mat, giveh (light cotton summer shoes), felt and leather garment. Fine wooden decorations are very common in Sanandaj, and are used in making cigarette cases, candy vessel, women's bag, cosmetics box, tray, plate, dried nuts vessel, album cover and backgammon board.
Kurdistan Province is mostly mountainous land, with its cities of Sanandadj, Saghez, Bijar, Marivan, Ghorveh, and Baneh, hold many worth seeing and memorable sites among which Jame' Mosque, Sanandadj Museum, Zivieh, and Kaftoo caves close to Saghez can be pointed out.
Kurdistan is well-known for its handicrafts such as coarse carpet, wooden and turnery products, needlework, crocheting, and spangling clothes, which are of high demand.
Ilam Province :
Ilam Province is located in western Iran, between the latitudes 31-58' and 34-15' N. and longitudes 45-24' and 48-10' E. It is bounded on the north by Kermanshah Province, on the south by Khuzistan Province, on the east by Lorestan Province and Khuzistan Province, and on the west by Iraq .
Its area is 19,086 square kilometers. According to 1995 divisions, Ilam Province has 7 counties- Ilam, Dareh Shahr, Abdanan, Dehloran, Shirvan, Cherdaval and Mehran -15 towns and 36 villages. Its center is Ilam.
The ancient land of Ilam (Elam), is a very old territory. The city of Ilam, and other cities of Ilam Province like Mehran and Dehloran, due to historical links with the ancient land of Mesopotamia (between two rivers of Tigris and Euphrates), hold interesting monuments, such as the remnants of the old cities in the valley of Dehloran city and Sarab Galan Shirvan, which relate to Sassanid period. The Bahram Choobin Bridge, Shirin and Farhad Arch, Choobin Mountain passes, and four arches belonging to the Sassanid time are amongst other monuments of this region.
Tehran, Ray and Qum
Tehran Province :
The modern powerhouse of the government and its engineers, Tehran (meaning warm slope) was originally a village on the suburb of Ray, Iranian capital until Mongol invasion of the country in 1220 AD, when it population moved to the present site of Tehran.
Actually, very little is known of the origin and early history of Tehran.
For those who have a bit more time in Tehran, there are several interesting visits that can be made in the western, eastern, and southern suburbs.
About Aladdin Tomb Tower in Tehran province
Built during the Mongol period, the exterior is formed of 32 right-angled flanges.
Just below the conical roofs is an inscription and decorative elements in blue faience.
The vertical joints between the bricks forming the flanges are decorated with plaster brick plugs.
The Mausoleum of Imamzadeh Ja`far
The mausoleum of Imamzadeh Ja`far, a descendent of Imam Musa al-Kazim, consists of a pleasant courtyard, an ivan, a Harem, and a huge double dome.
The earlier date to be found in the building, is the one carved upon the tomb-cage.
At the end of the inscription the date A.H. 994(A.D. 1585), can be seen.
Some parts of the inscription of the Harem are in Thulth script, and it ends with the name of Shah Tahmasb, the Safavid King, and the date A.H. 956 (A.D. 1549).
In the upper part of the ivan, some verses in praise of Fath Ali Shah Qajar have been produced in white Nasta`liq script set on azure unbaked tiles. The concluding distich containing the date of the latest repairs of the edifice, i.e., A.H. 1227 (A.D. 1812), in Abjad code.
About Amir Kabir Dam in Tehran province
The settlement in 1954 of the costly Anglo-Iranian oil dispute resulted in an increase in Iran`s oil revenues. Under the second Seven Year Plan, launched in 1955, work was begun on three dams at Dez, Karaj and Manjil, designed to provide water and electric power over wide areas.
The 590 ft. high, double-curvature arch dam near Karaj is about 40 miles north-west of Tehran on the road to Chalus.
Built by American consultants and contractors, it was opened in October 1961, and supplies electric power (85,000 kw. capacity) and industrial and drinking water for Tehran, previously dependent on Qanats and the water cart for this vital necessity.
Amir Kabir, after whom the dam is named, was Nasser ol-Din Shah`s reformist Grand Vizier, murdered in the royal gardens at Fin in 1852.
About Azadi Tower in Tehran province
This tower which represents the city of Tehran is part of Azadi cultural complex which is located in Tehran`s Azadi square in an area of some 5 hectares.
This complex is composed of the following sections; The 50 meter high Azadi tower, which forms the main part of the museum and its architecture, is a combination of Islamic and Sassanid architecture style. The audio - video hall of the complex which has been designed based on Iran`s geographical map displays the regional characteristics of Iran in so far as cultural, life style, religious and historical monuments are concerned.
A mechanical conveyer allows the visitors to visit the hall in total comfort. Some art galleries and halls have been allocated to temporary fairs and exhibitions.
The Diorama hall with 12 chambers puts to display activities in agriculture, handicrafts, modern industry, etc. A cinema, library and sideline services complement the activities of this complex.
About Sheikh Abdol Hussein Mosque in Tehran province
The Madrasa and the Mosque are among the structure dating from the reign of Nasir al_din Shah Qajar.
The only remaining part of the old building of the mosque, in its original state, is its enamelled brick inscription, which is to be found on the portal. It The portal bears also the date A.H. 1363 (A.D. 1943 approximately), which is the date of the reparation of the structure.
As a result of fundamental repairs amde in the mosque and in its prayer hall, the, monument has taken a new appearance bearing n The mausoleumof Shaykh Abdol Hussein built at the time of the construction of itsadjoining mosque, has, to a large extent, retained its original style.
It is a four-ivan structure and consists of a portal, avestubule, a courtyard, several two-stor Inside its courtyard which is thick with trees, and in the upper ivans there remain five bands of plaster stalactites, remarkable in their kind.
Also, the mosaic tileworks in some of the cornerpieces of the inner false arches, which dat from the time The portal of the Madrasa and its side-rooms are ancient and are decorated with plaster stalctites and mosaic tiles.
The wooden door of the Madrasa, which bears relief engravings and an inscription in Nasta`liq script, counts among the fine specimens.
About Tehran Zoo in Tehran province
The Tehran zoo of Tehran was in a an off-street opposite the Park-e Mellat to the north of Vanak Square. However, because of being surrounded blocks, the city authorities decided to move it to a lush green area (altogether 5 hectare in Eram Park at the beginning of Tehran-Karaj Highway (km 4).
The new Zoo has been a visited bu more than 2,000 visitor each day since 1992. Inside the Park, there several restaurants and children`s playing and recreational facilities. More than 150 species of herbivorous and carnivorous animals and indigenous birds are kept here.
About Bahman Cultural Center in Tehran province
Located in the southernmost part of Tehran, the Bahman Cultural Center occupies a vast area that used to be the city`s old slaughterhouse just seven years ago.
Considered to be the most deprived area of Tehran. Its southern part was in need of help, especially with cultural overtones. In this cultural center concerts, religious plays accompanied by hymns, and other rituals are performed. It is open on all days and nights of the week and serves as a gathering place for the youth of southern Tehran.
The young people can use the center for activities such as sports, various arts fields, wholesale entertainment, etc. The center includes the following sections: Chahar Bagh (four Gardens), center for Children`s Drawings, chess club, visual Arts Gallery, Charlie Chaplin Terrace-Movie House, and a Theater.
The Charlie Chaplin Terrace-Movie House, with an area of 1,450 Sq. m to house 450 people, has a mobile ceiling which can be opened by a push button in three minutes.
A comprehensive description of Tehran may not end like this, but we don`t intend to provide you with the opportunity of just sitting and reading about Tehran. The town is a really modern metropolitan with thousands of interesting places about hich you will certainly discover after the first few days of your stay.
Located in the southernmost part of Tehran, the Bahman Cultural Center occupies a vast area that used to be the city`s old slaughterhouse just few years ago.
Considered to be the most deprived area of Tehran, its southern part is in need of help, especially with cultural overtones.
In this cultural center, concert, religious plays accompanied by hymns, and other rituals are performed. It is open on all days and nights of the week and serves as a gathering place for the youth of southern Tehran.
The young people can use the center for activities such as sports, various art fields, wholesale entertainment, etc. The center includes the following sections:
Chahar Bagh (Four Gardens), center for Children`s Drawings, Chess Club, Visual Arts Gallery, Charlie Chaplain terrace-Movie House, and a theater.
The Charlie Chaplain Terrace-Movie House, with an area of 1,450 sq. m to house 450 people, has a mobile ceiling, which can be opened by a push button in three minutes.
About Tehran Bazaar in Tehran province
Tehran is the greatest of the Iranian markets. Squat and once black in the heart of the city, like a covered railway station, stand the bazaars in the southern part of Tehran.
These bazaars deserve a half-day stroll. Down there you may still smell the spices and the sheepskins, and hear the rich trump of unrolling carpets, unpeeled from the stack like pages of a manuscript. All the faces of Persia may be seen in those arcades:
Semite or Mongol, fair or swarthy, swathed in fringed turbans or clamped upon by dowdy trilbies.
It is an imperial sort of palace: Darius would have liked it.
As well as being one of the biggest of all eastern bazaars, that of Tehran is also among the newest. The bazaar was a city within the city. For many years, it was the focal point of the town.
Everything happened there, not only trading, but also social relations, marriage and politics.
It is to be regretted that the bazaar is gradually being abandoned by the more prosperous merchants, who have moved to the northern avenues of the new city, built after the bazaar.
Bazaar never closes, expect for religious festivals, but it is seen at its most bustling at midday, or between 5 and 7 in the evening. Haggle furiously here for anything you like:
Carpets, tribal jewelry, leather, silks, copper, gold.
Two warning: go slowly, since the paths are usually watered to prevent dust, but slippery; and keep closely to the right, well away from the center of the passageway to avoid the heavily-laden porters who make their way at top speed through the crowd.
Your tour of the Tehran`s 10-km long covered bazaar will begin at Sabzeh Maidan (Green Square). Actually, entrance to bazaar is through several gates, closed and manned by security personnel at nights.
The first section, on the east, is devoted to luxury articles, especially watches and jewelry. Beyond these are the carpet dealers.
Turn off at right angle to the main street from time to time to enjoy the relative peace of a timcheh or depot in the from of a rectangular courtyard open to the sky, where fountains or small pools alleviate the suffocatingly dry heat of a Tehrani summer afternoon.
About Imamzadeh Chizar in Tehran province
This mausoleum is located on the western foot of the hill adjacent to and overlooking the old Chizar hamlet, is simple and without any decorations. Neither the Jafari transenna not its simple reliquary can be considered historic monuments or artifacts.
The old tombstones and condition of the mausoleum indicates that it must have had an older building utilized as a bode and seclusion quarter for dervishes.
The mausoleum has been ascribed to Ali Akbar; Imam Zayn al-Abedin`s son.
About Divan Khaneh in Tehran province
Karim Khan Zand intended making Tehran his capital. In the year A.D. 1758, he ordered the erection of a number of buildings within the Arg, including a Haram-Khaneh and Khalvat-Khaneh. In A.D. 1759 he ordered the building of a private palace and a Divan Khaneh within the confines of the Arg.
The style was to be Safavid. This was achieved, but unfortunately, because of the alterations made in later periods, we have little knowledge. What is obvious is that the building known as the Khalvat Khaneh is one of these buildings, though greatly altered. Another indication is a drawing by Flandin, of one of the rooms of Karim Khan`s Divan Khaneh. The building was still standing in A.D. 1848.
The Private Life of Nasser al-Din Shah History of the Arg Buildings.
About Imamzadeh Sayyed Ismail in Tehran province
The old mausoleum of Imamzadeh Sayyed Isma`il consists of a courtyard, two high minarets, a portico, a sepulchre, and a simple mosque. Inside the portal of the mausoleum in the ivan, there is a white inscription in Nasta`liq script set on a background of azure mudbricks.
The contents of this inscription indicates that the ivans and the two high minarets decorated with tilework, have been constructed through the efforts of Issa Khan Bayglar Baygi in the reign of Muhammad Shah Qajar in A.H. 1262 (A.D. 1845). In the ivan, there are a band of muqarnas works in plaster mudbrick tablets in relief. The ivan leads into a portico with a couple of two-stories siderooms which are decorated with muqarnas works and plaster mouldings.
Inside the mausoleum, above the tomb and in the space separating the tomb and the mosque, there is an old door with relief designs and historical inscriptions carved upon it. This door of historical interest, apart from its superb engravings, has also distinction of bearing the earliest date among the monuments of the present Tehran. The door bears the following inscription, part of which is in Nasta`liq and the rest in Thulth script, and which is indicative of the reparations having been carried out in the reign of Muhammad Shah Qajar.
The inscription also gives the date of construction and the name of benefactor, as well as that of the carpenter. Apart from the above-mentioned historical inscriptions, there are others carved upon the door. Thus, it can be said that part of the mausoleum of Imamzadeh Isma`il dates from the 9th century A.H. (15th century A.D.), which is the date of the construction of the main structure, the other section belonging to the 13th century A.H. (19th century A.D.), or the Qajar period.
About Golestan Palaces in Tehran province
During the reign of the Safavid Shah Abbas I, a vast garden called Chahar-Bagh (Four Gardens), a governmental residence and a Chenaristan (a grove of plane trees), had been created on the present site of the Golestan Palace and its surroundings.
Then, Karim Khan Zand (1163-1193 = 1749-1779 A.D.) ordered the construction of a citadel, a rampart and a number of towers in the same area. In the Qajar period, some royal buildings were gradually erected within the citadel; for instance, in 1268 A.H. (1813 A.D.) which coincided with the fifth year of the Nasir al-Din Shah, the eastern part of the royal garden was extended and some other palaces were built around the garden, called palaces the Golestan Garden.
The group of palaces located in the northern part of the Golestan Garden, consists of the Museum Hall (Talar-i-Brilian), the Ivory Hall, the Crystal Hall, and the Talar-i Narinjistan (orangery hall), which have all been built prior to the construction of the other parts of the palace. The Museum Hall has been built in 1296 A.H. (1878 A.D.). In the upper section of the Royal Reception Hall of the Golestan Palace, there is a large bejeweled golden throne, called Takht-i- Tavus (The Peacock Throne), which must be the same as the Solar Throne (Takht-i Khorshidi).
The Qajar`s royal residence, the oldest substantial building in the city, and one of a group of royal buildings then enclosed within mud walls known as the Arg, the Golestan Palace (Rose Garden), too, was completed by Fath Ali Shah Qajar. However, its construction is attributed to the Safavid Shah Abbas I. Nasser ad-Din shah, influenced by what he had seen during his first European tour in 1873, added a Museum in the from of a large, first-floor hall decorated with mirror work, where some of the priceless Crown jewels were put on show side by side with many other things of much less value, mainly acquired by the King during his European tour.
The coronation ceremonies of the last two kings of the Pahlavi dynasty took place in the first-floor hall, however, after a re-arrangement, complete renovation and redecoration of the interior with the intention of reviving the palace`s ancient splendor. The last King used to hold New Year and Birthday Salams in the Coronation Hall, where Ministers, foreign Ambassadors and other dignitaries in full dress offered their congratulations to the King of Kings. But generally, the Golestan Place is open to strollers and tourists.
The Palace garden offered an oasis of coolness and silence in the heart of the city, Shade is provided by what the inhabitants of Tehran call (the finest plane tree in town), rose bushes, blue fountain-bowls and ancient of water recall the charm of ancient Iranian gardens. Altogether, here you will see little more of the palace than the visitor hoping for a tour around Buckingham Palace who is fobbed off with the Royal Gallery.
But while the state-rooms of the Palace may appeal to some others will turn to the Palace Library for the discovery of Iranian paintings, which owes its relative lack of popularity to the inaccessibility of originals scattered from Cleveland to Istanbul, from Washington`s Freer Gallery to ST Petersburg, and from the British Museum to Cairo`s National Library. Address: 15th Khordad Square. Tel: 3113335-6
About Imam Mosque in Tehran province
Imam Mosque or Masjid-i Sultani dates from the reign of Fath Ali Shah Qajar and counts among the great and famous mosques of Tehran. Its construction was completed in A.H. 1240 (A.D. 1824). The name of Fath Ali Shah is carved in Nasta`liq script upon the front of the big ivan which faces Qibla (Mecca).
The name of Nasir al-Din Shah Qajar, by whose order some repairs have been carried out in the mosque can also be seen upon the portal of the northern facade. Two minarets which rise above the portal of the Imam Mosque, belong to the reign of Nasir al-Din Shah. As regards the spaciousness of the courtyard, beautiful prayer halls, the huge tile-decorated cupola, false arches chambers and portal, this mosque is highly interesting and magnificent and possess wonderful specimen of the tile-work.
The structure of the main cupola has been changed into the shape of a wishbone in consequence of recent reparations. In the larger hall, there exists a tile inscription frieze which contains an ode composed by the famous poet Mejmar in praise of this huge edifice. The mosque also bears another inscription which contain an ode composed by Fath Ali Khan Saba, entitled Malik al-Sho`ara (poet laureate), in praise of the mosque.
There is another verse inscription by the same poet, Saba, in Nasta`liq calligraphy, set on mosaic tiles, which can be seen upon the western portal of the mosque under the plaster stalactite works. At the time of construction of this mosque in Tehran, a number of other mosques, in the same architectural style as the Imam Mosque, were built in some other cities such as Semnan, Kazerun, Borujerd and Kashan, each being called either the Imam Mosque or the Sultani Mosque. In construction of the said mosques, the architectural style of the Masjid-i-Vakil in Shiraz has been followed.
Imam Mosque (historically known as Masjed-e-Shah or the Royal Mosque), the construction of which began by Fath Ali Shah Qajar in about 1809 in line with his efforts to embellish the newly founded capital, was completed in 1849, it stands at the northern entrance to the bazaar not far from the Golestan Palace. Two side entrances of the mosque lead directly into the bazaar. The southern ivan opens onto the prayer hall.
The mosque has the usual four ivans, on each of the four sides of a single-story arcaded court, decorated with early 19th-century haft rangui tiles. The turquoise and white dome of the sanctuary chamber beyond the south ivan is crowned by a small gilded cupola seen here peeping over the ivan. At the pool in the center of the court-a feature of nearly all mosques-the faithful perform their ritual ablutions before each prayer.
About Darvazeh Bagh e Melli in Tehran province
This imposing brick gateway, decorated with high Haft Rangi tiles, was built in 1922 by command of Reza Khan when he was minister of War.
It faces what it used to be the Ministry of War, an old Qajar building a few hundred yards to the north; the space between was for many years a big military parade ground, the Maidan-i-Mashq, but has now been built over.
