Shiraz

Shiraz is the capital city of Fars province and a treasure trove of Persian culture. It isalso the former capital of Iran,during the Zand dynasty's era (1747-79). Shiraz is thelargest academic,cultural and industrial center in south Iran,known as the Dar-ol-Elm(House of Learning). It is regarded as one of the oldest cities of ancient Persia andcontains outstanding examples of Persian art and architecture. Shiraz is known as theCity of Poets,City of Literature,City of Roses,City of Love and City of Gardens. and alsothe celebrated birthplace of the great Persian poets Hafiz and Saadi. It is alsoconsidered by many Iranians to be the city of gardens and orchards.This city is situated in the south east of Iran with a popullation of about 1 700 000.Shiraz is one of Irans five largest cities. The city is at an altitude of 1486 meter abovethe sea level and enjoys a temperate climate. Shiraz has a moderate climate and offersa wealth of attractions,sights and events,e.g. Persepolis,Eram Garden,Hafiz and SaadiTombs and Shahchergh among others. The main handicraft of Shiraz is the inlaidmosaic work of triangular design. Shiraz also has a major oil refinery and is also a majorcenter for Irans electronic industries.

Afif-Abad Garden

Located in the affluent Afif-Abad district of Shiraz, the complex was constructed in1863. It contains a former royal mansion, a historical weapons museum, and a Persiangarden, all open to the public.

The Golshan Garden is one of the oldest gardens in Shiraz.

During the Safavid dynasty, it was used as a palace by the Safavid Kings.

The current main building was constructed by Mirza Ali Mohammad Khan Qawam II in1863. He bought a nearby qanat to water his garden. After his death, the garden waseventually inherited by Afife, thus being called "Afif-Abad".

In 1962, it was restored by the army. It now functions as a weapons museum.

The Shrine of Shah-e-Cheragh

Sayyed Mir Ahmad,one of Imam Rezas 17 brothers,was hunted down and killed by thecaliphate on this site in AD 835. His remains are housed at the glittering Aramgah-eShah-e Cheragh. A mausoleum was first erected over the grave during the 12th centurybut most of what you see dates from the late-Qajar period and the Islamic Republic;expansion is ongoing

PersepolisPersepolis (Old Persian: Pārsa,Takht-e Jamshid or Chehel Minar) was the ceremonialcapital of the Achaemenid Empire (ca. 550-330 BCE). Persepolis is situated 70 kmnortheast of the modern city of Shiraz in the Fars Province of modern Iran. Incontemporary Persian,the site is known as Takht-e Jamshid (Throne of Jamshid). Theearliest remains of Persepolis date from around 515 BCE. To the ancient Persians,thecity was known as Pārsa,which means "The City of Persians". Persepolis is atransliteration of the Greek Πέρσης πόλις (Persēs polis: "Persian city").

Saadi TombThe Aramgah-e Saadi and its generous surrounding gardens are appropriate for a manwho wrote so extensively about gardens and roses. It s a tranquil place,with thetombstone housed in an open-sided stone colonnade,inscribed with various verses fromSaadi and supporting a tiled dome.

Hafez TombIranians have a saying that every home must have two things: first the Quran,thenHafez. Hafez is an influential Iranian poet. Almost every Iranian can quote hiswork,bending it to whichever social or personal persuasion they subscribe to. And thereis no better place to try to understand Hafezs eternal hold on Iran than at Aramgah-eHafez,his tomb. Set at the back of the ground of Hafezs tomb is a teahouse which is agreat place to chill out with some live traditional music and a cup of chay.

Arg of Karim KhanArg of Karim Khan is now an architectural wonder on exhibit. The design of the citadelcombines military and residential architecture,for it was the home of Karim Khan andthe military centre of the dynasty. Tile works depicting legendary tales were added atthe entrance gate of the citadel during the Qajar period.

Vakil BazaarShirazs ancient trading district is comprised of several bazaars dating from differentperiods. The finest and most famous is theBazar-e Vakil,a cruciform structurecommissioned by Karim Khan as part of his plan to make Shiraz into a great tradingcentre. The wide vaulted brick avenues are masterpieces of Zand architecture,with thedesign ensuring the interior remains cool in summer and warm in winter. Today,it shome to almost 200 stores selling carpets,handicrafts,spices and clothes and is one ofthe most atmospheric bazaars in Iran,especially in the early evening when it isfantastically photogenic. As usual,it s best explored by wandering without concern fortime or direction,soaking up the atmosphere in the maze of lanes leading off the mainthoroughfares.

