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Iran Travel Information | Shiraz Travel Guide
Shiraz
is known as the poetic capital of Persia, because two of the greatest
poets of the world, [[Hafez]] (1324-1391) and [[Sa'di]] (1209-1291), come from
this city. Sa'di, the traveler saw a great part of the world before he
finally settled in Shiraz, where he died. Hafez on the other hand,
except for one very short journey, never even left his city.
Shiraz
is a treasure trove of Middle Eastern culture. It was the capital of
Iran during the Zand dynasty (1747-79), and also the celebrated
birthplace of the great poets Hafiz and Saadi. The city has a
population or about 1,300,000.
This city with more than
850,000 inhabitants situated in southwestern Iran, in the inland around
200 km from the Persian Gulf, at an elevation of 1,800 metres above sea
level.
Different people have lived in the Fars province such
as the Aryans, the Samis and the Turks, who worked together to form the
Iranian culture.
The first Capital of Fars, some 2500 years
ago, was Pasargad. It was also the capital of Achaemenid King [[Cyrus]] the
Great. The ceremonial capital of his successor, [[Darius]] I (or Darius the
Great), and his son Xerxes, was [[Persepolis]]. Today, only the ruins of
these two capitals remain. Stakhr was another capital of Fars. It was
established by the Sassanids and lasted until Shiraz finally assumed
the role of the regional capital.
According to Islamic
historians, Shiraz came into existence only after the Arab conquest of
Iran. The Arab invasion, in fact, contributed to its importance and by
the 13th century, Shiraz had grown into one of the largest and most
popular Islamic cities of the era. Shiraz lies spread out like an
immense garden on a green plain at the foot of the Tang Allah-o-Akbar
Mountains.
Parks
with magnificent trees are one of the town's attractions. Long wide
shady avenues lead from one side to the city other. They are an
incitement to leisurely wanderings during siesta time. Exemplary modern
achievements, including remarkable hotels and very striking university
buildings are conducive to a pleasant stay. Because of the city's
altitude (1,600 meters) the climate is extremely pleasant. It is very
mild in winter and not too hot in summer. Nearby Persepolis and the
international fame of its annual art festival have confirmed Shiraz as
a tourist center. The [[Bagh-e Eram]], in Shiraz, famous for its gardens, is a typical late Qajar palace, now donated to Shiraz University.
The populous quarters in the center of the city are busy trading areas.
The picturesque quality of the Iranian bazzar is enhanced here by the
presence of nomads or semi-nomad elements belonging to southern Iranian
tribes, including the Qashqais recognizable by the women's brightly
colored dresses. The open space of a large esplande to the south of the
bazzar gives one a chance to appreciate from a sufficient distance the
elegance or at least the originality of pear-shaped domes above a high
tambour covering two mosque mausoleums: The Shah Shiragh and Seyed Mir
Mohammad Imamzadehs. The facades of the two buildings are not shaped
like those of traditional ivans. It is a portico supported by light
columns in the style of houses in Shiraz.
Near the [[Bazaar-e
Vakil]], [[Masjed-e Vakil]], the Regent's Mosque is especially famous for its
large prayer hall (75 meters long, 36 meters wide) covered with small
cupolas resting on forty-eight twisted columns cut out of one single
block of stone.
The most interesting buildings in Shiraz are located in the old part of
the town. Among them are about a dozen mosques, some with bulb- shaped
domes, and others with pear shaped domes and cupolas. These mosques are
mostly scattered in among the old houses.
The Masjid-e-Vakil
(the Regent Mosque) has an impressive portal containing faience panels
in floral designs with various shades and colors on each side. The
northern iwan (verandah) is decorated with shrubs and flowers, mainly
rose bushes. The ceiling in Mihrab Chamber (altar) is covered with
small cupolas resting on twisted columns. Vakil Bazaar, which is close
by, was built by Karim Khan Zand. Here silversmiths and jewelers still
apply their trades of exquisite inlay work. Persian carpets and other
traditional Persian handicrafts may also be purchased in the Vakil
Bazaar.
About 50 km. Northwest of Shiraz, at the foot of the
rahmat Mountains, one encounters the vast platform and remains of
Persepolis, the grand ceremonial Capital built by Darius I (Darius the
Great) and his successors some 2500 years ago. Archeologists are still
combing through the debris and ashes that have covered Persepolis since
Alexander the Great destroyed it in 330 BC. Most of the structures have
already been revealed.
Pasargad
is located about 77 km away from Persepolis. It was built by Cyrus the
Great. Among the interesting sites at Pasargad is a stone platform 80
m. long and 18 m. wide. It is believed to have been the foundation of a
palace. Close by are the ruins of a building called the Prison of
Solomon which was probably a fire temple.
The most important
monument in [[Pasargad]] is undoubtedly the tomb of Cyrus the Great. It has
seven broad steps leading to the sepulcher, which measures 534m. in
length by 531m in width and has a low and narrow entrance. When
Alexander the Great looted and destroyed Persepolis, he paid a visit to
the tomb of Cyrus. It is recorded that he commanded Aristobulus, one of
his warriors, to enter the monument. Inside he found a golden bed, a
table set with drinking vessels, a gold coffin, some ornaments studded
with precious stones and an inscription of the tomb, which reads:
"Passer-by, I am Cyrus the Great, I have given the Persians an empire and I have ruled over Asia.
So do not envy me for this tomb."
Attractions
Jame’e Atigh Mosque
New mosque
Saadi Tomb
Shah Cheragh
Khwaju Kermani Tomb
Hafez Tomb
Khan school
Arg of Karim Khan - formerly a prison, but now an architectural wonder on exhibit.
Bazare Vakil - hundreds of vendors housed in an ancient bazaar.
Saraye
Moshir - a caravansary at the south entrance of Bazaar Vakil, which now
functions as exhibition space for Iranian handicrafts.
Vakil Mosque
Ghal'eye Karim Khan
Nasir al-Mulk mosque
Narangestan Qavam (Bagh-e-naranjestan)
Afif abad garden (Bagh-e-afifabad) - a garden and houses owned by the Ghavami family.
Eram Garden (Bagh-e-eram)
delgosha garden (Bagh-e-delgosha)
Buy
Retail stores usually open between 9AM and 1PM, reopening again from
5PM to 9PM. It is customary to haggle for a discount, which is referred
to as a takhfeef.
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