On the right through the gateway are the large police headquarters, built in neo-Achaemenian style during Reza Shah`s reign; on the left a museum completed in 1967, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Apart from numerous faience inscriptions, the tiling on both sides of the gateway illustrates military subjects such as machine guns and soldiers. The main faience inscription over the central arch, which is crowned by a chamber where military music was played, is an Arabic and records well-known words of the Prophet Muhammad as quoted by the Imam Reza.
Another inscription states that the gateway`s wrought-iron work was made in the Tehran arsenal.
About Motahari Mosque in Tehran province
Historically known as the Masjed-e Sepah Salar (Mosque of the Commander-in- Chief), and serving both as a mosque and a theological collage, the Motahari Mosque with its eight minarets set close to each other is the largest and most important mosque in Tehran (3,700 square meters in area).
Architecturally speaking, it includes elements from the Imam Mosque of Esfahan (Former Masjed-e shah).
The style of Haghia Sophia Mosque in Istanbul and the façade execution style of Chahhar Bagh Madraseh in Esfahan. Its minarets are not very nigh, nor very slim, but are capped by small-pillared turrets.
Yellow and blue are the dominant colors of the ceramics, which cover them from top to bottom. Their beauty springs from the way they are grouped together. They are overlooked by a fairly flat-shaped cupola nearby.
The mosque`s varnished brickwork forms a simple interlaced design in delicate shades: light blue, ocher yellow, as well as an exceptional white.
The entrance door is also covered with colored motifs in an overloaded style.
The decoration of the minarets on both sides of the door is noteworthy. It is an intricate composition rather like a wallpaper design of the beginning of the century, with streamers and bouquets surrounding shields bearing minutely portrayed landscape and country scenes.
Actually there are few religious buildings of great importance in Tehran, but visitors not traveling outside the capital, should on no account miss visiting at least one mosque, so this recent one is at least worth mentioning.
Funds for its construction were provided by the enormously rich Mirza Hossein Khan, who had been in turn Nasser od-din Shah`s Grand Vizier, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Commander-in-Chief (Sepah Salar).
Built on the traditional four-ivan plan round a large, arcaded court, the mosque was not completed until 1890.
Its large prayer hall has 44 columns, and the top of one of its minarets was once one of the vantage points to see the new Tehran and the Alborz Mountains.
The southwest van leads into the spacious domed sanctuary chamber which has been re-tiled in and outside, during recent decades and now provides an excellent example of contemporary Iranian tile work, both haft rangui and mosaic. The northeast Ivan opposite is surmounted by a tiled clock tower and flanked by a pair of small minarets.
The scrupulous restoration carried out recently shows that modern craftsmen are as skillful as their ancestors were. The Mosque`s library houses over 5,000 manuscripts, some of which are unique.
At present students of theological sciences carry on with their courses here.
ddress: Southern end of eastern side of Baharestan Square, downtown Tehran.
About Niavaran Palaces in Tehran province
The compound of Niavaran palaces in Tehran was formerly the residence of the Qajar kings and at present the Saheb Gharanieh palace and Ahmad Shah palace remain from that period.
It was during the reign of Pahlavi dynasty when this collection was extended and some palaces including the main Niavaran and royal school were annexed to it. The building of Niavaran palace, with an area of some two thousand square meters, started in the center of a garden in 1948 and was completed in 1967.
Mohsen Forughi and Abbas Dehghani were the major designers and architects of the monument. This building turned into a museum after the victory of the Islamic revolution.
About Sad Abaad Palaces in Tehran province
Known as the Saad Abad Cultural Complex, and bounded by Velenjak to the north and Kolak-Chal to the east, it occupies an area of 410 hectares. Actually, it is the greatest cultural complex in modern Tehran consisting of seven palace-museums (out of 18, turned into public museums after the revolution), not all open at the same time.
However, they are clearly marked and signposted in English.
With an area of some 410 hectares Saad Abad reaches Velenjak in the north, Tajrish square in the south, Darband region in the east, and the skirts of Kolak Chal heights in the west. During the Qajar era, Saad Abad was composed of seven districts. During the Pahlavi era some regions were annexed to it and in this manner the Saad Abad palace was extended. Saad Abad consists of 18 palaces, which were resided by the former Shah of Iran and his relatives. Following the revolution however seven palaces in Saad Abad were turned into museums and palace - museums open to public.
These palaces included the White Palace (Nation Museum), Mother`s Palace (Museum of Reminiscence and Warning), Shahram (Museum of Military Implements), Shahnaz (Saad Abad Natural History Museum), Ministry of Court (Museum of Fine Arts), Shahvand Palace (Green Museum) and Shams Palace (Museum of Anthropological Research)
About Imamzadeh Saleh in Tehran province
The reputable and holy mausoleum of Imamzadeh Saleh, which is located in the Bazaar of Tajrish, consists of a courtyard, several family tomb chambers, an ivan, a portico, a mosque, a sepulcher, a tomb and a cupola. The present mausoleum dates from the Qajar period.
However, an old plane-tree, planted in the courtyard, and numerous old tombstones remaining inside the Haram and in the courtyard, bear evidence that period to the construction of the present building, there had existed the main structure of (Astaneh) which must have belonged to the 7th and 8th centuries A.H. (13th and 14centuries A.D.) and which has gradually turned into its present state in consequence of frequent repairs and alterations.
Above the door of the portico which leads into the Harem (sanctuary), there can be seen some sentences and words in plaster relief and in azure Nasta`liq script on a white background giving the names of Fath Ali Shah and prince Hulaku Khan. The interior of the Harem is decorated with beautiful paintings belonging to the Qajar period. This mausoleum possesses two sepulchers; the bigger one, the eastern, northern and western sides of which are covered with silver-lattice tomb-cage and the southern side with a wooden lattice cage, is remarkable as regards its silver works.
The other sepulcher is wooden and possesses square panels. The founder of the silver-plated sculptor is known as the late Mirza Sa`id Khan, a foreign minister of the Qajar period. Above the northern portal of the courtyard the following two distiches in praise of the Imamzadeh, carved in white Nasta`liq script on a background of azure enameled tiles, can be seen. The present structure of Imamzadeh Saleh counts among the outstanding monuments of the Qajar period, and the 13th century A.H. )19th century A.D.), as regards the proportionate interior arches of the Harem and the constructional style.
About Serkis Church in Tehran province
Construction of this splendid church, began in 1964 and finished in 1970. Serkis Church is located at Karim Khan Zand Boulevard.
About Shamsolemareh Palace in Tehran province
The Shams ol-Emareh which is one of the first high-rise buildings of old Tehran, Nasser al-Din Shah Qajar ordered Doostali Khan Nezam ol-Dowleh (Moayer al-Mamalek) to build it.
He choose a site to the east of the Arg and finished the building in 1867 A.D.
The building which was well planned and adorned with various decorations such as stucco, Ayaneh Karie, tile and murals is one of the most beautiful of Tehran`s historical buildings.
Moayer al-Mamalek not only built with his own money, but bought also the carpets and furnishings and presented a complete building to Nasser al-Din Shah Qajar.
This palace is located in the eastern section of Golestan palace and belongs to the era of Nassereddin Shah. The king was inspired in one of his visits abroad, by the multi - storey buildings he observed there. The building was constructed by Doost Ali Khan Moayerrol Mamalek in 1865 - 1867 . The structure of the building is strong and the symmetries have been formed beautifully. The building is brick made with thick walls. In some cases the thickness of the basement walls exceeds 600 centimeters and the thickness of the ground floor walls stands in the range of 510, 150 and 120 centimeters.
Shamsol Emareh has been the tallest royal building with three stories and two towers on the top. This building used to serve as a place for official receptions and also the private harem of Nassereddin Shah. In his book entitled Meraat - ol - Boldan, Etemad - ol - Saltaneh describes its halls and chambers all equipped with high quality and premium curtains, chandeliers and posters.
Address : Golestan palace complex, 15th Khordad Square
Tel : 3113335 - 8
About Vahdat Hall in Tehran province
The completion of the Vahdat Hall (Rudaki Hall) in 1967, nearly ten years in the building, filled a major gap in Tehran`s cultural life by providing a modern opera house and concert hall equipped with the very latest theatrical and electrical devices.
The hall - built under the auspices of the Ministry of Fin Arts and Culture (now Ministry of Islamic Culture and Guidance) - is named after theblind 10th century poet, Rudaki, the firstgreat classical poet of Iran, and provides accommodation for audiences of up to 1,350. The architect was a Persian American, Dr. Eugene Aftandilian, who studied in Iran.
The floodlit marble entrance foyer incorporates the traditional Talar motif. Behind, towers the mass of the main building. By contrast to the Hall`s overpowering vertical exterior, its horseshoe theater within has the cozy, white-and-gold, red-plush air of a 19th century European opera house, complete with two tiers of boxes and gallery above.
About Imamzadeh Zayd in Tehran province
The mausoleum of Imamzadeh Zayd, which consists of a courtyard, an ivan, a mirror gallery, a tile-decorated dome and some other annexes on the wings, is the burial place of Seyyed Zayd ibn Zain al-Abedin ibn Hussein ibn Ali. The earliest date relating to a mausoleum can be found upon the tomb, and is the month of Rajib A.H. 920. which is also found in a bas-relief in Naskh style above the tomb.
It corresponds to A.D. 1514 Therefore, the principal structure of the mausoleum dates the early Tenth century A.H. (16th century A.D.).
Inside the mausoleum and upon the inlaid door that leads, through the ivan, into the Harem (sanctuary), the following dates are to be seen:
A.H. 1297, and 1309 (A.D. 1879 and 1891). These two dates given at the end of two tile-work inscription of the edifice in the Thirteenth century A.H. (19th century A.D.).
Close to the mausoleum, there is a mirror hall, which is the burial place of some of the dignitaries of the past.
In the ivan, there is a marble tomb stone near the mausoleum, which indicates that the tomb of the brave Zand prince, Lotf Ali Khan must also be in the mausoleum of the Imamzadeh Zayd in Tehran.
The tile-works of the dome, the renovation of the Ivan, the mirror-works of the gallery and the Harem, and the nearby tomb all belong to the S.H. years 1315-1316.
The city of Tehran, with a relatively short history, holds interesting monuments and sites worth seeing. Tehran, was once a village in the suburbs of the city of Ray. After being ruined by the Mongols, it developed gradually and was elected as the capital city of Iran. Most historical buildings in Tehran were constructed during the Qajar period. The most interesting sites of Tehran are:
Museum of Royal Jewels in National (Melli) Bank in which the famous diamound Daryayeh Noor (the Sea of Light) along with other jewels and crowns of Iranian kings are kept;
Bazaar of Tehran, the largest commerical center of the country with several caravansaries, old buildings, Imam Mosque, Motahhari (Sepahsalar) Mosques and school;
Golestan Palace as well as Niavaran and Saad Abad palaces;
Shrine of His Holiness Abdol-Azim in Shahr Ray, south of Tehran;
Museums of Iran Bastan (archeology), Carpet, Reza Abbasi (art), Abgineh (ceramics and glass), decorative arts all hold a treasury of invaluable art works.
Today, the city of Tehran, one of the largest metropolitan areas of the world plays an important role in the socio-economic and political life of the country. It is the most important center for higher education, administration, the military, politics, economics, communication, and commerce. The summer countryside around Tehran, especially those around Lar, Karaj, and Latian dams, with the valley of Jajerood and Karaj as winter amusement spots of Dizin, Shemshak and Ab-Ali, suitable for winter sports, compose the recreational areas of Tehran. The accommodation facilities of Tehran, with different classifications satisfying the needs of tourists with different tastes.
Qom Province :
Tehran`s largest neighbor with an area of 10,743 square km on a low plain and 930 meters above sea level, Qom Province borders on Tehran and Semnan provinces to the north, Esfahan to the south, and Central province to the east.
On route to Esfahan, Kashan, Yazd and Kerman by train or bus (on Tehran-Qom highway), Qom as the capital of the province has easy access to Saveh and Tafresh to the northwest; Mahallat and Delijan to the southwest, and Kavir and salt lake to the east.
Its population according to the latest census amounts to more that 1,200,000 inhabitants.It can be conveniently visited in a day from Tehran
About Jamkaran Mosque in Qom province
The Jamkaran Mosque was built on the slopes of Kuh-i-Dobaradaran, at the beginning of the Qom-Kashan road.
On Wednesday eves, many pilgrims and devout lovers of the 12th Shi`ite Imam, who are awaiting his second coming, flock to the Jamkaran Mosque to pray and ask for divine help with their personal problems.
About Shrine of Hazrate Masumeh in Qom province
The construction of the present (Bargah) (Holy Court) and the holy shrine of Hazrat-i-Masumeh in Qum, was started in the middle of the third century A.H. and continued during the 4th, 5th, and 6th centuries A.H. (mid 9th century through 12th century A.D.), when it was completed with a dome and vault. But it was most flourishing in the Safavid period, Shah Ismail ordered the construction of the northern ivan.
During the reign of Shah Tahmasb I, 939 A.H. (1532A.D.) and Shah Abbas II, 1055 A.H. (1654 A.D.), the buildings of the (Astaneh) were completed and some important decorative works were undertaken, which have been continued ever since.
The main structure of the holy (Astaneh) (Threshold) consists of the old and new courtyards, a mirror-decorated ivan, a number of Mu`azin`s cages, a portico, a sepulcher, the holy harem (Sanctuary), the Holy Tomb, Masjid-i-Bala-sar, ladies courtyard (Sahn-i-Zananeh), an ivan,thegolden dome, and several golden, silver and inlaid doors.
There are a number of verse inscriptions in (Astaneh Moq`adasseh), composed by Muhtasham Kashani, Fath Ali Khan Saba, and Shurideh Shirazi. The tileworks of the holy tomb of Hazrat-i-Masumeh, which have been accomplished during the years 605 to 613 A.H. (1208 to 1218 A.D.), bear the following designs and colors. On the tomb, there are 15 pieces of enameled tiles covering a space of 2.95 meters long and 1.20 meters wide.
The sides of the tomb are covered with three kinds of tiles, namely enameled tiles with curved sides, full star-shaped (Kuakabi) tiles, and enameled tiles on which the latter are installed.
There are three inscriptions on the tomb: the first is a relief inscription in Naskh style and isvermilion in color; thesecond, also vermilion, is in Kufic script;and the third is golden and in Naskh calligraphy. The background is azure, golden, brown or silver, and is further adorned with various ornamental motifs.
According to the inscriptions, the tiles of the Holy Sepulcher have been donated by Muzaffar ibn Ahmad ibn Ismail and the calligraphers Muhammad ibn Abi-Tahir ibn Abi-Hussain and Abu-zaid have been responsible for the inscriptions, the former having also undertaken the manufacturing of the tiles.
Markazi and Lorestan
Markazi Province :
Markazi Province is located between the latitudes 33-30' and 35-35' N. and longitudes 48-57' and 52-05' E. It is bounded on the north by Tehran Province and Zanjan Province, on the west by Hamedan Province, on the south by Esfahan Province and Lorestan Province, and on the east by Esfahan Province and Tehran Province. Its area is 29,530 square kilometers.
The provincial center is Arak. According to the 1995 divisions, Markazi province has 8 counties-- Qom, Saveh, Khomein, Mahallat, Sarband (Shazand), Tafresh, Delijan and Ashtian --18 towns, 15 rural districts and 60 villages. It is to be noted that according to the latest legislations, the county of Qom will soon turn into an independent province.
Markazi (Central) Province, situated south of Tehran and west of Isfahan province, is one of the historical regions of Iran, Its antiquity dates back to the Seleucidian era. Cities of Saveh, Mahallat and Nimevar, Tafresh and Ashtian hold interesting historical monuments. Some of the most important sites of this province are Arak caves, the underground city of Dolfabad in Farahan, thermal springs, the remains of the Seleucidian Khorkheh temple, Dodehak caravansary, Imamzadeh Yahya in Mahallat, historical sites and caravansaries of Saveh, Delijan Cave, birthplace of Imam Khomeini in Khomein, and several other Imamzadehs and pilgrimage places that each of them portrays a part of the history of this region.
Lorestan Province :
The province of Lorestan is located between latitudes 32-37' to 34-22' N. and longitudes 46-51' to 50-03' E. It is bounded on the north by the Markazi province and Hamedan province, on the south by Khuzistan province, on the east by Isfahan province, and on the west by Kermanshah province and Ilam province .
Its area is 28,560 square kilometers. According to 1995 divisions, Lorestan has 9 counties, 10 towns, 24 rural districts, and 82 villages. Its center is Khoram Abad.
Lorestan Province at the western border of Iran is a mountainous land in which the Zagross Mountain Range extends from the northwest southward, in a regular and condensed form. This province holds plenty of historical monuments. According to the Babylonian, Elamite, and Assyrian inscriptions, the Zagross mountains were home to tribes such as Loloi, Manai, Kasi, Gooti, Amada, and Parswa.
In addition, Lorestan Province is one ot the most spectacular regions of Iran from a natural point of veiw. Snow-clad heights, valleys, beautiful rivers and lakes, springs, waterfalls, luxuriant plains are among the tourist attractions of this region. Among the most important eye-catching places of Lorestan Province are: Falak-ol-Aflak Castle, Qiu lake, Taf and Afrineh waterfalls, wetlands, several historical caves, inscriptions of 6th century AH, as well as inscriptions of Safavid era, and Changai wetland in Khoram-Abad; Oshtorankooh Mountains in Boroojerd; Ab-Sefid waterfall in Aligoudarz; beautiful valleys, castles, and caves in Koohdasht; Gahar lake and Dorood waterfall.
Khorassan and Semnan
Khorasan Province :
In the past Khorasan was a large expanse of land , Located in north east of Iran and consisted of:
Amu Darya, Hindu Kush, Mavaraonnahr, Sejestan and Qohestan.
In the Sasanids period , the Great khorasan was ruled by 4 frontiersmen with the king's order , each responsible for one of the four parts which were :
1- Marv Shahjan
2-Balkh & Tokharestan
3-Harat , Bushanj Badqhis & Sejestan -Mavaraonnahr.
In the Qajar period , this land was smaller than half of the ancient Khorasan and the Khorasan and the remainder is located in Afghanistan and the former U.S.S.R.
Khorasan had always a great role in revival of Persion language and literature , and moreover to great poets and writers such as:
Rudaki, Ferdowsi, Onsari ,Sanaei, Khayyam, well-Known philosophers such as: Abu Ali Sina (Avicenna), Abu Reyhan-e-Biruni, Molavi, Kharazmi and Balkhi were from this land.
Khorasan Province with a population of 6,387,609(1992) and 313,335 sq. Kms. is the largest province , and takes up more than one firth of Iran, so it has various climates.