Vakil Mosque:The beautiful Masjed-e Vakil was begun by Karim Khan and is the only major mosquesurviving from the late Zand period. Beside the entrance to the bazaar,it has twovast iwans to the north and south,a magnificent inner courtyard surrounded bybeautifully tiled alcoves and porches,and a pleasingly proportioned 75m-by-36m vaultedprayer hall supported by 48 carved columns. Inside the prayer hall are an impressivemihrab and 14-step marble minbar, carved from a monolith carried all the way fromAzerbaijan. Much of the tiling,with its predominantly floral motifs and arabesques,wasadded in the early Qajar era.

Eram GardenFamous for its tall cypress trees,the delightful Bagh-e Eram will impress visitors of allages with its stunning sceneries and various flowers and trees. The gardens aremanaged by Shiraz University. The gardens are easy enough to reach by taking anyshuttle taxi going along Zand towards the university.

Saray-e-Moshir:A caravansary at the south entrance of Bazaar Vakil,which now functions as exhibitionspace for Iranian handicrafts.

Nasir al-Mulk MosqueIt was built during the Qājār era,the mosque has extensively colored glass in itsfacade,and other traditional elements such as panj kāseh-i (five concaves) in its design.

Afif abad Garden (Bagh-e-afifabad)Afif abad Garden (Bagh-e-afifabad) is a garden and houses owned by the Ghavamifamily. Highly recommended. It contains a former royal mansion,a historical weaponsmuseum,and a Persian garden that is one of the oldest gardens in Shiraz.

Naranjestan GardenBagh-e Naranjestan is Shirazs smallest garden and is famous as the setting for theopulently decorated Naranjestan-e Ghavampavilion,built between 1879 and 1886,aspart of a complex owned by one of Shirazs wealthiest Qajar-era families. The paviliosmirrored entrance hall opens onto rooms covered in a breathtaking combination ofintricate tiles,inlaid wooden panels and stained-glass windows. Ceilings in the upstairsrooms are particularly interesting,with the beams painted with European-stylemotifs,including Alpine churches and busty German frauleins.

House of Zinat ol-MolkDown a small lane beside the garden is the Khan-e Zinat ol-Molk,which was originallythe private,andaruni area of the complex and is named after its last owner,the daughterof the builder Qavam. Today most of the finely decorated rooms are stuffed withexhibits in the Fars History Museum,while others serve as galleries for young Shiraziartists. The gardens are in a walled compound 400m south of the Nasir ol-Molk Mosq.

Qor'an Gate (Dar vazeh Quran)Qor'an Gate (Dar vazeh Quran) is the city's main entrance. The original gate was builtas an ornamental decoration by the Buwwayhids (Buwayhid dynasty) about 1000 yearsago,but this was replaced 60 years ago by new gate,which is considered one of thefinest architectural designs in Iran and has won numerous awards. From the the gatewalk up the stone stairways to enjoy picturesque and panoramic views of Shiraz. Thetomb of Khajooyeh Kermanee,a famous poet is also located here.

Jameh-ye Atigh MosqueWalking through the southeastern (back) entrance to the Shah-e Cheragh courtyardand turning right after about 50m leads to the ancient Jameh-ye Atigh Mosque. Datingfrom 894 this is Shirazs oldest Islamic structure,though most of what you see is fromthe late Safavid period onwards.While the dome of the north iwan and the hypostyle columns in the ancient prayer hallin the southeast corner are impressive,the highlight is the rare turreted Khodakhaneh.It was built in the mid-14th century (or perhaps earlier) to preserve valuable Qurans;poet Hafez is believed to have worked here. The Khodakhaneh (House of God) bears anuncanny likeness to the Kaaba at Mecca,and bears a unique Sassanid-style Tholth inscription in raised stone characters on a tiled background.

Naqsh-e RustamNaqsh-e Rustam also referred to as Necropolis is an archaeological site located about12 km northwest of Persepolis,in Fars province, Iran. Naqsh-e Rustam lies a fewhundred meters from Naqsh-e Rajab.The oldest relief at Naqsh-i Rustam is severely damaged and dates to c. 1000 BC. Itdepicts a faint image of a man with unusual head-gear and is thought to be Elamite inorigin. The depiction is part of a larger mural,most of which was removed at thecommand of Bahram II. The man with the unusual cap gives the site its name, Naqsh-eRostam,"Picture of Rostam",because the relief was locally believed to be a depiction ofthe mythical hero Rostam.

PasargadaePasargadae, the capital of Cyrus the Great (559–530 BC) and also his last restingplace,was a city in ancient Persia,and is today anarchaeological site and one ofIran's UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Other tourist attractions:Vakil Bath,Pars Museum, Manouchehris's House,Delgosha Garden (Bagh-e-delgosha) -New mosque - Mesgarha Bazaar - Moshir-e-Now Bazaar - Abesh Khatoon Tomb - SeyedTaj-e-din Gharib Tomb - Sheykh Roozbahan Tomb - Khan school - Christians Church.