Yazd A historical city of Iran which regrets never having been a
capital while so many now forgotten ones were, Yazd commermorates by
unusual monuments the importance given it by scores of scientists and
thinkers in past centuries.
The city of Yazd’s first mention in historic records predate it back to
around 3000 years B.C. when it was related to by the name of Ysatis,
and was then part of the domain of Medes, an ancient settler of Iran.
In the course of history due to its distance from important capitals
and its harsh natural surrounding, Yazd remained immune to major
troops' movements and destruction from wars, therefore it kept many of
its traditions, city forms and architecture until recent times.
During the invasion of Genghis Khan in the early 1200’s A.D. Yazd
became a safe haven and home for many artists, intellectuals and
scientists fleeing their war ravaged cities around Persia.
Yazd was visited by [[Marco Polo]] in 1272, who described it
as a good and noble city and remarked its silk production. Isolated
from any approach by a huge tract of monotonous desert, the vibrancy of
Yard is invariably a surprise. Since [[Sasanian]] times Yazd has been famous for beautiful silk textiles that
were rivaled in later periods only by those of [[Kashan]] and [[Isfahan]]. The
city is still a major centre of silk weaving. It has spinning and
weaving mills, a plant for the manufacture of water purification and
filtration equipment, and considerable mining and quarrying activity;
copper deposits nearby are processed at the Sar Cheshmeh facilities.
Almonds, fruit, and some grain are grown near the city.
Besides a few remains of the imposing medieval city wall, the city has
many important mosques and mausoleums dating from the 12th imam (head
of Islam; 1035). The Masjed-e
Jom'eh] (Friday Mosque) is distinguished by the highest minarets in
Iran, mosaic faience (earthenware ceramics), a superb mihrab (pulpit)
dated 1375, and two oratories that are Gothic in appearance. Some of
the other mosques and mausoleums in the city are decorated with
delicate and rich stucco relief or are polychromed with tones of pale
blue, rose, and yellow. The skyline is picturesque with minarets and
many tall towers that were designed to bring cool air from underground
into the buildings' chambers.
Yazd is famous for its ancient ventilation system of badgirs
(windtowers), designed to catch even the faintest of breezes and
channel them to the buildings below. Yazd is also famous for its
skilled qanat or water-channel diggers and the Yazd Water Museum pays homage to their ingenuity.
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Architecture
Yazd's most famous sight is the Jameh Mosque
(Friday Mosque), an exquisite 14th century building with soaring 48m
high minarets and a mosaic-decorated dome. The mosque is believed to
have been built on an earlier 12th century Zoroastrian temple.
The unusual Amir Chakhmaq Complex pushes the Jameh Mosque
as Yazd's must-see sight. Built in the 13th century the softly-rounded
sunken alcoves form the facade of a takieh, a religious
building used to perform the Ashura rituals to commemorate the
martyrdom of the Imam Hossein (the third of the twelve successors to
Mohammed, according to Shiite Muslims). The building is floodlit at
night and there are wonderful views of the town and the surrounding
desert landscape from the third-storey. There is also a huge wooden
palm leaf-shaped nakhl - used in the Ashura rituals to carry a
representive martyr of the imam decked with swords, money and mirrors
outside the building.
Yazd's other places of interest include the nearby Bogheh-ye Seyed Roknaddin (Tomb of Seyed Roknaddin) with its striking blue-tiled dome, the so-called Alexander's Prison
- a 15th century domed school building with a well in its courtyard,
said to have been built by Alexander the Great and used as a dungeon.
The Khan-e Lari is the well-preserved ex-home of a local merchant with traditional architecture and stained glass windows. The Bagh-e Doulat Abad
is an 18th century garden pavilion that belonged to the former shah,
Karim Khan Zand, noted for its beautiful stained-glass windows and
intricate lattice work.
Yazd has long been a center of the Zoroastrian faith and the Ateshkadeh Fire Temple
is said to preserve a flame that has been burning continuously since
470 CE. In the outlying southern suburbs of town are a pair of defunct
Zoroastrian Towers of Silence, where the bodies of believers were once left to the vultures after death.
Attractions List
Masjid-e Jame (Friday Mosque), dating back to the fourteenth century, is well worth a visit. Admire it at night when it is lit up.
Atashkadeh is the Zoroastrian fire temple. The fire on the
inside has supposedly been burning since 470 AD. Entrance is free,
though donations are appreciated.
Yazd Tower of silence (Zoroastrian's Dakhmeh) - the name tower
is misleading as they consist of huge circular walls, within those the
dead were left to be picked clean by the vultures. This is done in
accordance with Zoroastrian belief. However, the towers are not in use
anymore and open to the public. A quiet, serene place.
Yazd Market Square's Clock
The cistern of Fatemeh-ye-Golshan
Amir Chakhmakh complex, a breathtaking construction and a must-see. Visitors can climb to the top.
Amir Chakmakh mosque, not to be confused with the complex of the same name, but nearby and easily visited when visiting the more famous complex.
Yazd Water museum lots of interesting information about the Canat water distribution system, admission free, a must-see
Hazireh mosque
water reservoir with its four badgirs (wind towers)
Khan-e-Lari, a historical house
Alexanders prison, which was neither built by Alexander the great nor a prison, but quite an interesting sight with a cafe in the 'prison room'
tomb of the 12 imams
Madrasse-e-Kamalieh
Bogeh-ye Seyed Rokamdin mosque
Dowlat Abad Gardens with a building with a beautiful large badgir.
Yazd today
Always
known for the quality of its silk and carpets, Yazd today is one of
Iran's industrial centers for textiles. There is also a considerable
ceramics and construction materials industry and unique confectionery
and jewelry industries. A significant portion of the population is also
employed in other industries including agriculture, dairy, metal works
and machine manufacturing. There are a number of companies involved in
the growing information technology industry, mainly manufacturing
primary materials such as cables and connectors. Currently Yazd is the
home of the largest manufacturer of fibre optics in Iran.
Buy
The
local bazaar is the best way to go .Iran's most famous snacks,nougat
and cashews are available.Yazd is very famous in Iran for it's various
handicrafts, such as carpet, silk fabrics, cashemers and also for it's
pastries.If you are looking for Persian carpets at reasonable
prices,there are many Persian carpets to choose from at the bazaar.
Cities 