Khorasan provinces. has allocated a special place to itself in comparison with other provinces. For industrial factories, handicrafts, Agricultural productions and their export. Carpet, turquoise and saffron of Khorasan have achieved fame from olden times.
About Ferdowsi tomb in Khorasan province
Ferdowsi, born near Meshhad in A.D. 940, was 40 years old when he began to compose the Shahnameh, and it took him about twenty years to complete the 60,000 couplets of this epic which relates the history of Iran to the end of the Sassanian period.
Ferdowsi drew heavily on ancient Persian mythology. He is said to have been promised a gold coin for every couplet by the reigning court.
However, when he completed the monumental work in A.D. 999, the reigning monarch, Sultan Mahmud Ghaznavi, was staggered by its size and instead offered him a silver coin for each couplet.
Ferdowsi turned down the offer and dejected returned to his home where he composed a sharp satire against the sultan.
Although he died penniless, his Shahnameh will for ever warm the hearts of Iranians.
The most famous characters in the Shahnameh are Rostam and his son, Sohrab, whose fight, culminating in the death of Sohrab at Rostam`s hand (he was not aware of the true identity of his son), is one of the most moving tragedies in classical Literature. Ferdowsi has rightly Been hailed as one of the greatest poets the world has produced.
Sultan Mahmud reputed to have four hundred poets attached to his court. These included many who Were great in their own right - Onsori, Farrokhi, Manuchehri, and Asadi, to mention some.
About Gonbad-e Harounieh in Khorasan province
In the vicinity of Mashhad, in the town of Tus, the birth place of Iran`s great epic poet Ferdowsi, there is a quadrangular mausoleum covered with a cupola, whose construction has been attributed to the 8th century A.H. (14th century A.D.).
The cupola is of the double- covering type and is made of kin-fired brick. The interior of the monument is simple and undecorated. There is a mihrab with plaster moldings in the northern part of the hall.
Above the main wall of the structure, there are a number of chambers, reminiscent of the construction of the mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar and Oljaitu.
About Sheykh Farideddin Attar in Khorasan province
Attar, one of the greatest Persian mystic poets, was probably killed in A.D. 1221 during the Mongol invasion. His famous work, Manteqat-Tair (the Logic of Birds), is considered one of the greatest poems ever written on the subject of the Sufi mystic for and love of God.
Khorassan Province, located in northeastern Iran, covers and area of 313,000 square kilometers and it is the largest province of the country. Khorassan was a well-known name that in past centuries encompassing a wide cultural realm, a great part of which presently exists in Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. Khorassan Province is one ot the great historical and cultural centers of Iran containing the cities of Mashhad, Nayshabour, Birjand, Sabzevar, and the famous city of Tabas on the outskrits of the desert and the periphery of the province.
Until the 2nd century AH. (9th century AD) ther was a small village called Sanabad in the present location of Mashhad. After the martyrdom of His Holiness Imam Reza (A.S.) in this place, this city was called Mashhad Moghadas (Sacred Mashhad).
Ever since, his tomb had became the place of pilgrimage for Shi'ite Muslims of the world and has gained an ever-increasing importance. Today, the holy shrine of His Holiness Imam Reza(A.S.), which has undergone many ups and downs along history, is one of the most important and valuable samples of the Islamic art and architecture.
Imam Reza Museum in Mashhad is one of the largest cultural and artistic treasuries, especially because of its handwritten manuscripts and paintings. Goharshad Mosque, Sabz (green) Dome, Khajeh Rabii and Arsalan Jazeb Mausoleums, Robat (caravansarai) Sharaf, Kalat Naderi, and Kooh Sangi are amongst other historical sites of Mashhad.
The traditional Bazaar of Mashhad, a magnificent one and the place for supplying different goods, is another eye-catching place in this city. New Bazaar, named Bazaar Reza, is the place for supplying different handicrafts and other products of Khorassan.
Toos is located 28 km. northwest of Mashhad on the road to Shirvan-Gorgan. Once Toos was one of the large cities of Khorassan, but today there exists only the remains of the old wall of the city and the tomb of Ferdowsi, the great poet of Iran.
Neyshabour, 110 km. southwest of Mashhad, is located on the way to Sabzevar. This city, one of the important cities of Iran, once the capital city of the Seljukids in the 5th century AH for some times, but today what remains from its past magnificence are only a few vestiges in the old part of the city. The tomb of Khayyam, whose rubaiyats are recited eagerly all around the world, is located in this city. The tombs of some great Iranian men of letters and arts like Sheikh Attar and Kamal-ol-Molk are also in this city.
Tabas is one of the most famous cities on the margin of the desert and is situated in southeast to Mashhad. The wall and the old part of the city, which were badly damaged by an earthquake still remains. Tabas is one of the cities of Iran's arid and desert regions worth seeing. Tabas Guest House, with suitable accommodation facilities, entertains the tourists in an acceptable level.
Semnan Province :
Semnan province, on the southern slopes of Alborz mountain range, is located between latitudes 34 56' and 37 13' N. and longitudes 51 48' and 56 57' E.
This province is bounded on the north by Mazandaran province, on the south by Esfahan province, on the east by Khorasan province and on the west by Markazi and Tehran provinces.
It has an area of 91,554 square kilometers and according to the latest civil divisions in 1995, it has 4 counties namely Semnan , Damqan, Shahrud and Garmsar ,14 towns, 9 rural districts and 29 villages.
The center of this province is Semnan.
About Bastam Jame Mosque in Semnan province
The original construction of the mosque dates from the Seljukid period (early 5th century = 11th century A.D.), and there remains nothing but an ancient wall of this early monument today.
The brick Seljukid minaret of the mosque is, however, extant and its Kufic inscription gives us the date A.H. 14 (A.D. 1120).
In the reign of Sultan Muhammad Khodabandeh Uljeitu, the Muslim Mongol Ilkhan, other structures were added to the Seljukid constructions, including an impressive ivan built in A.H. 717 (A.D. 1317) by the Damghani architect, Muhammad ibn Hussein, whose name has been inscribed in Masjid-i-Jami, and also in the Mihrab of the adjoining mosque.
Southwest panel
A panel on the southwest side of the entrance portal to the sanctuary of Bayazid Bastami at Bastam (A.D. 1313; A.H. 713). Two overall patterns in glazed tile adorn the wall.
About Cheshme Ali in Semnan province
Recreation pavilion from Safavid times situated at a tree-lined pool which is fed by a spring, near Cheshmeh Ali.
About Chehel Dokhtaran tomb tower in Semnan province
The monument, belongs to the Seljukid period 466/1073, the height of the building is 15 meters, it is onion shaped, and it has a beautiful inscription on the outside of the tower.
About Farumad Mosque in Semnan province
The original construction of this great historic monument belongs to the 7th century A.H. (13th century A.D.). Today nothing but the ruins of that impressive structure may catch the visitor`s eye.
About Mausoleum of Baba Qasem in Semnan province
The Madrasa and the Mausoleum of Baba Qasem have been built in the year 741 (A.D. 1340), as indicated by the portal inscription, which gives the name of the constructor as Sulayman ibn al_hassan Talut of Damqan.
The Madrasa had been adjacent to Baba Qasem Its pyramidal brick cupola, with attractive mosaic tile decorations, ranks among Isfahan`s most remarkable historical remains. Inside the mausoleum, under the cupola, there is background of turquoise-colored tiles. An inscription in white Thulth cha.
Situated to the north of the Jameh Mosque, the mausoleum of Baba Qassem was built at around the same time, a completion date inscribed as 1340. The cupola is of a style that was to become very popular in the following century. Prior to 1928 the mausoleum was in rather indifferent condition, being used as a paper factory and then as a stable. Since, however, it has been restored to something of its former charm.
About Tarikhana Mosque in Semnan province
Before the advent of Islam, the city of Damqan in its period of splendor, was the most important city on the main Silk Road. In the Parthian period, the city was the central capital of the Parthians. The Greek had named the city (Hegatempolis) which meant the city of a hundred gates.
The discovery of ancient monuments such as Tapeh-Hesar gives evidence of the importance of this city. Such discoveries also give evidence of a four thousand year old Aryan civilization in this region.
The intense prejudice of the Sassanids against the Parthians was the main cause behind the destruction of this immense center of civilization. Of the one hundred gates which surrounded the capital of the powerful Parthian empire, not one remains.
After the advent of Islam in Iran, the only Sassanid monument of this region, the Tarikhaneh fire temple, was turned into a mosque. Tari-khana Mosque, 8th century, is the oldest extant mosque in Iran and although in the simple Arab plan it retains many elements recalling Iran`s pre-Islamic heritage.
The massive piers and the shape of the arches follow Sassnian prototypes.
Although its foundation dates from the eighth century and it has been restored on several occasions, the mosque stillkeep its original plan and impressive simplicity.
The architectural changes of the interior of the Tarikhaneh are related to the social changes in Damqan during the fall of the Sassanid reign. The transformation of the fire temple into a mosque goes back to the end of the second century and beginning of the third century, when the House of Espahdan Bavandi of Hezarjarib- a city in the province of Mazandaran introduced Islam to it`s neighboring cities.
The mosque of Nayin is architecturally similar to this mosque. Most probably the mosque of Nayin was also a fire temple which was turned into a mosque at about the same period. The outstanding characteristics of the Tarikhaneh are it`s solidity and simplicity as well as it`s grandeur.
Twenty-six of the original forty columns are still standing and in spite of the original structure being Zoroastrian, the architects who reconstructed the interior to build a mosque, have captured the soul and simplicity of the first Islamic mosques.
The mystical atmosphere of the mosque gives evidence of the architects understanding of Islamic brotherhood and honesty. Many of the Silk Road travelers have knelt in prayer in this mosque and many will continue to do so in the future.
Semnan Province is located in the east of Khorassan Province, composed of desert and mountains. In the past, this province was crossed by the Silk Road and thus monuments belonging to that province like Bayazid Bastami, Sheikh A. Khraghani, and Ibn-Yamin have global fame.
Esfahan and Bakhtiari
Esfahan Province :
This province is situated in a wide area in Iran plateau, which is 104,650 sq, Kms. and has a population 3,774,204 (1992).
Zayandeh Rud, which is the greatest and the most famous river in the center of Iran, irrigates most of the agricultural lands, From west to east of this province, from Zardkuh to Batlaq-e-Gavkhuhi (Marsh).
Since ancient times, the kings of varius dynasties were interested in Esfahan Province for being the center of government, Historians and tourists, due to the fertility of its agricultural lands and being located between Zagros Mountain and central plain of Iran.
Esfahan is counted one of the richest provinces in Iran, due to having many tourists visiting the monuments which are remained from different period .Most of these historical places are from the Saljuq and Safavid petiods.
Moreover the historical monuments, Zayandeh Rud is another tourist attraction place. Esfahan province has a moderate climate and four regular seasons, the maximum rainfall is in winter and the minimum in autumn. It is cold and snowy in winter and moderate in summer.
Esfahan province having the highest rate of occupation in industry , is known as an industrial center in Iran. Rapid development of industry in this province makes it the greatest industrial center in the country.
The most important industries and industrial of Esfahan are as follows. Mobarakeh steel factory , Steel Mill Refinery ,Defensive industries, Medicine manufacturing factory, Polyacril factory, textile and weaving industries and handicraft sites etc.
The city of Isfahan, internationally well known for its beauty, has a long history. This city was probably constructed in the Achaemenian era. During the reign of Ardavan V (222-24 BC.) Sepahan or Espehan was one of the states of Iran. In the Sassanian time, Isfahan was a garrison city, conquered by Moslems in the year 19 AH and ever since it was was divided into two sections composed of Moslem dwellers (Shahrestan)and Jewish dwellers (Yahhodieh).
In the year 1,000 AH, the capital of the Safavids was transferred from Qazvin to Isfahan. Isfahan holds a treasury of tourist attractions the most important of which are as follows:
About Ali Mosque in Esfahan province
The minaret of Masjid-i `Ali is also one of the minarets of the Seljukid period, built entirely of brick and bearing four inscription friezes in the Kufic calligraphic style. Of these, one is of brick and the rest, of enameled blue tiles. The minaret is over 40 meters high.
The original construction of the mosque dates back to the Saljukid epoch, having, later on, been repaired under the Safavid.
The portal inscription of the mosque is in (thulth) style with golden characters, and is by Shams al-Din of Tabriz.
It indicates that the Seljukid Masjid-i Ali had fallen in ruins and had remained so until the reign of the Safavid Shah Ismail who ordered and completed its reconstruction by a certain Mirza Kamal al-Din (929 A.H. = 1522 A.D.).
In the eastern and western ivans of the mosque, there are also two more inscriptions dated 974 and 1013 A.H. (1566 and 1604 A.D.) respectively. As regards the construction of the mosque, its architectural techniques, superb ornamentation, numerous ivans, impressive prayer hall, brick cupola with stalactite decorations inside, beautiful tileworks, and multi-styled inscriptions, make it one of Isfahan`s important and rare historic mosques.
About Si-o-Se pol in Esfahan province
The Bridge of Allahverdi Khan across the Zayandeh Rud is a continuation of Chahar Bagh, the principal street in Isfahan. Built at the beginning of the 17th century at the order of Shah Abbas, it is named after the general-a famous war- chief- who was put in charge of the work. It is also called the Bridge of 33 Arches, or Si-o-Se Pol.
It is 45 feet wide and 175 yards long but- although it is impressive looking- it does not have the same archaeological or aesthetic interest as the two other bridges farther downstream.
This bridge is located in the southern end of Chahar Bagh Avenue in Isfahan and was named after its founder. It is also known as Jolfa bridge.
The bridge is made of bricks and stones. It is 295 meters long and 13.75 meters wide. It is said that the bridge originally comprised 40 arches however this number gradually reduced to 33.
According to numerous historical references concerning the buildings constructed during Shah Abbas the Safavid in Isfahan, it is so conceived that the construction work of this bridge was completed concurrent with the construction of Chahar Bagh in 1596. This bridge is called Si-o-Se Pol (in Farsi meaning 33 bridges) because it embraces 33 arches.
About Chahar Bagh in Esfahan province
The American scholar, Arthur Upham Pope, whose monument A Survey of Persian Art in six volumes is indispensable to all students of that subject, describes this Madrasa as (perhaps the last great building in Iran).
It was built between 1706 and 1714 during the reign of Shah Sultan Hussein, the last of the Safavids.
The Shah`s mother is said to have paid for the building and also for the adjoining carvanserai which was to provide the School`s endowment and which Yas converted in 1962-65 into what perhaps the most surprising and luxurious hotel in the Middle East.
The great tiled dome over the sanctuary at the north end of the building is covered with large arabesques in yellow, black and white against a brilliant turquoise background. Round the drum runs a band of contrasting lapis lazuli blue decorated with whitecalligraphic inscriptions.
The brilliance of coloring of the dome and minarets is emphasized by the Khaki-colored brick work below.
Lord Curzon, statesman and traveler, whose Persia and the Persian Question, published in1892, is a mine of individual information, described the Madrasa as (one of the stateliest ruins that I saw in Persia).
However, it has been skillfully restored and is still used as a mosque, though no longer as a seminary.
About Chehel Sotoun in Esfahan province
This building -now a veritable museum of Persian painting and ceramics -was a pleasure pavilion used for the king`s entertainment`s and receptions.
It stands inside a vast royal park, but relatively near the enclosure, and was built by Shah Abbas II round an earlier building erected by Shah Abbas I. An inscription states that the decoration and frescoes were finished in 1647. Only two large historical frescoes date from the later period of the Zand dynasty. Unfortunately, the Chehel Sotun has been badly damaged since then, especially when the Afghans occupied the town and covered the paintings with a thick coat of whitewash. It is now being extensively restored under the aegis of the Institute Italiano Per il Medio Orient.
The pavilion opens onto the gardens by means of an elegant terrace, only a few steps high and supported by slender, delicate wooden pillars. In reality, there were never more than twenty columns, but they were reflected in the pool in the park, and so the Persian liked to call the building the (pavilion with forty columns) (besides, the number 40 had a symbolic meaning in Persia and expressed respect and admiration). Two rows of waterspouts and fountains in the shape of stone lions at the four corners carried water to the huge, elegant rectangular basin.
The terrace is a marvel of elegance. The slender pillars support a light wooden ceiling with wide fretwork louvers. Here we should note the influence of Eastern Asian architecture. Part of the sumptuous decoration has disappeared. We must picture the back wall covered with mirrors, the doors of rare carved wood, and the pillars, each cut from a single lane-tree trunk, with their fine eneer, their brightly colored paintings, their mirrors and studs of colored glass. We still have the remarkable ceiling its beams, its covering, its painted wood louvers, and its carefully lay-work-rosettes and suns, stars, stylized fruit and foliage. The great wooden ceilings-a rare luxury in a country so acking in trees-are among guarded by four lions which support the central columns.
The palace is called Chehel Sotun because of the number of the columns of this monument. Each column is formed of a plain tree on the skin of which a thin layer of colored board has been fitted. This layer was formerly covered with colored pieces of glass and mirror.
All the walls used to be decorated with large mirrors and colored peices of glass and beautiful paintings. Inlaid work was a characteristic of all doors and windows.
The pool in front of the building is 110 meters long and 16 meters wide. Four stone lions have been placed on the four sides of a pond in the center of the hall from whose open mouths water streams down. And finally the unique ceiling of the 18 column portico and the mirror work on the ceiling of the hall are eyecatching. The paintings demonstrating the parties held by Shah Abbas the great, and reception of Mohammad Vali Khan, the king of Turkistan, the war between Shah Ismail the first and the Ottoman forces in Chaldoran, the reception party in honor of Homayun the king of India and in the eastern section, in front of the painting scene of Shah Abbas` war with the Uzbeks, is seen the war waged by Nader Shah of Afshar dynasty against the Hindus in Kornal.
About Darb-I Emam in Esfahan province
This historical edifice has been constructed in the course of the 9th century A.H. (15th century A.D.), and according to an inscription inside its cupola, the date of building is the year A.H. 857 (A.D. 1453), in the reign of Jahan-Shah Aq Qoyunlu.
The monument comprises two cupolas covered with enameled tiles, three courtyards, two portals, a gallery, an arcade, a tomb-chamber, two Imamzadehs, and the resting-place of Jahanshah Aq Qoyunlu`s mother.
From the standpoint of architecture, mosaic tilework, and plaster inscription friezes of excellent expertise, this monument is one of the highest historical fame.
Extensive repairs have been carried out in the monument under the Safavids.
Its inscription in Thulth characters and the fine mosaic tile decorations of its portal stand among the most precious artistic achievements of the period.
About Dashti Mosque in Esfahan province
On account of its huge eighth-century brick dome of the Mongol period, this mosque ranks among the most important and famous monuments of the epoch.
In its present state, there is no inscriptional evidence in the Mosque to indicate the definite date of its construction or the name of the founder. Other ruins can be traced all around this historical monument, including the site of minarets erected nearby, of which nothing remains today.
About Chehel Dokhtaran tower in Esfahan province
Built in A.D. 1107-8, this is the only remians of an old mosque that nowaday is vanished.
About Hakim Mosque in Esfahan province
This Mosque has been constructed by Muhammad Davud Hakim in the year A.H. 1067 (A.D. 1656), in the reign of Shah Abbas II.
It possesses remarkable tile decorations, a variety of ornamental designs, and many beautiful inscriptions, all of which combine to make it one of Isfahan`s important historical monuments.
About Harun-e-Velayat in Esfahan province
The construction of Harun-e-Velayat or Haruniyeh is composed of a cupola, a tomb-box, two courtyards and two portals beautifully ornamented with mosaic tiles. It has been erected in 918 A.H. (1512 A.D.), in the reign of the Safavid monarch, Shah Ismail, and has later been repaired under other sovereigns of the same dynasty. Its tileworks have earned this monument a well-deserved place among Isfahan`s historical remains.
Innumerable inscriptions in different calligraphic styles, set on mosaic tile background, are found in this monument, including the inscription of its ancient stone through. Some lines of verse from the Safavid and Qajar times can also be seen in the mausoleum and the porch. The superb tile-decorated cupola of the monument also bears an inscription in Kufic around its base.
About Hasht Behesht in Esfahan province
The Hasht Behesht (The Eight Paradise Palazzo) is an octagonal structure, typical of many royal palaces in Isfahan. Commissioned by Shah Sulieman, it was built about 1669 (about A.H. 1081).
The garden, is visible at all times through the great arches, is an integral part of the structure.
The domed ceiling of the main reception room is painted in purple on a glittering gold base, while above the windows, in the lantern dome, fragments of mirror sparkle in the light.
Painting on the outer blind arches.
Painted tile designs of birds, animals, and hunting scenes, found on the spandrels of the outer blind arches, enliven the facades of the Hasht Behesht in Isfahan.
Hunting was a favorite pastime of the Shahs. Seven days before the court`s departure for a hunting trip the tents, rugs, gold services, and other prerequisites for the camp were sent off.
From five to seven thousand camels were needed to transport this equipage.
The splendor of these hunting camps may be judged from the fact that each nobleman was allotted some five hundred square feet for his tent. Under the silk-lined canopies were rooms for his harem, a bath, and a reception hall.
The interiors were carpeted, strewn with soft cushions and draped in shimmering brocades.
Pools and waterways adorned the site, and flowers blossomed in these (gardens for a day or two.)
The ceiling in a second floor reception room of the Hasht Behesht glistens with mirror decoration.
The Hasht Behesht enhanced Chardin, writing in 1676. (When one walks in this place expressly made for the delights of love, and when one passes through all these cabinets and niches, one`s heart is melted to such an extent that, to speak candidly, one always leaves with a very ill grace. The climate without doubt contributes much towards exciting this amorous disposition; but assuredly these places, although in some respects little more than cardboard castles, are nevertheless more smiling and agreeable than our most sumptuous palaces.)
About Imamzadeh Ibrahim in Esfahan province
Billah, the Abbasid Caliph There is a group of ancient constructions in the village of Shahrestan, which are known under the names Shah Zadeh Ibrahim and Shah Zadeh Hussein. There is also brick cupola in Seljukid style in this region, which, according to the resting-place of Khalifeh al-Rashid Billah, the Abbasid. Caliph assassinated in A.H. 532 (A.D. 1137), in Isfahan and buried in this locality. Adjacent to these monuments, there are also two minarets of the Seljukid epoch.
About Imamzadeh Ismail in Esfahan province
The original construction of the Imamzadeh and the mosque is attributed to early Islamic period.
Its minaret and part of the present monument belong to the Seljukid times. Under the Safavids, other structures, including the mausoleum, porches and a courtyard have been added to the initial building.
On the whole, this monument possesses considerable architectural and decorative attraction.
In its present state, the monument consists of a very old mosque, the mausoleum of an Imamzadeh, a gallery, a portal, a beautiful large dome, the courtyard, the mausoleum of Shaya, a prayer hall, an ivan, a sanctuary (harem), the tomb-stone of Shah Ismail Safavid daughter, a magnificent door, Qazi Safi al-Din Muhammad`s tomb, several stone-troughs and a series of decorative tile works, stucco ornaments and a superb tile tablet, and numerous historical inscription from the Safavid period.
About Imamzadeh Jafar in Esfahan province
This is one of the exquisite constructions of the early 8th century A.H. (14th century A.D.) and is also called the Jafariyeh Mausoleum, being the resting-place of the Jafar ibn Morteza, a famous religious personality of the period.
There are two inscription friezes along the exterior cornice of the edifice, which is an octagonal structure covered by a cupola, which in its earlier state seems to have had a pyramidal covering now disappeared.
Of the twin exterior inscriptions, one is in Kufic and the other, in Thulth calligraphic style, produced on a background of azure faience tile.
There is also a tablet on the entrance portal in white Thulth characters set on a faience tile background. Inside the tomb, there is the usual tombstone, which bears an inscription comprising the name and titles of the cornice inscription of the cupola gives the date A.H. 725 (A.D. 1324) while the date of the death of the deceased is also given in the tombstone inscription as mir-Muharram, A.H. 725.
About Masjed Jameh (Esfahan) in Esfahan province
Isfahan, one of the Jameh Mosque`s treasures is this exquisitely rendered stucco mihrab commissioned by Sultan Oljaitu in 1310.
The mihrab (prayer niche) lies at one end of a hall, sixty five feet long and twenty five feet wide, with tiled grilles on the courtyard side through which shafts of lights spill across the brick floor.
Arabesques, interlacing vines and calligraphy, leaves and lotus flowers are delicately incised upon the golden stucco surface of this inspired mihrab.
About Khaju Bridge in Esfahan province
The Bridge of Khaju or pole-i-Khaju, the most famous of Isfahan bridges, has roused the admiration of travelers since the 17th century. There was an earlier bridge across the river at the same spot, near the district of Khaju on the old Shiraz road; this was probably built in the reign of Timurian sovereign, one of the successors of Tamerlane (15th century).
Shah Abbas II built the present structure round about 1650. It has 23 arch and are 436 feet long and 39 feet wide. It is also a dam; sluice gates between the piers closed the canals, raising the water level upstream so that large reserves could be collected for irrigating the surrounding gardens. With its two stories of arcades with intersecting arches, its stone steps downstream with the water cascading over them, and its two large pavilions in the center- (The Prince` Parlors)- this bridge is a masterpiece of balance and harmony.
The outer side of the arcades is decorated with richly colored tiles, and the interior of the pavilions with more recent paintings. Shah Abbas the second of the Safavid dynasty on the ruins of Hassan Baik Bridge in 1650 or 1655.The bridge has been known with a variety of titles including Pol-e-Shahi, Pol-e-Khaju, Pol-e-Baba Rokneddin, and Pol-e-Gabrha built this bridge. The bridge is 105 meters long and 14 meters wide. The pass way of the bridge is 7.5 meters wide, made of bricks and stones with 21 larger and 26 smaller inlet and outlet channels. The pieces of stone used in this bridge are over 2 meters long and the distance between every channel and the ceiling base is 20 meters. The existing inscriptions suggest that the bridge was repaired in 1873.
About Mosque of Shaykh Lutf Allah in Esfahan province
The Mosque of Shaykh Lutf Allah on the east side of Maydan-i-Imam (Naqsh-i-Jahan) is a pleasantly proportioned small sanctuary preceded by a shady square and a large pool It was built by Shah Abbas I between 1602 and 1619. It is named after scholar of Islam who was greatly venerated at the time.
A native of Lebanon, this Shaykh was invited by the king, first to Mashhad, near the sanctuary of the Imam Reza, then to the capital where he has put in charge of the king`s mosque and the school of theology. The great originality of the cupola is due to the cream or ink according to the time of day-ground color to which the artist has added a very delicate decoration of serried arabesques and black and blue flowers. The turquoise and sapphire shades of classic Safavid art appear only on the drum and right at the top.
The decoration of the entrance portal consists of vault with stalactite and blue and yellow mosaics, and anticipates that of the great ivans of the Imam`s Mosque. Here, however, the subjects are amazingly varied, as for instance on the panel showing two peacocks framing a flower vase filled with luxuriant branches. This small mosque has no central inner courtyard; there is only a small prayer hall which is approached by a corridor. But it is a real gem in which the art of mural mosaics in Isfahan reached its peak. There is not a flaw in the quality of the materials.
The balance and harmony of the colors. The walls are entirely faced with sumptuous ornamental (carpets) of gilt geometrical designs on a splendid bluish-green background. All round the large panels are stringcourses on which the Persian calligraphers have drawn elegant white lettering. The inscription in the mihrab gives the name of the architect: a poor and humble man, seeking God`s mercy, called Ustad Mohammed Reza, the son of Ustad Hussein, architect in Isfahan in 1028 (of the hegira). The mihrab itself is a model of its kind with its high niche and ceramic facings.
The entrance vestibule The decoration of the entrance portal consists of vaults with stalactites and blue and yellow mosaics, and anticipates that of the great ivans of the Imam`s Mosque. Here, however, the subjects are amazingly varied, as for instance on the panel showing two peacocks framing a flower vase filled with luxuriant branches. Polychrome tileworks The Safavid period marks a high point of the polychromatic decoration of buildings, techniques being developed that enable the builders of Isfahan to cover almost every surface that could be seen with brightly colored glazeness.
Entrance to the Sanctuary To enter the Mosque, one passes hrough a narrow, bending passageway whose darkness confers an aura of mystery that contrast perfectly with the sudden impact of the softly lit spaciousness of the chamber. The Safavid period marks a high point of the polychromatic decoration of buildings, techniques being developed that enable the builders of Isfahan to cover almost every surface that could be seen with brightly colored glazeness.
The Main Prayer Hall This small mosque has no central inner courtyard; there is only a small prayer hall which is approached by a corridor. But it is a real gem in which the art of mural mosaics in Isfahan reached its peak. There is not a flaw in the quality of the materials. The balance and harmony of the colors. The walls are entirely faced with sumptuous ornamental (carpets) of gilt geometrical designs on a splendid bluish-green background. All round the large panels are stringcourses on which the Persian calligraphers have drawn elegant white lettering.
The inscription in the mihrab gives the name of the architect: a poor and humble man, seeking God`s mercy, called Ustad Mohammed Reza, the son of UstadHussein, architect in Isfahan in 1028 (of the hegira). The mihrab itself is a model of its kind with its high niche and ceramic facings. Dome of the Shaykh Lutf Allah Mosque This exquisite building, more private oratory than public mosque, was erected by Shah Abbas I between 1603 and 1618 on the Royal Maydan (Maydan-i-Imam) facing the Ali Qapo Palace.
It is named after the Shah`s father-in-law who was a respected divine. There are a number of unusual features about the building: its squat and partly unglazed dome; the absence of a central court and ivans; the single sunken sanctuary chamber covered from top to bottom in mosaic faience of the highest quality. The 42 ft. wide dome rests on a drum pierced by 16 small windows, through whose double grilles the light plays. The tilework of the ceiling is perhaps the most intricate in Isfahan and has the quality of a finely woven carpet. The building was extensively and skillfully restored between 1954 and 1956.
About Minar Jonban in Esfahan province
The tombstone of Amu Abdollah bears the Hijrah date of 716 A.H. (1316 A.D.) and two minarets, one on either side of the mausoleum ivan, from the main attraction of this place, since any movement produced in one of them is automatically reflected not only in the other minaret, but even in the whole ivan. Hence, the popular name (Minar-i Jonban).
The architectural style of the monument is that of the Mogul period. The ivan of the mausoleum has been ornamented with four-pointed and polygonal azure tiles, and an inscription on the tombstone reads as follows: (This is the tomb of the virtuous,god-fearing Sheikh, Amu Abdollah ibn Muhammad ibn Mahmud Saqla, my God less his soul. Dated (17th Zil-Hijja, 716 A.H.).
One of the stunning historical buildings in Isfahan is Menarjonban which is located 6 kilometers west of the city of Isfahan, on the way to Najaf Abad in a village called Karlatan. The architectural style here belongs to the 14th century (Mongol style) complemented with dark blue tiles in the form of stars decorating two arches and the sides of the portico. If you climb up the very narrow stairway to the top of one of these two shaking minarets and lean hard against the wall it will start to sway back and forth, and so will its twin. This situation, according to experts has occurred gradually with the passage of time.
About Naghsh-e Jahan in Esfahan province
On the present site of Maidan-i-Imam before Isfahan became the Safavid capital, there used to be another square called naqsh-i-Jahan (Design of the world), much smaller than the square today.
It was Shah Abbas the Great who made Isfahan his capital and then decreed that the square should be extended to its present size, and lovely buildings set around it. The length of this great square, which is actually rectangular, is 500 meters from north to south, and its width about 150 meters from east to west. It was laid out and beautified in the reign of Shah Abbas the Great, at the beginning of the seventeenth century. From that time until sixty years ago the square presented a very different aspect from the square to day.
The whole area of the square within the limits of the water channels round it was quite level, while to the north and south stood two goal posts for the game of polo. Those two goals posts are still in position but replanning with large pool in the center, and lower beds round has transformed the square and given it a completely new look. Most of the buildings round are two-storied and the alcoves simply decorated.
To the south of Maidan can be seen the great pile of Abbasi Jami (Masjid-i-Shah) - the Royal Mosque a vista of blue, - to the east is Sheikh Lutf Allah Mosque quite unequaled - to the west the royal palace of Shah Abbas the Great, Ali Qapo and to the north the Qaysariyeh gateway leading to the Royal Bazaar. The most noteworthy feature of the square is the way in which in sunshine and shade and the varying lights of the day, the whole wonderful expanse takes on a hundred different aspects each more attractive and lovely. If, as some foreign travelers have said, (Isfahan is the heart of the Orient), then Maidan-i-Imam is certainly the heart of Isfahan.
We can still appreciate its wonder on viewing it today, but imagination is needed to recapture the glory of four centuries ago. Let us try to imagine Isfahan four centuries ago. First place a hundred and ten cannons a hundred and ten paces from each side of the entrance to Ali Qapo palace, for a hundred and ten computed in the ancient letters gives the name of the Prophet`s son-in-law, Ali, who was especially venerated by the Safavid King. The palace itself has all the dazzling beauty of the period, lovely doors and all kind of expensive objects and furnishings.
Shah Abbas, of the piercing glance, sits there, surrounded by all the important personalities and ambassadors of the day, Persians and foreigners, and from the lofty gallery views the polo and other maneuvers of his Qezelbash guards below.
This will give you some idea of Isfahan`s former greatness. The Qaysariyeh and the entrance of the Royal Bazaar, built in 1619, stand at the north end of the Maidan. The frescoes and painted pendentives of this gateway are still worth note. The frescoes, which picture the war of Shah Abbas, the Great with the Uzbecks, have faded badly in the air and sunlight, but the roof pendentives are still in good condition. Above the gateway here is some lovely mosaic tiling: these show the play of the star Sagittarius, the Archer, for in the old day eastern writers considered that Isfahan was under the influence of this star.
The symbol of the archer shows a creature, half-man, half-tiger, with a large snake for its tail and this is depicted in the tilework here.
The doorway of the Qaysariyeh opens into the Royal Bazaar, where you can find all kinds of hand-woven, hand-printed cloth being sold and you can also go in and see how the patterns are made and applied. This Bazaar has a wonderful painted crossroads, dating from Safavid times, the most beautiful and most important arches crossroads in Isfahan. At that same period, the upper galleries of the gateway used to contain bands of musicians and at sunset each evening the bands would strikes up, with kettle-drums, trumpets, horns and all kinds of military music.
About Nimavand in Esfahan province
Built by Zinat Baigum, in the reign of Shah Sulaiman, this is one of Esfahan`s famous Madrasa highly popular with the students of theology. It has ample tile and stucco ornamentation`s and fine portal stalactites, of which a good many have survived together with some verse inscription friezes.
About Pir-e-Bakran Tomb in Esfahan province
The tomb of Pir-e-Bakran, together with a gallery and courtyard date back to 8th. century A.H. (14th.century A.D.) and have been constructed in the reign of the Mogul Ilkhan Uljaitu.
This complex of structures bears two dates, namely 703 and 712 A.H. (1303 and 1312 A.D.), and possesses excellent stucco decorations and tilework inscriptions in Thulth and Kufic calligraphy and a series of inscription plaster works add considerably to the grandeur and charm of this monument.
The mausoleum is that of an eighth century pious man, Muhammad ibn Bakran and consists of a gallery, a courtyard, a portal and the actual tomb.
The name of the constructor and decorator of this superb building, given in the inscription, is Mohammed Naghaash (the painter), and his work ranks among the masterpieces of the decorative arts in Iran.
About Ali Qapu in Esfahan province
The name Ali Qapu, (Magnificent Gate), was given to this place as it was right at the entrance to the Safavid palaces which stretched from the Maidan Naqsh-i-Jahan to the Chahar Bagh Boulevard.
The building, another wonderful Safavid edifice, was built by decree of Shah Abbas the Great in the early seventeenth century. It was here that the great monarch used to entertain noble visitors, and foreign ambassadors.
Shah Abbas, here for the first time celebrated the Now - ruz (New Year`s Day) of 1006 AH / 1597 A.D. A large and massive rectangular structure, the Ali Qapu is 48 meters high and has six floors, fronted with a wide terrace whose ceiling is inlaid and supported by wooden columns.
Ali Qapu is rich in naturalistic wall paintings by Reza Abbassi, the court painter of Shah Abbas I, and his pupils. There are floral, animal, and bird motifs. The highly ornamented doors and windows of the palace have almost all been pillaged at times of social anarchy. Only one window on the third floor has escaped the ravages of time.
Ali Qapu was repaired and restored substantially during the reign of Shah Sultan Hussein, the last Safavid ruler, but fell into a dreadful state of dilapidation again during the short reign of invading Afghans. under the Qajar Nasir al-Din shah`s reign (1848-96), the Safavid cornices and floral tiles above the portal were replaced by tiles bearing inscriptions.
Shah Abbas II was enthusiastic about the embellishment and perfection of Ali Qapu. His chief contribution was given to the magnificent hall, the constructures on the third floor. The 18 columns of the hall are covered with mirrors and its ceiling is decorated with great paintings.
The chancellery was stationed on the first floor. On the sixth, the royal reception and banquets were held. The largest rooms are found on this floor. The stucco decoration of the banquet hall abounds in motif of various vessels and cups. The sixth floor was popularly called (the music room).
Here various ensembles performed music and sang songs. From the upper galleries, the Safavid ruler watched polo, maneuvers and the horse-racing opposite the square of Naqsh-i-Jahan.
Cause of Denomination
The Ali Qapu has multiple connotations, but generally connotes entrance or supreme gate to the complex of palaces and public buildings of the Safavid Government.
Construction Stages
The Ali Qapu building was founded in several stages, beginning from a building with a single gate, with entrance to the government building complex, and gradually developed, ending in the existing shape.
The period of the development, with intervals lasted approximately seventy years.
First Stage :
The initial building acting as entrance to the complex was in cubical shape and in two stories, with dimensions measuring 20 x 19 meter and 13 meter high.
Second Stage :
Foundation of the upper hall, built on the entrance vestibule, with cubical shape, over the initial cubic shape structure with the same height in two visible stories.
Third Stage :
Foundation of the fifth story, the music amphitheater or music hall, built on the lower hall, using the central room for sky light, and thus the vertical extension being emphasized.
Fourth Stage :
Foundation of the eastern verandah or pavilion advancing towards the square, supported by the tower shaped building. By foundation of this verandah, the entrance vestibule was extended along the main gate and passage to the market, perpendicular to the eastern flank of the building.
Fifth Stage :
Foundation of the wooden ceiling of the verandah, supported by 18 wooden columns, and contemporaneous with erection of the ceiling, an additional stairway of the southern flank was founded and was called the Kingly Stairway.
Sixth Stage :
During this stage a water tower was built in the northern flank for provision of water for the copper pool of the columned verandah.
Plaster decorations in reception story and music hall.
The room on the sixth floor is also decorated with plasterwork, representing pots and vessels and one is famous as the music and sound room. It is certainly well worth visiting for the cut out decorations round the room, which represent a considerable artistic feat.
These cut out shapes were not placed there to act as cupboards: the stuccowork is most delicate and falls to pieces at the highest touch. So we conclude that it was placed in position in these rooms for ornament and decoration. The rooms were used for private parties and for the King`s musicians, and these hollow places in the walls retained the echoes and produced the sounds of the singing and musical instruments clearly in all parts.
Ceiling decorations
The decoration of the large room on the third floor which opens out on the large pillared hall, and which was used by Shah Abbas for entertaining his official guests is the most interesting. Fortunately the ceilings, on which birds are depicted in their natural colors, have remained without interference in their original state from Safavid times, and these are the best roofs in the building.
About Zayandeh Rud in Esfahan province
The Zayandeh Rud river watering gardens and fields with its numerous tributaries along its 360 km. course, flows from west to east through the city, and divides off Jolfa and some other suburbs from the main port of the city, but most of the main attractions are to the north of the river.
About Sheykh Abdolsamad tomb in Esfahan province
A group of splendid tiled and stucco buildings surround the shrine of the thirteenth century Sufi Teacher and mystic Shaykh Abd al-Samad Esfahani in the mountain town of Natanz.
The Shaykh`s tomb lies beyond the tiled facade of the khanaqah or Sufi monastery built in 1313. The tile work resembles in quality and design the contemporary work at Soltaniyyeh. It is likely that upon the completion of Oljaitu's tomb, craftsmen were despatched throughout the empire to ornament religious and public ornaments.
Isfahan Jame' Mosque representing different architectural styles after the advent of Islam;
Imam (Naghsh-e-Jahan) Square, constructed in the Safavid time, surrounded by Imam and Sheikh Lotfollah mosques as well as Ali-Ghapoo Palace;
Chehel Sotoon (40 pillars) Palace, a beautiful edifice constructed on a wide garden, and with many paintings on its interior walls;
Menar Jonban (Shaking Minarets), of unknown origin. It is very interesting due to the shaking of its minarets as well as its dome;
Two churches in Jolfa (Vang and Maryam) important historical mounuments belonging to Safavid era;
Zoroastrian fire-temple which predates Islam;
Khajoo, Siosehpol (33 arch) and Shahrestan bridges, which are constructed across Zayandeh Rood (River) and connect the Jolfa district to Isfahan (these bridges are important from an architectural point of view);
Zayandeh Rood, which crosses the city, is a natural habitat. People use its banks as recreational places. Some parks were constructed on its bank like Boostan, Mellat, and Ayneh Khaneh.
The Bazaar of Isfahan, with its chambers (old style of commerical offices) and caravansaries, is one of the historically valuable sites ot this city. This Bazaar is the main place for the transaction of handicrafts, some of which have a worldwide reputation and their names are synonymous with Isfahan. The most important of these handicrafts with a high artistic values that always are demanded by tourists are: inlaid work, enamel work, miniatures, paintings, illumination work, embossment work, turnery works, carpets, rugs, silver work, engraving work, crocheting, and ceramics.
Isfahan carpets, for their color, design and ornaments, are among the best in the world and have an international fame. Today, in addition to being the center of the province, Isfahan is one of the most industrialized cites of Iran. The main units of the steel industry of the country are centered in Isfahan, The other cities of this province are Kashan, Shahreza (Ghomsheh), Golpayegan, Natanz, Na'een, Ardestan, and Abyaneh which hold many tourism attractions.
Chahar Mahal and Bakhtiari Province, located in the western part of the country, is the main residence of Bakhtiari tribes who live a nomadic life. This province has a wonderful natural beauty with the landscapes of mountains, wetlands, rivers, springs, and caves which have totally changed this province into one of the most attractive provinces of the country. The beautiful natural landscape of this province can be compared with those of the Alps in Switzerland and Austria.
Fars and Boirahmad
Fars Province :
This province is located in south of Iran and is counted as one of the most famous provinces. This vast land is of the oldest civilization centers and was the capital for Iranian Kings for centuries. Two great Pre-Islamic kings, Cyrus the Great and Arashir-e-Babakan were from this land .
Cyrus the Great was founder of Achaemeind dynasty (kings of this dynasty reigned over Iran for 219 yeas) and were overthrown by Alexander the Great and Seleucids I and his son (311 B.C.), tried to bring the Greek civilization to Iran and constructed cities in Fars (Pars). At the same time local Iranian government came to power in the central part of Pars in Estakhr area. Although Fars was a part of Seleucids Empire , tillAntiochus IV period , but soon after his death (164 B.C.) it began to separate.
Parthians conquered the central part of Seleucids government and in this way Pars became independent. Splendid and important monuments are remained from different dynasties in this province , such as: Takht-e-Jamshid (persepolis) , Pasargad , Naqsh-e-Rostam, Kaabe Zardusht , Sarvestan Palace Shapur Cave , Shapur City (Bishapur) ,Band -e-Ami (Dam), Vakil Bazar and Ark-e-Vakil Mosque. Fars Province with an area of 126, 489 sq. Kms., is counted as one of the well-Known and important provinces in Iran for industry , agriculture and handicrafts (especially inlaying ) and has over 250 industrial sites.
This province has three different climates: 1-North and north west: is mountainous , so is cold , it rains and snows in winter and is moderate in summer. 2-South and south east: is moderate in winter and hot in summer. 3-Central part: is moderate and it rains in winter and is hot in summer .This province with a population of 3,767,983 in 1992, is the sixth most populous province in Iran.
About Atiq Mosque (Khoda Khaneh) in Fars province
The ancient Jami Mosque known also as the Jami or (Friday) mosque, is one of the oldest mosques in Iran and a relic of the days of the reign of Amr-ebn Leys, the Saffarid. It is a structure referred to many times in the writings of travelers such as the Ibn Battuta and Madame Dieulafoy.
The Saffarids were a people of Iranian stock who were originally from the province of Sistan.
During the course of their sovereignty, that is, from A.D.867 to 903, they did not neglect the construction of public buildings, of which the Jami Mosque, is a prime example despite the many conflicts they had with the Baghdad Caliphs and with local rivals. The construction of the Mosque was started in A.H. 281 (A.D. 894) as an act of thanksgiving following the victory of Amr Leys` forces over the armies of the Abbassid Caliph al-Movaffaq.
Through the years, the mosque has witnessed numerous catastrophes, as a result of which it has been rebuilt and restored many times, for example in the 12th and 13th century A.D., during the reign of the Atabak rulers of Fars, and in the 16th through 18th century A.D., during the Safavid epoch. The restoration of the Jami Mosque has continued during the auspicious reign of Pahlavi dynasty, with the cooperation of the Department of Archaeology and the charitable people of Fars province.
The Jami Mosque used to have six portals in different directions and numerous magnificent (Shabestans) or prayer-halls and chambers, some of which gradually fell into ruin and are no longer standing.
Formerly the (sahn), or the courtyard of the mosque was carpeted with marble, and there were stone basins in the vestibules wherein those entering the mosque would wash their feet before proceeding barefoot onto the courtyard. The most important portal of the mosque lies on the north side, and is known as (The twelve Imams).
Its piers and borders are of stone, and the rest is brickwork.
Both sides of the portal are decorated with glazed mosaic tiles.
The decoration consists of beautifully written verses from the Koran and (eslimi) or arabesque designs with flower-and-bird motifs.
Between this portal and the entrance of the mosque there is a hashti or (vestibule), around which a number of blind arches can be seen.
The ceiling of this section has been decorated with stalactites in a very interesting and appealing way, and is ornamented with Korani verses on all four sides.
There is also an inscription from the Safavid period here, which is the work of the famous calligrapher, Ali Jowhari. In the corner of the inscription appears its date.
About Delgosha Garden in Fars province
In southern entrance of Tang-e-Sadi in Shiraz, and beneath Nodar castle, there is a large garden, which is known as Delgosha. The garden is composed of a very large ground area located alongside the Boustan avenue which leads to the tomb of Sa`di. The walls of the garden is made of mud but the entrance portel is made of clay brick.
From the entrance of the garden to the building, which is located in the center of the garden, there is a waterfont and a cement street. Four streets have been constructed round the building leding to the walls of the garden.
On the sids of some of these streets there are cypress and pine trees. Orange, palm and walnut trees have been planted in other parts of the garden. There is a large pond right in front of the building.
This building has been erected on a platform and the lower part of the walls is covered with plain stone. The building inside the garden comes in three stories and the portal is decorated with glaze tiling. The doors of some of the rooms are quite old.
There is an octagonal structure on the first floor in the center of which is located a pond covered with blue tiles.
The ceiling of the building is a simple dome in the middle of which there is a vent. There are four royal rooms with four angels on the sides of the octagonal structure.
About Eram Garden in Fars province
BAGH-E ERAM, a famous and beautiful garden at Shiraz. Its site close to the embankment of the Rudkhana-ye Kushk was formerly on the northwestern fringe of the city but is now well inside the greatly expanded urban area.
The present garden and mansion are not very old but, like the other famous gardens of Shiraz, may well have replaced an earlier foundation. D. N. Wilber surmised that its antecedent may have been the Bag-e Shah mentioned in accounts o seed (Fasa`i, II, p. 164).
Forsat Shirazi, a contemporary of Fasa`i, praised the Bag-e Eram for its beautiful flowers, refreshing air, tall cypresses (a stately, beautiful cypress tree there known as sarv-e naz has long been a major tourist attraction), fragrant myrtles, flowing wa of the constructional work and praises of the then owner Nasir-al-Molk.
After the coup detat of 1332 5./1953 and the exile of the Qashqa`i brothers, who in the meantime had regained ownership of the Bag-e Eram, the government confiscated the garden and later on gave it to Pahlavi University (now the University of Shiraz).
Duringthis period the former mud walls were replaced with iron railings, old trees were cut down to make room for lawns, and a broad street named Eram Boulevard was laid out on the northwest side. Early during the revolution of 1357 5./1978-79. The Qashqa`is repossessed the garden; shortly afterward its owner Khosrow Khan dedicated it to the people of Shiraz.
The garden has now been made into a botanical garden and the mansion has been assigned to the Faculty of Law of the university. Bibliography: Mohammad-Nasir Forsat Shirazi, Atar-e `Ajam, Bombay, 1313/1895, repr. 1353/1934. D. N. Wilber, Persian Gardens and Garden Pavilions, Tokyo, 1962; tr. Mahindokht Saba, Bagha-ye Iran kuska-ye an, Tehran, 1348 5./1969. R. Pechere, -Etude de jardins historiques, in UNESCO, Iran, March, 1973. Mohammad-Taqi Mostafawi, Eqlim-e Pars, Tehran, 1343 5./1964; tr. R. N. Sharp, The Land of Pars, Chippenham, England, 1978, p. 315.
Eram garden is located in the center of Shiraz on the side of Eram Street. A leader of the Qashqai tribe known as Mohammad Ali Khan Ilkhani during the early 18th century made this garden. About 75 years later, Nasirolmolk bought the garden and Haj Mohammad Hassan, the prominent architect built its three storey building. This monument is a masterpiece from the Qajar dynasty in so far as architecture, painting, carvinf, tiling and stuccowork are concerned.
The lower sections of the building`s exterior are formed of 2 - meter - high plain and carved stones and on the eight columns there is the exihibt of two Qajar soldiers ans six inscriptions. The inscriptions have been inscribed by Mirza Ali Naghi Khoshnevis in Nastaligh style of writing. In the portal of the building there are three large and two small sessions.
The spring, which flows in the waterfronts, right in the middle of the building pours into ponds and grants Eram garden a great appeal. The cypress tree in this garden is quite famous.
About Hafez (Hafezieh) in Fars province
The celebrated Hafez was born in Shiraz in 1326 A.D. in Shiraz.
He is said to have known all the Koran by heart, hence earning the nick-name of Hafez (Memorizer).
With Ferdowsi he ranks as the most popular and best known poet in Iran. His collection (divan) consists of 693 poems, of which 573 are odes.
There are many who consider this modest work as the greate masterpiece of Persian Literature.
His tomb in Shiraz is visited by so many admirers that it may be regarded as a shrine.
Hafez spent most of his life in Shiraz and was buried in the Mosalla garden on the banks of the Roknabad stream, which he often celebrated in his poems.
His mausoleum becomes a forum for musicians and poets. Have known all the Koran by heart, hence earning the nickname of Hafez (Memorizer). With Ferdowsi he ranks as the most popular and best known poet in Iran.
His collection (Divan) consists of 693 poems, of which 573 are odes. There are many who consider this most work as the greatest masterpiece of Persian literature. So many admirers that it may be regarded as a shrine visit his tomb in Shiraz.
About Jame Mosque (Shiraz) in Fars province
This is one of the oldest buildings of the early Islamic period in Fars.
Its architectural technique and high ivan are reminiscent of the Sassanid constructions which have supplied a model for imitation.
This ancient mosque belongs to the fourth century A.H. (10th centuryA.D.) and its mihrab must have been built around A.H. 363 (A.D. 973).
This mosque possesses a very spacious crescent-shaped ivan, open the southern side and walled at the back. Adjoining the back wall, there stands the mihrab, which is a later addition. In another part of the mosque, there is a minaret, which may have belonged to the original structure of this monument.
About Qumsheh in Fars province
On the road between Esfahan and Shiraz, the Qumsheh Sanctuary is set in a peaceful landscape of water, greenery and rock.
The peristyle with its slender wooden columns is characteristic of the region`s architecture.
The land of Pars, the birthplace of the Achaemenian Empire, is located in the south of Iran. This region was the political-cultural focal point of ancient Persia and the historical monuments have a high tourism value. The historical monuments of Fars province may be divided into two categories:
Pre-slamic Monuments: The most important ones are persepolis aggregate, Naghsh-e-Rostam, and Passargad north of Shiraz; remained vestiges in Naghsh-e-Shapour and Azarjoo Fire-Temple in Darab; the ancient city of Fasa with Tal Zahak vestiges in Fasa; other monuments in Firooz-Abad, Kazeroon, Lar, Jahrom, and Mamasani which totally are amongst the most eye-catching historical places in the world.
Post-Islamic Monuments: The most important monuments of this period are: The Shrine of His Holiness Ahmad Ibn Musa (A.S.), the son of the 7th Imam of Shi'ite, famous as Shah Chiragh: Atigh Jame' Mosque in Shriaz which belongs to the Saffarian time and was constructed in 281 AH, a series of historical buildings of Vakil from Zandian time in Shiraz, which are mosque, school, citadel, post-house, museum, mourning places, and water storage which were constructed by the order of Karim Khan Zand, the founder of the Zandieh dynasty. Darvazeh Qur'an (Qur'an Gate), the memorials of Sadi, Hafiz, and Khajoo are in Shiraz and are annually visited by thousands of tourists.
Khogilooyeh and Boirahmad Province :
The province of Kohkiloieh va Boier Ahmad in southern Iran is located between latitudes 30-9' to 31-27' N. and longitudes 49-55' to 51-42' E. It is bounded on the north by Chaharmahal va Bakhtiari province , on the east by Esfahan province and Fars province, on the south by Fars province and Boushehr province , and on the west by Khuzestan province.
Its area is 13,699 square kilometers. According to 1995 divisions, Kohkiloieh va Boier Ahmad has 3 counties - Boyer Ahmad, Kohkiloieh and Gachsaran - 8 towns, 12 rural districts and 38 villages. Its center is Yasuj.
About Dena Mountain in Kohkiloieh va Boier Ahmad province
The mountain range of Dena, with more than 20 elevations and over 4000 meters high above the sea level, is, in fact, the great Himalayas in miniature.
The mountain range, which is located in Kohkiluyeh va Boyer Ahmad province, is covered with oak forests.
Natural springs, singing of the birds, and fresh air fascinate all lovers of nature.
Khogilooyeh and Boirahmad Province is located in southwest of Fars province and is the dwelling place for Boirahmad and Mamassanni nomad tribes. This province enjoys a pleasant nature and Margoon waterfall is the most important natural attraction of this province.
Kerman and Yazd
Kerman Province :
This province was Known as "Botia" in the Achaemenids period and in the Islamic era was counted as an important cultural center and was under foreign domination many times.
This province with an area of 186,422 sq. Kms. is located in south east of Iran and enjoys a changeable climate, which is cold in montainous areas and warm in plains. In 1992 Kerman Province had a population of 1,934,588.
Each province in Iran , depending its on natural reserves and industry and artistic taste , has its own internal and international fame. Carpet, cumin-seed, pistachio date and mineral reserves are a part of this Province's wealth.
About Arg-e Bam in Kerman province
Once a famous citadel and strategic stronghold, this fort has been built on a huge rock and covers an area of six square kilometers in all. It is 300 meters long and 200 meters wide and consists of two parts. The fort is a five-story structure of unbaked brick and must have been constructed before the fifth and sixth centuries A.H. (11th and 12th centuries A.D.).
The place has undergone frequent repairs and comprises a rampart, an ancient entrance, adequate fortifications, some Safavid structures, a mosque, and a building known as (Char-Fasl) or (Palace of four seasons). There are two inscriptions in this vast and magnificent construction, which are indicative of recent reparations. Both tablets bear the date 20th Azar 1337 S.H. year (1958 A.D.); one of these has been installed by the society for the Preservation of National Monuments and the other, by the Department of Archaeology. The next of the latter is as follows:
(The Citadel of Bam, which was habitable and in a fairly good condition until a hundred and fifty years ago, has, according to (Hundud al-Alam) and other reliable sources that have come down to us from 4th century A.H. (10th century A.D.), been founded some 2000 years back, and has been repeatedly repaired thereafter. This commemorative tablet relates to the completion of the repairs of the watchtower and a part of the Governor`s residence. Azar 1337. Department of Archaeology.
(Kerman is the heart of the world ...) so says Shah Nemat-ol-lah-e-vali, the well known sufi-poet of the 8th century A.H. (Heart of the world) is as old as the history itself. R. Frye in the Heritage of Persia ( London,1962) brings up the possibility that the Kermani or Germani tribe has given its name to the area of its residence. Berossus, the Chaldean historian ( 3rd cent. BC ) in his account of the fall of Babylon to Cyrus the Great says that the Persian. Shahanshah sent Nabonidus, the fallen Babylonian king, to exile in Kerman, where he resided till his death (Pirmia -Moshir- ol- Dowleh- Hassan. Iram-e-Bastan, Tehran, 1362).
This, regardless of its historical accuracy, establishes Kerman as one of the major province of Iran, housing a population of 1,850,000. 190 Km to the south east of the city of Kerman, in the midst of the vast, endless, gray deserts, lies the ever-green city of Bam, the (Emerald of the Desert). This city with its extensive palm groves and citrus gardens is essentially an agricultural city, benefiting from very rich sub-terranean water reserves, surfacing through a great number of miles long (qanats), or sub-terranean aqueducts and water canals, in an area noted for the scarcity of water in it.
The citrus fruits of Bam, its oranges, tangerines, its sweet lemons, are well known, and its dates, especially the (Mozafati) brand, a unique well known for its delicacy are of universal fame. Lately, while the opening of new international markets have revitalized the agricultural activities in the area, pumping new blood in its old veins, some industrial projects are to change the whole economic, and, therefore, social texture of the city, bringing it to the competitive world of the industrial age, with all its hassles turmoil,... and confusions, the new car manufacturing project of the (Kerman Automotive Industries Co.), being the most notable of all these projects.
But Bam is known all through the world for a different aspect of it: Arg-e-Bam or the ancient citadel and the ruins of the ancient town surrounding it. This is one of the most splendid historical sites in the whole world: while most of the best known historical sites in the world, like Fars (Persepolis, Athen`s Acropolis, Rome`s forum and Coliseum, Paris` Versailles,... signify a limited period in history, Arg-e-Bam displays the imprints of 2000 continuous years of a dramatic, eventful history from its foundation, presumably during the Parathion period (250 BC - 224 AC), up until about 150 years ago when in the reign of Nasser-a-Din Shah Qajar (1831-1896, king 1548-1896) the ancient town was gradually deserted. This peculiarity has made estimation of the precise age of most parts of this historical complex rather difficult, sometimes even impossible.
The legends have it that the city was founded by Bahman, the son of Esfandiar, one of the legendary kings in the Esfahnameh, corresponded to Ardashir the Long Armed (Artaxerexes Longimanus, 429 BC, king 464-424) son of Xerexes I, the Achamenide King-of-Kings. However, most of the historians refer to the story of (Haftvad) in the Shahnameh, or (Haptanbad) in the Karnamak-e-Ardashir-e-Papkan, a historically true story, as the story, and the date, of the foundation of Bam. If so, this date goes back to the late, or mid, Parathion period although a thorough scientific and archeological inspection of the site is still needed.
There are some signs and indications like some Parathion coins found here - which make it a safe guess to assume that the nucleus part of the town and the citadel belonged to the Parthian period in its original form. Judging from the story of Haftvad` and also by comparing the ruins of Ghal-e-Do (the Maiden Fortress) to the north of Arg, and the original structure of the citadel, with the Parthian town model (like the ruins of Parthaunisa in Turkmenistan), it is obvious that originally the town and the residential quarters for the common people were located couple of miles to the west of the Arg, in the place of today`s Koozeran-corresponding the Kojaran of the Shahnameh and the adjacent Dehshotor quarters, while the residence of the governing prince was in the Ghal-e-Dokhtar, where, according to the Parthian- and maybe Achamenide-model, it was also the temple for the official court religion.
There is an ornamental figure carved on the wall of an altar on the eastern side of Ghal-e-Dokhtarl which resembles very much to a similar figure on the altar of another very important, hut, alas, a very little known site about 2 Km to the east of the Arg, known as (Char Taghi`. As the story goes, after Haftvad rebelled against the governing prince and killed him, he made a citadel and a fortress on a rock-hill to the west of the town, corresponding to the present site of the Arg.
After Haftvad was defeated and killed by Ardashir, the victorious king destroyed the main citadel in the fortress and built a fire-temple in it instead, which, it is believed, was turned into the existing main observation tower and the Char-Fasl building in the Islamic period. In any event, 2000 years of history, with all its ups and downs, with all its wars, internal strives, periods of peace, of calm, of blooming, of blood, of destructions, of developments, of massacres,.., have left their imprints on this site of history which cries out the transient nature of (being) and the external essence of the universe.
Walking through the ruins of the Arg, one feels as if every broken wall, every pass-way where people of centuries have walked through, where horses of history have run through, every little stone, every molecule of earth, recites along with Khayyam:
Think, in this battered Carvanserai Whose Doorways are alternate Night and Day How Sultan after Sultan with his romp Abode his Hour or two, and went his way The ruins of the Arg as a whole are so interesting, remarkable and mind arousing that it takes more than one visit to absorb and to appreciate the historical significance of the details. An attempt to introduce different parts of the Arg would require a huge volume.
However, as Mulffna says, (if the whole sea can`t be taken in, one may drink as much as his thirst would allow.`; so, here`s some very brief descriptions of` some of the more interesting parts:
1- The main (southern) gate: This is the only remaining gate of at least four gates.
2- The Bazaar or the main market place: Right after passing through the gate you enter a pass-way about 60 meters long which used to be the main bazaar of the town. Presumably built in the Safavid period, it had been a roofed bazaar, built, as it was the usual practice in the Safavid period, on a predrawn plan provided by the government.
This bazaar, which apparently was active up until early 14th cent. A.H. (early 20Lh cent. A.D.), had replaced some other ancient bazaars of the town, like the (Pol-e-Gargan), which Moghadassi (late 4th cent. AH, 10th cent. AD) has mentioned in Ahsan-al-Taghasim, but its whereabouts are obscure now.
It is noteworthy that Bam was a male commercial and trading town on the famous (Spice Road), a major tributary of the (Silk Road), connecting India, the Indian Ocean, the Omman - or the Arabian-sea, and the Persian Gulf to that main road of wealth of wealth and trade in the middle Ages. Bam was also a major center of textile industry in those days, known for its differnt fine fabrics all through the Islamic world.
3- The Grand Mosque, which was originally built in the Saffari period, 3rd. cent. AH (9th cent. AD), according to Prof. Pope, has gone through major changes in different periods.
4- The Stables and the Garrison or the Armory, both presumably built in the Saljouq or the Timurid period (6th or 8th cent. AH, 13th or 15th cent. AD).
5- The governor`s quarters and the Chahar-Fasl (Four Seasons) Building, and also the main observation tower, presumably belonging to the Safavid period (early 10th cent, mid 12th cent. AH, early 16th cent., mid 18th cent. AD) in their present forms. It is thought that the Chahar-Fasl and the main observation tower were originally a fire-temple of the pre-Islamic period.
These were some very fragmentary notes on just some of the more important parts of the Arg; as I said a rightful introduction of different parts of the Arg, even a thorough introduction of only the parts mentioned, would require a huge volume, as huge as the history itself, for this, the Arg, is the history itself. Let us just watch, and pass very gently by these ruins, because every spot that you put your foot on, there may lie a king, a swordsman, an old sage, a lover, a mother... Be careful, beware…
About Ganjali Khan Complex in Kerman province
Ganjali Khan was one of the famous rulers during the reign of Shah Abbas. As the ruler of Kerman province he constructed many monuments and buildings. Ganjali Khan complex is composed of a school, a square, a caravanseray, a public bath, a water reservoir, a mint house, a mosque and a bazaar. A number of inscriptions laid inside the complex indicate the exact date when these places have been built.
Out of Ganjali Khan complex, the Khan public bath located in the grand bazaar of Kerman serves as an anthropology museum today and attracts an increasing number of Iranian and foreign tourists. This is a unique work of architecture with beautiful tile works, paintings, stuccos, and arches.
The bath rendered service no later than 60 years ago. In the closet section and main yard of the bath there are many statues which are unbelievably interesting. These statues were designed at Tehran University`s faculty of fine arts in 1973 and then transferred to this museum.
This complex has been built during the Safavid era (1499 - 1723 AD) enjoying a modern architectural style of the time. This bath is an association of architecture and application of an array of constructional materials in an appropriate space with totally popular approaches. The architect of the bath and the complex is a master from Yazd city named Mohammad Sultani.
About Haj Ali Agha Mosque in Kerman province
This masjid comprises a portal, a minaret and Muadhins cage, a portico, a courtyard, a prayer-hall, a Shah-nishin (recess) and a Mihrab. In the prayer hall, there are forty stone columns in all, each 2 meters high and 90 centimeters in diameter.
In this respect, it bears close resemblance to the prayer hall of Masjid-e-Vakil in Shiraz.
The portal, minaret, maudhins cage and Mihrab of the Masjid are decorated with polychrome tiles and its prayer-hall is very remarkable.
Above the Mihrab, there is a tile inscription and its interior has been decorated with plaster and stalactite ornaments. Adjoining the Masjid, a water reservoir and a caravanserai have been constructed and are believed, have been founded by a certain Ali Aqa. The portal, and the southern, northern and western sides of the caravanserai have tile-work decorations.
On the whole, the complex of structures constituting the Chehil Sotun mosque and the nearby reservoir and caravanserai, and belonging to the Qajar period (1328 A.H. = 1910 A.D.), is one of the finest specimens of the 14th century A.H. architectural achievements.
About Jame Mosque (Kerman) in Kerman province
Masjid-i-Jami or Muzaffari is one of the historical monuments of the eighth century A.H. (A.D. 14th century), famous for its magnificent portal, its mihrab and mosaic-tile decorations, and its historic inscription, which bears the date A.H. 750 (A.D. 1349).
On the western side of the mosque, there is an ivan which originally dates from the times of Ali Muzaffar. However, the mosque has been repaired in later periods, including repairs of the main part of its mihrab, carried out in the reign of Shah Abbas II.
The south-western portal of the mosque also belongs to the Safavid period.
The minaret and the Muadhin`s cage of the Masjid have been repaired under Karim Khan Zand, and its mihrab is one of the outstanding parts of this monument.
Some essential repairs and decorative and tile works were completed in the S.H. year 1319 (A.D. 1940).
About Jebellieh in Kerman province
In the eastern section of Kerman city toward the Saheb-ol-Zaman mosque there is a stone - made dome known as Kobra dome. The dome`s plan is octagonal and on each side there are many arch vaults. There is no precise information on the construction date and application of the monument.
The architectural style of the monument, however, suggests that the dome can be attributed to late Sassanid era (266 - 651 AD), which has been later repaired during early Islamic period.
About Shazdeh Garden in Kerman province
Some 42 kilometers south-east of Kerman, the road passes through Mahan, a town well known in the 10th century A.D., here is located the Shazdeh Garden (The Prince Garden).
The edifice in the Garden was the summer residence of Qajar princes which is now restored and converted into a sumptuous restaurant.
The city of Kerman was founded during the reign of Ardeshir the First, a Sassanid king. In the Islamic time, Kerman was one of the important cultural centers of Iran. Foreigners have assaulted this city, in the course of history. In the past year there have been serious endeavors for the renovation historical monuments of this city. The important sites of the province are:
Bazaar of Kerman and Ganjali-Khan caravansarai and public bath which has been transformed into a museum;
Dokhtar and Ardeshir castles, a Sassanid monuments:
Jabalieh Dome a fire-temple from the Sassanid time;
Kabir Jame' Mosque and Sabz (Green) Dome, Which belong to the 9th century AH, and is the tomb of the Gharakhatai governors;
In addition to the above monuments, two other monuments in this province must be mentioned, located in Mahan and Bam. The mausoleum of Shah Nemat-ollah Vali famous Iranian Gnostic in Mahan. Its building, dome, and minarets are highly valuable from an artistic and architectural point of view. It is mainly the place of pilgrimage for Sufis from different sects.
Being a perfect sample of an eastern city, the city of Bam is highly valued from a tourism point of view. This city contains all components of an old eastern city, such as wall, bazaar, citadel, towers and other fortifications. The remains of the city of Bam (Arg), which is 2,000 years old, are extremely eye-catching. Recently modern recreational and accommodation facilities were established called "New Citadel of Bam".
Yazd Province :
Yazd province, in the center of Iran , is located between the latitudes 31 53' and 32 56' N. and longitudes 52 55' and 57 30' E.
It is bounded on the north and the west by Esfahan province, on the northeast by Khorasan province, on the southwest by Fars province and on the southeast by Kerman province.
Yazd has an area of 69,605 square kilometers and based on the 1995 divisions it has 7 counties named Yazd, Ardakan, Bafq, Taft, Abarkuh, Mehriz and Meybod, 16 towns, 14 rural districts and 38 villages.
The center of this province is Yazd.
About Atashkadeh in Yazd province
The most important Zoroastrian fire temple, Atashkadeh (located on a hill in a small garden on the east side of Ayatollah Kashani St.) is open to the public from 08:00 to 11:00 am and 02:30 to 04:30 Pm Saturday to Thursday, expect holidays.
There is no entrance fee, but donations are welcomed. It is surrounded by evergreen trees and a large round pool in the courtyard which gives a clear reflection of the temple for artistic photography.
The sacred flame behind a glass visible from the small museum inside has, according to the Zoroastrian elder in attendance here, been burning since about 470 AD and was transferred from its original site in 1940.
This attracts Zoroastrians from around the world, and there will probably be someone who speaks English to explain things to you.
There are also a couple of paintings here, including one of Zoroastrian, Architecturally, there are certain similarities between this fire-temple and those of Iranian Zoroastrians.
There are plenty of other Zoroastrian sites such as Qoleh Asadan (the Fortress of Lions) in the far northeast of Yazd, and the most important one, Chak Chak (see below), 52 km to the north.
About Chak Chak in Yazd province
This important Zoroastrians fire-temple is on a hill 52 km to the north-northeast of Yazd. It attracts thousands of pilgrims for an annual festival, which lasts for ten days from the beginning of the third month after Nowrooz. To visit, it is best to get the permission of the religious authorities at the Atashkadeh in Yazd. The return trip, by a difficult stretch of road off the main route to Tabas.
About Yazd City Walls in Yazd province
In ancient Iran there were many types of public structures, from among which one may mention the achievement represented by city walls. The twelfth to fourteenth century walls of Yazd, which are still standing, are perhaps the most interesting, imposing and skillfully planned.
In Yazd, sections of the old walls and moat remain, providing an interesting example of a medieval wall, fortified by moat, towers and barbicans, now buried deep within a town which has long since expanded beyond its old limits. These walls were begun, it is said, in 1119 and rebuilt and extended during the 14th century. In places, they were 15 meters high, being nicely decorated with ornamental devices such as those employed on unglazed pottery.
About Yazd Bazaar in Yazd province
he bazaar of Yazd is of some interest; the many bazaars here are probably the best places in Iran to buy silk, brocades and cloth, the products which brought the town its prosperity. Yazd is also a good place for cakes and sweats (baghlava), although quite a lot of the tempting tooth-ratters on display are not actually made in the town.
The 12 historic of Yazd are worth a visit, the most important bazaars here are: Bazaar-e Khan:
Goldsmith bazaar; and panjeh Ali Bazaar.
The many bazaars here are probably the best places in Iran to buy silk fabric, cashmere, brocades and cloth (taffeta and Yazdi shawl) all with beautiful local designs, motifs, and colors, the products, which brought the town its prosperity. Try to take an Iranian guide with you.
About Dowlatabad Garden in Yazd province
The heat is blistering in the south, on the edge of the Great Desert. High chimneys acting as air-vents bring some comfort to these dwellings.
This is a complex built according to the original Iranian architectural style and consists of a large garden and some buildings.
Being watered by a qanat, until the very recent past it was used for the residence of the provincial governor, The most impressive part of the Complex are a 33-meter high bad-gir (wind tower) on the roof and a water stream in the interior.
The air was conducted into the interior and cooled through the action of the flowing water. Lattice doors and windows with stained glass patterns impart a pleasing sight to the Complex.
About Jame Mosque (Yazd) in Yazd province
Masjed-e Jam`s, also known as the Friday Mosque, like so many important mosques, was the focus of a complex of buildings of various periods and styles in various states of conservation.
The site of a Sassanian fire temple, its major features, however, were begun in 1324 and continuously developed for forty years.
There is no more impressive gateway in Iran that this great soaring 14-century edifice.
Crowned by a pair of minarets, the highest in Iran.
The portal`s façade is decorated from top to bottom in dazzling tile work, predominantly blue in color.
Inside there is a long arcaded court where, behind a deep-set southeast ivan, is a sanctuary chamber which, under a squat tiled dome, is exquisitely decorated with faience mosaic; its tall faience mihrab, dated 1365, is one of the finest of its kind in existence.
The tile work has recently been skillfully restored and a modern library built to house the mosque`s valuable collection of books and manuscripts.
By the side of the Masjed-e Jam`s, along a side street to the right, was the Vaqt Va Sa`at (Time and hour) complex, now reduced to the Shrine of Rokn od-Din, who was responsible for building the complex.
The observatory (which gave its name), a library, and a Madraseh, have all vanished.
About Mir Chaqmaq Mosque in Yazd province
This mosque is famous on account of its splendid portal and facade. It also possesses a huge dome and superb (Suffeh) (platform or ivan). Originally, the mosque was called Masjid-i-Jami or Masjid-i-Nau (New Mosque).
The portal inscription of the mosque is very valuable and according to its text, the construction of the Masjid has been completed through the zealous efforts of Bibi Fatima Khatun, wife of Amir Chaqmaq, governor of Yazd.
The Mihrab of the mosque, is of marble, bordered with mosaic tile decorations and verses from the Holy Koran, carved on marble.
Besides this mosque, Amir Jalal Al-din Chaqmaq has other constructions to his credit, such as the Khanegah (A.H. 830 = A.D. 1426), a caravanserai, public baths, a Maydan, and a Takyeh, all of which are known under his name.
On no account should you miss the fourteenth-century AD Masjed-e Amir Chakhmaq 0r Masjed-e jomeh (an exact contemporary of the Masjed-e Jams) next to the bazaar portal, famous for its superb portal ornamented with stucco, and the traditional four-ivan structure on a courtyard a little too small for the ivans. Originally, it was called Masjed-e Now (New Mosque).
The frieze on the portal has artistically very valuable calligraphy etched on it, according to which the mosque was built by the zealous efforts of Bibi Fatemeh Khatun, wife of Yazd governor Amir Jalal od-Din Chakhmaq. A marble mihrab has been installed, around which decorative tiles and verses of the Holy Koran have been etched over stone.
The mosque is very near to the Takieh-ye Mir Chakhmaq, a 19th century tiled edifice built to serve as a grandstand for the traditional passion play, or Tazieh, recording the martyrdom of the third Imam, Hossein that is acted during the mourning month of Muharram (lunar) is the Takieh, or special theater used for these performances, of which it formed part.
At present, the free space in front of the monument has been turned into the central square of the town, and has acquired a new appearance as a result of trees and flowers having been planted.
Actually, this represents one of the buildings of a historic complex incorporating a mosque, a public bath, a caravansary, a mausoleum, a Takieh, three water reservoirs, and a imposing entrance to one Yazd`s bazaars.
About Tower of Silence in Yazd province
Dakhmeh or Qol-ye Khamushan (towers of Silence): These are three impressive buildings remaining from several other structures on hilltops outside and in the immediate vicinity of Yazd (about 15 km to the south-west) where the bodies of the dead Zoroastrians would be brought to the foot of the tower so that a ritual ceremony could be held in presence of the relatives and friends of the deceased.
The body was then carried by the priests into the tower where it was laid on the flat stones on the ground –thus avoiding that earth, water, and fire, the divine elements be contaminated, the soul of the defunct person having already been by Ahura Mazda. In a short time the body would be torn apart by the passing vultures and crows.
The bones were then thrown into a circular pit in the center of the tower. At the foot of the towers stand the remains of the buildings, which once served for the funerary ceremonies. When the towers were still used for Zoroastrian burials, only the priests were allowed into them. Nowadays, however, some of them have been opened to the public.
Beneath the hill there are several other disused Zoroastrian buildings including a defunct well, two small bad-girs, a kitchen and a lavatory. The custom of exposing corpses in a tower of silence largely disappeared throughout the Zoroastrian world around 50 years ago, at about the same time that the eternal flame was transferred to the newly constructed Atashkadeh in the center of Yazd. As a matter of fact, the towers were used until 1987, after which all Zoroastrian dead were buried in the cemetery at the foot of the towers. The site can be reached only by taxi or private car
About Twelve Imam Shrine in Yazd province
laster, Further from the center can be found the splendid early 12th century Shrine of the Twelve Imams (Maghbareh-ye Davazdah Emam), properly described as a funerary mosque.
It is almost next door to the Zendan-e Eskandar (Alexander`s Prison, a deep, circular, brick-lined pit about 10m in diameter) and has a fine 3-line Kuffic inscription inside, with the names of each of the Shiite Imams, none of whom is buried here, Although the mausoleum is small, dusty and forgotten, it is nonetheless a well preserved building of the period. There are some interesting plaster moldings on the mihrab, and the brick dome is a good early example of its kind. The Maghbareh is locked, but the doorkeeper at Zendan-e Eskandari next door will take you in. Don`t forget to give him a tip of at least 500 Rials. It would be also good to have a guide or taxi driver with you.
About Yazd Museum in Yazd province
The Mirror-Palace Archaeological Complex in Ayatollah Kashani Avenue, with a built-up area 837 square meters, stand in a beautiful garden and was previously used as the private guest house. It includes impressive structures such as a large vestibule, a Howz Khaneh (fountain hall), a gallery, and several rooms.
Following the victory of Islamic Revolution, the ensemble was confiscated, and partially transformed into the present museum. Here you can see antiquities, calligraphic works, weapons, stamp, Lurestan bronzes, etc.
About Mausoleum of Seyed Rokn od-din in Yazd province
This Bagh (mausoleum belongs to the 14th century AD and consists of a portal, a fine cupola covered with enameled tiles, and an inscription in Kuffic calligraphy. Inside the cupola, three are brick decorations, and construction of the mausoleum has been attributed to Amir Rokn od-Din Mohammad Qazi.
Before becoming a mausoleum, it was known as the Masjed-e Mosalla-ye Atiq.
Yazd is one of the ancient cities of Iran and is the best sample of the cities in the desert (Kavir). In this city, everything is the symbol of movement, activity, social life and the struggle against natural limitations. Moreover, the name of Yazd is reminiscent of original artistic vestiges of Iran. The hand-made products of Yazd, especially textiles,which had a worldwide reputation due to their quality and artistic nature before the introduction of textile machinery, still have their own unique quality as well as their special customers.
The dominant socioeconomic condition of the city is such that there is a minimum rate of crime, consequently it is a unique city from security point of view. Religious minorites live there, like other parts of the country, without any problem.
The architectural style in Yazd is monotonous and is the sign of equilibrium in its social life. Utilization of simple construction materials in building houses is a common principle. Struggle against environmental constraints in a desert area is reflected in making use of traditional styles of architecture, in building of Badgirs (wind trappers) on the roofs against the wind direction for ventilation and air conditioning in the summer.
This city has its own architectural style, in which narrow alleys are build in wide and newly constructed streets, with high and connected walls, portraying a unique method in urban planning and design. The delicacy of architectural monouments in Yazd is unique in its quality; thus they hold a high artistic value. The most important and valuable historical monuments, which may be visited in Yazd and other cities of the province are as follows:
Yazd Jame' Mosque belonging to the first half of the 8th century AH.;
The mosques of Amir Chakhmakh, Rig, and Faart;
Davazdah Emam (12 Imams) Mausoleum;
Zendan Eskandar (Alexander's Prison);
Yazdan Fire-Temple;
Dolat Abad garden and its pavilions;
Khan Square, Bazaar and Garden.
Yazd is home to the largest number of Iranian Zoroastrians, They have lived in this city for more than a thousand years. The other towns of the province are Maybod, Taft, Bafgh, Ardekan, and Mehriz each of which has many sites worth seeing.
The scarcity of water in Yazd and Kerman has caused the development of Qanats (underground canals with connected wells for collection of water). The length of some Qanats exceeds 1,000 kilometers, which is another architectural innovation worth studying.
Khuzistan
Khuzestan Province :
Khuzestan is a small part in south west of Iran which was a part of the great and independent government of Elam in ancient times. One of the oldest human civilization which dates back to 8000 B.C. rose from this area.
The Elamites, Achaemendis, Parthians and Sasanids have also selected and built some parts of this land as their winter capitals.
Because of its geographical importance, this area was always subject to phenomenons, but after the presentation of Islam Khuzestan became habitable. Right now with an area of 67,132 sq. Kms. and a population of 3,219,446 (1992), it is counted as one of the important provinces in the country.
Because of the precedence of human civilization in this area, so many ancient and splendid monuments have remained in this land.
About Danial e Nabi in Khuzestan province
Given that Shush (or Susa) has been continuously inhabited for nearly 10,000 years, it is perhaps surprising that there is very little in the way of spectacular remains to inspect.
As an archaeological site, however, its value is enormous - a stratigraphic section of the central hill has revealed thirteen superimposed cities, and evidence of the use of fifteen different languages.
What gives Shus good deal of contemporary interest for Shite Muslims is the presumed mausoleum of the prophet Daniel, arguably he of the bible. Chapter eight of the Book of Daniel records that his political vision of the ram and the goat took place at (husan te palace).
Standing on the east bank of the small river Sh`ur, the site of this mausoleum, clearly of no great antiquity, is marked by a curiously pineapple-like white plaster cone, whise shape is both irregular and unsymmetrical:
an architectural feature common in this part of Iran and also in Iraq.
About Jame Mosque (Dezful) in Khuzestan province
From the point of view of architectural technique and on account of its prayer-hall and stoned columns, the ancient Jami Mosque of Dezful counts as one of the early Islamic monuments, which has been further expanded and repaired in the 7th and 12th centuries (13th and 18th centuries A.D.). The date 1157 (A.D. 1744) inscribed on the portal of this mosque is indicative of such reparations.
The architectural style of this mosque, like that of the Shushtar Jami Mosque, is similar to the Sassanid techniques, and the monument is highly remarkable for its ancient prayer halls and stone columns which show evident signs of deterioration and wear. The eastern ivan of the Jami Mosque has been created in A.H. 1110 (A.D. 1698) under the Safavids, while its portal and minarets belong to the 12th century (18th century A.D.).
The whole structure is an imitation of the techniques of Ivan-i-Karkhe. This mosque is counted as one of the mosques from the beginning of the Islam period, from architecturre point of view and having stoney columns, which ahs been repaired in the 7th & 12th centuries A.H.(13th & 18th centuries A.D.).The architecture of this building has been taken from Eyvan-e-Karkheh.
About Mahru Mosque in Khuzestan province
The mosque was constructed in the beginning of the Islam period and ahs a pillar, stoney columns and many inscriptions. The inscriptions show the construction date which is the 3rd century A.H.(9th century A.D.).
In addition to the mentioned historical and worth seeing places, there are so many other monuments from before and after Islam in Khuzestan Province, which attract tourists and are as follows: Haft Tappeh Museum which contains some excavated articles from this area-Museum of Shush city and the remainder of this ancient city-Mausoleum of Daniyal (Prophet Daniel) in Shush-Ancient Mills of Shushtar-Architecture (brickwork) of Dezful -Burning gas wells which make the sky look red at night-Ruines of Jondi Shapur- and ahwaz Dam,etc.
A mausoleum can range in size from a one roomed roadside shrine to a full blown mosque. Here, a more rectilinear geometry is applied to decoration that one would find in the south, but the overall effect is still naturalistic, although nature is somewhat more fundamentally depicted.
About Ziggurat Choqa Zanbil in Khuzestan province
Ziggurat Choqa Zanbil was built on the order of Untash Gal the Elamite king in 1250 BC, for the worship of Inshoshinak god. Ziggurat has been built 23 kilometers souteast of Susa, on the banks of Dez river. The architecture of Choqa zanbil manifests the miraculous progress in architectural techniques specially mathematical measurements and combination of materials during that era.
The bottom of the building of the temple comes in many stories made of mud covered with clay bricks. The luxurious entrances and stairways find access to the archaeological diggings and discoveries round the temple, a number of clay inscriptions in Elamite as well as sculptures of animals and men have been unearthed. Untash Gal praises Inshoshinak as follows; (I, Untash Gal, son of Hubanomna, the king of Anzan (Khuzistan) and Susa, built a large worship hall to show my gratefulness for my long life, much wealth, many children, to Inshoshinak, the god of the sacred place. I present this temple to him and rasie it to the sky, I hope my gift, and god of Inshoshinak will accept my attempt.)
Khuzistan was part of the historical land of Mesopotamia (between two rivers). Due to its antiquity, this region still holds several ancient historical monuments. Ziggurat of Chogha Zanbil is a distinct monument belonging to the Elamite civilization, the foundation of which dates back to the mid 13th century BC. In archeological excavations made in Haft Tappeh, the remains of palaces, inscriptions, and statues of the Elamite time were discovered.
In Susa (Shoosh), in addition to the existence of the Shrine of Danial Nabi (Daniel the Prophet) which is a local place of pilgrimage one can visit the ruins of ancient Shoosh. The remaining monuments in Masjed Solayman and Shooshtar belong to the Achaemenian, Parthian, and Sassanid time, which have their own value. The old water mills of Shooshtar and brick buildings in Dezfool are samples of ancient architectural and technical skills in these cities.
Hormozgan, Boushehr, Sistan & Balouchistan
Boushehr Province :
The province of Bushehr is located between latitudes 27-14' and 30-16' N. and longitudes 50-06' and 52-58' E.
It is bounded on the north by Khuzestan Province and some parts of Kohkiloieh va Boyerahmad Province , on the east by Fars Province , on the south-east by Hormozgan Province , and on the south and west by the Persian Gulf.
Its area is 25,360 square kilometers.
According to 1995 divisions, Bushehr has 8 counties-- Bushehr , Tangestan, Deyr, Dashtestan, Dashti, Kangan, Genaveh and Deilam -13 towns, 17 rural districts and 36 villages. Its center is Bushehr.
The island of Khark which lies 57 kilometers north-west of Bushehr port is a part of the province.
Hormozgan Province :
The southern province of Hormozgan is located between latitudes 25- 34` and 28- 57` N. and longitudes 52- 41` and 59- 15` E. It is bounded on most parts of its north and northeast by Kerman province, on the northwest and the west by Fars province and Bushehr province provinces, on the southeast, by Sistan va Balouchestan province and on the south, by the azure waters of the Persian Gulf and the Oman Sea.
Hormozgan has an area of around 65,379 square kilometers and based on the 1995 divisions has 8 counties named Bandar Abbas, Bandar Lengeh, Abu Musa, Jask, Hajiabad, Rudan, Qeshm and Minab, 14 towns, 21 rural districts and 19 villages. Its center is Bandar Abbas. Also, in the civil divisions of Iran , several islands including Hormoz, Lark, Qeshm, the Lesser (Tonbe Kuchak) and the Greater Tonbs (Tonbe Bozorg), Abu Musa, the Lesser (Farud-e Kouchak) and the Greater Farud (Farud-e Bozorg), Kish and Lavan are considered parts of this province.
About Gheshm Island in Hormozgan province
Gheshm Island, by far the largest of all islands in this part of the Middle East (more than twice the size of Bahrain), is situated some 22 km from Bandar Abbas, and few tourists can pretend to know it.
It occupies an area of 1,700 sq. km. The island is mountainous, with a large rocky coast dotted with villages and small towns but few settlements of any size in the interior.
There are deer, snakes and scorpions here as well as various types of birds pelicans are found in the mud-flats off the north-west shore of the island.
There are many freshwater streams throughout the island, and there is some scope for subsistence agriculture. Salt mines on the southeast coast complete the picture. However, according to the island`s first post-revolutionary Five-Year Plan, launched on 31 January 1990, grandiose schemes have emerged for it to become a free area (on the same line as Kish Island), under its own ministerial council chaired by no less than the President of the Republic, and with its own executive president.
This council will be called The Gheshm Free Area Authority.
Under these plans Qeshm Island will become the entrepot of the Persian Gulf, with a support on its south coast and a causeway connecting north coast with the mainland.
The vast untapped natural gas reserves in the strait will be sold off to Iranian and foreign companies in compensation for setting up a number of industries in the island.
Supporting a large community of mainland Iranians and expatriates there will be international schools, a Hormoz International University, hotels, telecommunications, fully-equipped hospitals, good roads and an international airport, among other facilities at present very much lacking.
Eventually Gheshm Island will develop into a major international economic and financial center and the largest free zone between Europe and Japan.
It`s also planned to market the island as a tourist attraction, emphasizing its natural facilities and potential for water sports. The island was mentioned by Marco Polo, and later marked out for colonial potential by Vasco da Gama.
The Portuguese built a castle in the east of Qeshm during their occupation of Hormoz, and the island came under the sway of the Dutch, the East India Company, the French, Germans and the British in turn, and it was only brought back firmly into Iran Shortly after World War I.
About Indian Mosque in Hormozgan province
A clear intersection of architectural styles is evident in the Indian Mosque at Bndar-e-Abbas.
Although the layout follows Islamic precedents, the ornamentation is unmistakably Indic, reflection the history of Cross-Cultural interaction that Bandar-e-Abbas, Strategically overseeing the straits of Hormuz, has experienced.
About Mir Mohammad tomb in Hormozgan province
Khark Island in the Persian Gulf has been of great significance throughout the history of Iran. Today it is of paramount importance as a major oil terminal, dispensing vast quantities of crude oil to waiting tankers. Where all is not pipelines and processing plants, evidence of pre-Islamic sites exists alongside this curious dome to Mir Mohammad.
Its design is similar to other tombs in this region -extending to Iraq and Hamedan- a plaster-covered cone with a stepped facade rising above the chamber.
The southern coastline of Iran has undergone many vicissitudes in the course of history. In recent years, the tourism potential in these regions have been paid due attention. Cities of Bandar Abbas and Boushehr, as new regional centers, represent samples of a combination of new and traditional urban texture of coastal cities (ports) beside each other. Hormozgan province and its capital city Bandar Abbas, is an international strategic region for transportation and trade, while it is also endowed with beautiful beaches.
Boushehr Province is one of the southern provinces of Iran, located south of Fars province. It contains many interesting ancient and historical monuments of which the most important one is the historical monument of Goor-e-Dokhtar belonging to Achaemenian period. The people of this province are familiar with tourism, and they have a reputation of being warm in their social relations. Boushehr has beautiful coasts which are very attractive, especially in the winter. The existing historical monuments in Bandar Syraf, once was a thriving city and a commerical port in the Sassanid times, reflects the briskness of trade in the Persian Gulf since long time ago.
The famous islands of Hormoz with its old castle and beautiful landscapes; Qeshm with its mangrove forests and ancient sites; and finally Kish with its great tourism facilities and the remains of the old city of Harireh and traditional water reservoirs, are all tourism focal points in the southern coasts of Iran.
Sistan & Balouchistan Province :
Sistan va Balouchestan province, southeast of Iran, is located between latitudes 25-3 and 31-29 N. and longitudes 58-40 and 63-20 E.
It is bounded on the north by Khorasan province, on the south by Oman Sea, on the east by Afghanistan and Pakistan, on the west by Kerman province and on the southwest by Hormozgan province.
This province has an area of 181,471 square kilometers and according to the 1991 divisions includes 7 counties.
Namely Zahedan, Iranshahr, Chabahar, Khash, Zabol, Saravan and Nikshahr, 16 towns, 29 rural districts and 92 villages. Its center is the city of Zahedan.
Sistan and Baluchistan Province, located in the southeast of Iran, is one of the ancient centers of civilization. The old historical monuments of this province, especially the ruins of Shahre-e-Sookhte (Burned City) is proof in itself. Handicrafts of this province are very interesting especially needlework which is mostly done by women to earn their livelihoods. There are also several natural attractions in this province of which Sarbaz river, the habitat of Iranian crocodile, is famous.
Architecture
Every region of Iran has its own architectural style, usually in harmony with the natural environment of that region. The architecture and style of houses in different parts of Iran are briefly pointed out below:
In the coastal regions of the Caspian Sea (Guilan and Mazandaran provinces), traditional wooden houses are built on wooden pillars with roofs made of straw or earthenware.
In the peripheries of the great Iranian desert (Kavir), the most distinct kinds of houses have dome-shaped roofs, which are traditionally built according to the geographical and climatic conditions of these regions in order to minimize heat.
In Azarbaijan, which is more or less mountainous, the foundations of houses are built of mud stone with flat roofs.
In some very hot regions such as Khuzistan, especially Dezfool, basements are important parts of the house as summer shelters from the heat.
In higher altitudes of the Alborz Mountains most houses are made of wooden structures with mud walls and flat roofs. Recently, houses with bricks and iron beams have been built in this region. In Sistan and Baluchistan Province, houses are quadrangular with dome-shaped roofs. Sometimes there is a simple reticular structure on the roofs for the purpose of ventilation.
These diverse and valuable styles of architecture, which are represented in the construction of houses and buildings in different parts of the country, attract many foreign tourists facinated by them. Also, domestic tourists get acquaitance with the extent, greatness, and cultural wealth of their homeland.
Rural Iran
The diversity of the natural environment and the ethnical composition of Iran have created diverse forms of rural settlements with varying aspects. Among rural settlements in Iran, there exist unique types, causing wondering of every viewer: villages which portray an interesting, and wonderful visage of ancient Iranian civilization. Among hundreds of wonderful villages in Iran, only a few, like Massooleh, Kandavan, and Abyaneh are introduced and gained a worldwide reputation.
The number of these villages, each of which holds at least one wonderful monument, reaches 500. These villages are notable for their geographic situation, architectural style, and the multiplicity of historical monuments and places of pilgrimage.
The villages of Ushtibin, Saghandal in East Azarbaijan; Karkhoran and Anar in Ardebil; Ghaleh Sangi and Niasar in Isfahan;
Gisoo Bala, Bazangan, and Jajarm in Khorassan; Arjan, Shahsavar, and Gatvand in Khuzistan; Chelgard, Shalamzar in Chahar Mahal and Bakhtiari; Garmab an Tashvir in Zanjan; Shahmirzad, Faroomad and Mehman Doost in Semnan; Chanof, Tabas and Boog in Sistan and Baluchistan;
Eaje Sarmashad and Shostegan in Fars; Hamzeghan and Aveh in Qom; Harzvil, Sirvan, and Gazorkhan in Qazvin; Ourman Takth and Negel in Kurdistan: Ali Sadr and Darjazin in Hamedan:
Shahdad and Anar in Kerman; Bisotoon and Ravansar in Kermanshah; Margoon and Landeh in Kohgilooyeh and Boirahmand; Massooleh and Hassan Kyadeh in Guilan; Kamandan and Malavi in Lorestan; Yoosh, Kandlus and Ryneh in Mazandaran; Khorheh, Dodehak and Mashhad Ardhal in Markazi;
Looza, Basaidoo, and Laft in Hormozgan; Khormoj and Ahrom in Boushehr; and Ghotrom, Khormiz, Zaidabad, Mansha Ezzabad in Yazd are among the wonderful villages of Iran. Which visiting of them is unforgettable and memorable.
Museums
The Museums in Iran are treasuries of cultural, historical and natural heritage of this land. There are museums in most cities of Iran, which contatin antiques, artistic and natural vestiges from ancient Iran.
The museums of Tabriz, Maragheh Orumiyeh, Khoy, Kashan, and Miandoab in Azarbaijan; museums of Kashan and Chehel Sotoon in Isfahan;
Kermanshah Museum; museums of Reza Abbasi, Carpet, Decorative Arts, contemporary Arts, Iran Bastan (Iran National Museum), Anthropology, in Tehran;
Toos and Naderi in Khorassan; Susa, Haft Tappeh and Abadan in Khuzistan: Falak-ol-Aflak in Lorestan; Ganjali Khan in Kerman; and museums of Qazvin, Zanjan, Shahrood, Semnan, Zahedan, Rasht, Gorgan, Hamedan, Persepolis, and Sanandadj are among the major museums of Iran. In some cities, especially in Tehran, several palaces have been converted to museums.
Some Natural History museums have been established in large cities, some of which are: the Natural History Museums of Orumiyeh, Isfahan, Tehran, and Shiraz. These museums are important centers for research on the human sciences and arts.
Daily and Weekly Markets (Bazaars)
Bazaars are centers for presenting local and products as well as a place for social interaction and regulating social relations, especially in rural and tribal areas. These bazaars, which reflect the local economic and cultural conditions of the region. are held in many urban, rural, and tribal areas. The weekly bazaars in rural and tribal areas are held close to summer quarters regarding season, decampment time and economic needs of the villagers and nomads. In tese kinds of bazaars, the daily needs of people are secured through cash, credit, barter or conventional transaction.
At present, in some northern provinces including Guilan, Mazandaran, and Golestan, rural weekly bazaars are very common. Also, in the southern coastal province of the country, including Sistan and Baluchistan, Hormozgan, Boushehr, and Khuzistan, these kinds of bazaars are common and are amongst the attractions of these provinces. The weekly bazaars of nomad tribes are held in all tribal regions of Iran including Azarbaijan, Lorestan, and Kurdistan. The daily Bazaars of urban, rural, and tribal regions are the places in which the artistic and creative ability of women are reflected through supplying their fine handicrafts. Visiting these bazaars and purchasing different handicrafts, will remain as an unforgettable memoir for tourists.
Handicrafts
Iran's most valuable handicraft, which has a worldwide reputation, is hand-woven carpets and kilim(short-napped coarse carpet). Persian carpets, due to their beautiful design, texture, and fixed color have their own special privileges, which is unique in the world.Many people, especially women are involved in this industry, in large and small carpet workshops, scattered throughout Iran.
Nomadic women weave a simple kind of carpet in their leisure time called jajim (coarse). Jajim is softer and lighter than kilim. In addition to these, another hand-woven products like cashmere, shawls, and different cloth are produced in Iran for different uses. Every tourist who comes to Iran, wishes to purchase a small carpet, jajim or kilim.
Everybody knows the reputation of Persian carpet, as one of the best and invaluable handicrafts of the world. This industry and its workshops are both state and privately owned. Most carpets are produced in rural and tribal regions of Iran. The cities of Tabriz, Isfahan, Mashhad, Kashan, Kerman, and Hamedan as well as the region of Turkmen, Baluch, Ghashghai, Afshar, Kurd, and Lor tribes are imoprtant centers of hand-woven carpet in Iran.
Iranian tile and ceramic industry and their pruducts have portrayed themselves in mosques and historical monuments. The color and quality of Iranian tiles and ceramics are so unique that they have resisted hard climatic and erosive conditions of Iran for centuries.
Aside from this industry, the industries of pottery, glassworks, and tannery should be mentioned, of which several products are supplied to market. Metal and wood handicrafts like copper and brass products, silver work, inlaid work, embossment work engraving, and other fine objects which are produced from metal, wood and animal bone have a long history in Iran and are in great demand by tourists.
Traditional and National Food
The Iranian "sofreh" (cloth which is spread on the floor, on which food is served) is a colorful one, and the gastronomic culture of this county is very rich. This richness is due to the diversity of natural products and cultures. In different areas of the country, based on existing possibilities, various types of local foods are cooked.
But there are some dishes which are common to all around the country, so they are considered as traditional and national foods. The most famous one of this kind are: Chelokabab (steamed rice with grilled lamb or beef); Abgoosht (a kind of sauce which is commonly cooked with different ingredients and served with rice); Fesenjan (poultry, especially goose or duck, ground walnut, pomegranate syrup, sugar and spice); and Dolmeh (a mixture of meat, vegetables and other materials wrapped in the fresh leaves of grapevine).
In northern and western regions of Iran, several kinds of local foods are cooked with wild plants or vegetables and cereals, served with or without meat and are very tasty. Caviar of Iran, which is obtained from sturgeon fish in the Caspian Sea, has worldwide reputations and is tonic. Different kinds of food are cooked in northern and southern parts of Iran with fish. The shrimp of the Persian Gulf is amongst the best in the world and due to its quality, varieties of foods are cooked with it.
Bread baking in Iran is done in different ways. Basically, Iranian breads are thin baked in the hearth, so they are very soft. In Iran bread is commonly purchased fresh out of the hearth. Different kinds of Iranian breads are Sangak, Lavash, Tafton, and Barbary.
One of the common traditional Iranian beverages is Doogh (yogurt drink), which is used with fragrant vegetables in all parts of Iran, especially in the summer.
Airlines Offices in Iran
AEROFLOT
Add: 23, O. Nejat-ol-lahi Ave., Tehran
Tel: (021)8808672, 8808480
AIR FRANCE
Add: 882, Enghelab Ave., Tehran
Tel: (021)672093-5
Fax: (021)674118
AIRLINE OF THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN
Persian Name: HAVAPEYMAIE-E- JOMHOURI-E- ESLAMI-E- IRAN
P.O.Box: 13185-775
Add: Mehrabad Airport, Tehran
Tel: (021)9111
Fax: (021)6003248
Tlx: 212795
Activity: Intenational & domestic transportation of passengers & goods
ALITALIA
Add: Alitalia Bldg., No. 7, Argentina Sq., Tehran
Tel: (021)8711889, 8712707
Fax: (021)8716682
AUSTRIAN AIRLINE
Add: 32, Sarafraz St., O. Motahari Ave., Tehran
Tel: (021)8732488, 8734684
Fax: (021)8736647
BRITISH AIRWAYS
Add: 874, Enghelab Ave., Tehran
Tel: (021)670101-9
Fax: (021)672174
KLM ROYAL DUTCH AIRLINE
P.O.Box: 11365-4547
Add: 20, Sarafraz St., Dr. Beheshti Ave., Tehran
Tel: (021)8737562
KISH AIR
Persian Name: HAVAPEIMAIE-E KISH
Add: 215, Africa Ave., Tehran
Tel: (021)2268547, 8880594
Fax: (021)2266630
KUWAIT AIRWAYS
Add: 86, O. Nejat-ol-Lahi Ave., Tehran
Tel: (021)8808661
Fax: (021)8808161
LUFTHANSA
Add: 131. Khaled Eslamboli Ave., Tehran
Tel: (021)8723382-7
Fax: (021)8723584
PAKISTAN INTERNATIONAL AIRLINE
Add: 64-66, O. Nejat-ol-Lahi Ave., Tehran
Tel: (021)8808253-5
Fax: (021)8808256
QESHM AIRLINES SERVICE CO
Persian Name: HAVAPEIMAIE-E FARAZ QESHM
Add: 3, 10th Alley, Khaled Eslamboli Ave., Tehran (15117)
Tel: (021)6415386, 6461186
Fax: (021)6460415

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Embassies in Iran
ARGENTINA
Add: Alitalia Bldg., No., 7, Argentina Sq., Tehran
Tel: (021)8718294
AUSTRALIA
Add: 13, 23 Alley, Khaled Eslamboli St., Tehran
Tel: (021)8724456, 8866153
AUSTRIA
Add: 3rd Floor, No. 78, Argentina Sq., Tehran
Tel: (021)8710180, 8710753
AZERBAIJAN
Add: 10, Malek St., Shariati Ave., Tehran
Tel: (021)7502724 - 7502404
BAHRAIN
Add: 16, 31 St., Khaled Eslamboli Ave., Tehran
Tel: (021)8772079, 8880275-6
BELGIUM
Add: 3, Babak Alley, Shabdiz St., Fayaz Bakhsh St., Tehran
Tel: (021)2044574, 2040733
BRAZIL
Add: 58, Vanak St., Vanak Sq., Tehran
Tel: (021)8773498, 8775175
BRITAIN
Add: 134, Ferdowsi Ave., Tehran
Tel: (021)675011-7
CANADA
Add: 57, Sarafraz St., Sh. Motahari Ave., Tehran
Tel: (021)8732623-6
CHINA
Add: 13, 7th Negarestan, Pasdaran Ave., Tehran
Tel: (021)8031240-1
CZECK REPUBLIC
Add: 15, Mirza Hassani Alley, Mirza Shirazi St., Tehran
Tel: (021)8716720
DENMARK
Add: 18, Dashti St., Elahie, Shariatti Ave., Tehran
Tel: (021) 261363, 2030009
FINLAND
Add: Niloo St., Vanak Sq., Vali-e-Asr Ave., Tehran
Tel: (021)8774985, 8889151
FRANCE
Add: 85, Nofel Leshateau, Tehran
Tel: (021)6760018
GERMANY
Add: 324, Ferdowsi Ave., Tehran
Tel: (021)3114111-5
GREECE
Add: 43, Esfandiar St., Africa Ave., Tehran
Tel: (021)205032, 2053784
INDIA
Add: 46, 9th St., Miremad St., Beheshti Ave., Tehran
Tel: (021)8755102, 8755103-4
INDONESIA
Add: 210, Ghaem Magham Farahani Ave., Tehran
Tel: (021)8716865, 8865864, 8717251
IRELAND
Add: 8, North Razan St., Mirdamad Blvd., Tehran
Tel: (021)2222731, 2227672
ITALY
Add: 81, Nofel Leshateau St., Tehran
Tel: (021)649655-7
JAPAN
Add: 5th Alley, Ahmad Ghassir Ave., Tehran
Tel: (021)8713396, 8717923
JORDAN
Add: 6, Second Ally, Shadavar St., Mahmoudieh St.,
Tel: (021)2041432, 2051295
MALAYSIA
Add: 72, Fayazi St., Mahmoudieh, Vali-e-Asr Ave., Tehran
Tel: (021)2046521, 2044061
NETHERLANDS
Add: 36, Jahansooz Alley, Sarbedaran St., Sh. Dr. Beheshti Ave.,
Tel: (021)986209, 892316
NORTH KOREA
Add: 349, Dastgerdi St., Africa Ave., Tehran
Tel: (021)2223341, 2221489
NORWAY
Add: 412, 8th Koohestan, Pasdaran Ave., Tehran
Tel: (021)2581467
PAKISTAN
Add: 1, Etemadzadeh St., Dr. Fatemi Ave, Tehran
Tel: (021)934332, 934334
POLAND
Add: 1-3, Yazdan Panah St., Africa Ave., Tehran
Tel: (021)8787262-4
PORTUGAL
Add: 30, Ganjavi St., Abbaspour St., Vali-e-Asr Ave.,
Tel: (021)8771380, 8772132
QATAR
Add: 4, Golazin St., Africa Ave., Tehran
Tel: (021)2051255-6
ROMANIA
Add: 12, Fakhrabad St., Tehran
Tel: (021)7509309, 760959
RUSSIA
Add: 39, Nofel Leshateau, Tehran
Tel: (021)671161, 761163
SAUDI ARABIA
Add: 10, Saba St., Africa St., Tehran
Tel: (021)2050085, 2050082
SLOVAK REPUBLIC
Add: 24, Central Babak St., Africa Ave., Tehran
Tel: (021)2271058
SOUTH AFRICA
Add: 5, Yekta Alley, Vali-e-Asr Ave., Tajrish, Tehran
Tel: (021)6023423, 6021227
SOUTH KOREA
Add: 37, Ahmad Ghassir Ave., Tehran
Tel: (021)8711125, 8734127
SPAIN
Add: 14, Azadegan St., Ghaem Magham Ave., Theran
Tel: (021)8714575-6, 8714466
SRILANKA
Add: 6, Arash St., Africa Ave., Tehran
Tel: (021)2051477, 2053902
SWEDEN
Add: 78, Argentina Sq., Tehran
Tel: (021)8723157
SWITZERLAND
Add: 13.1, Boostan St., Elahieh, Tehran
Tel: (021)2682266-7
SYRIA
Add: 19,Iraj St., Africa Ave., Tehran
Tel: (021)2059031-2
TURKEY
Add: 314, Ferdowsi Ave., Tehran
Tel: (021)3115299, 3118997
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
Add: 355, Dastgerdi St., Vali-e-Asr Ave., Tehran
Tel: (021)2221333
UKRAINE
Add: 101, Vanak St., Tehran
Tel: (021)8774119

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The Persian Rugs
A Persian Rug has a wide variety of designs and styles, and trying to organized them into a fix catogory is a very difficult task. To look at a Persian carpet is to gaze into a world of artistic magnificence nurtured for more then 2,500 years. The Iranians were among the first carpet weaver of the ancient civilizations and, through centuries of creativity and ingenuity building upon the talents of the past, achieved a unique degree of excellence...... The History of Persian Carpet.
To look at a Persian carpet is to gaze into a world of artistic magnificence nurtured for more then 2,500 years. The Iranians were among the first carpet weaver of the ancient civilizations and, through centuries of creativity and ingenuity building upon the talents of the past, achieved a unique degree of excellence.
The carpet is the finest and most exquisite form of expression and Iranian can find and the best specimens available today rank amongst the highest level of art ever attained by mankind. Even today, with Iranians increasingly being swallowed up in the whirlpool of a fast expanding industrial, urban society, the Persian association with the carpet is as strong as ever.
An Iranian's home is bare and soulless without it, a reflection on the deep rooted bond between the people and their national art. To Trace the history of the Persian carpet is to follow a path of cultural growth of one of the greatest civilizations the world has ever known.
From being simply articles of need, as pure and simple floor entrance covering to protect the nomadic tribesmen from the cold and damp, the increasing beauty of the carpets found them new owners - kings and nobleman, those who looked for signs of wealth or adornment for fine buildings. Many people in Iran have invested their whole wealth in Persian carpets - often referred to as an Iranian's stocks and shares - and there are underground storage areas in Tehran's bazaar that are full of fine specimens, kept as investments by shrewd businessmen.
And for many centuries, of course, the Persian carpet has received international acknowledgment for its artistic splendor. In palaces, famous building, rich homes and museums throughout the world a Persian carpet is amongst the most treasured possessions. Thus, today Iran produces more carpets than all the other carpet making centers of the world put together.
Iranian English Daily Newspapers
Iran Daily
http://www.iran-daily.com
Tehran Times
http://www.tehrantimes.com