Shiraz - City of Roses and Poets
Shiraz is often called the city of poets, of blooming gardens and singing nightingale. Shiraz is also home to 2 million people. The city is located at 1540 m above sealevel on the banks of a river known as the "Dry River", having little water for most of the year.
History
550 BC
Under the Achaemenid rulers Shiraz is
still an insignificant settlement. The Achaemenid's glorious city
Persepolis is located some 60 km further to the east.
224 AD - 650 AD
Shiraz still remains in the shadow of another city 50 km to the north-east: Istakhr, capital of the Sasanian rulers.
651 AD
It is only after the Arab conquest that
Shiraz becomes for the first time the provincial capital of the province
Fars. This leads to a lively construction activity.
Argh-e Karim Khan
This Citadel was built in the early Zand period and became the royal court of Karim Khan. With its beautiful brick walls and the four towers it resembles a medieval fortress. One of the four towers is remarkably leaning, probably due to former earthquakes. There is a huge gate to enter the Argh. Inside the walls you will find a large courtyard with water basins and gardens.
Masjed-e Nasir ol-Molk
This mosque is also known as the “Pink Mosque” due to its pink coloured tile ornaments. It was built around 1876 and it one of the most impressive buildings in Shiraz with its lush flower bouquets tiles, itsd coloured glass windows and the small moghul minarets towering the main iwan. The central courtyard is dominated by a huge water basin. Don’t miss the winter prayer hall with its elegantly carved columns made from white stone and the stained glass, which leaves coloured shadows on the white columns and on the floor. The best time for visiting is in the morning, when the sun illuminates the windows.
Bagh-e Eram
This garden is a true paradise with its tall cypresses, high palm trees
and various rosebushes. In the centre of the gardens there is a most
elegant small Qajar-palace dating back from 1893. The fresh water of the
huge turquoise water basin in front of the palace feeds a whole canal
system running through the gardens.
Bazaar-e Vakil
This bazaar is one of the finest covered bazaars in Iran. The wide vaulted brick avenues are a true masterpiece of Zand architecture and go back to the year 1870. At that time Karim Khan Zand had made Shiraz his new capital and it was part of his plans to make Shiraz a great city. Today the bazaar’s main street is more than 800 m long and has endless stores selling carpets, handicrafts, spices and clothes. Enjoy the unique atmosphere!
Aramgah-e Hafez
The great poet Hafez died in the year 1389 but he is still very popular among Iranian people. Almost every Iranian can quote verses out of his work. It was Karim Khan who initiated this wonderful garden with the great man’s tomb. Surrounded by dark green cypress and pine trees, the round pavilion with the white marble tomb is a place of pilgrimage for enthusiasts of poetry and for lovers. The melodious recitations broadcast throughout the gardens create a unique and magic atmosphere.
Bagh-e Narenjestan
One of the most beautiful gardens in Shiraz is the Bagh-e Narenjestan. It is named after the many bitter orange trees lining the water basin in the central courtyard. The whole complex was built around 1880 by the famous Qavam-Dynastie. The Narenjestan garden with its lush vegetation and the beautiful pavilion served as the public reception area of the family. Inside the pavilon you will find splendid mosaics of mirror tiles, wonderfully laid bricks, stained-glass windows and pastel-colored plaster frescoes. Don’t forget to have a look at the painted ceilings, showing European landscapes and portraits of rococo ladies. In the basement of the pavilion there is a small exhibition showing a collection of archaeological items found in the region around Shiraz.
Imamzade Ali Ibne Hamze
This is the place of the tomb of Emir Ali, a nephew of Shah Cheragh. He also died in Shiraz on his way to help Imam Reza. This mausoleum was built in the 19th century as earlier buildings had been destroyed by earthquakes. Dominated by a typical Shiraz bulbous dome of blue and ochre coloured tiles, the courtyard with its date palms, orange trees and water basins is well worth seeing. Have a look at the intricate wooden doors and windows. The inside of the dome is completely covered by sparkling mirror glass tiles.
Hamam-e Vakil
Although built back in 1776, this hammam already had all the amenities,
such as cold water, hot water and steam bath. Follow the corridors
ornated with glazed tiles to the vaulted central chamber, where you will
find some beautiful frescoes in the dome.
In the different rooms of
the hammam, mannequins show different bathing scenes of the time, such
as brushing, massage, rubbing, resting, having tea, writing and smoking
the water pipe.
Aramgah-e Saadi
Although Saadi was a most ingenious poet living in Shiraz during the 13th century, he usually stays in the shadow of the great Hafez. Saadi’s shrine is set in a quiet garden of tall cypresses and palm trees. Wide paths along the long water basin lead up to the turquoise-colored dome supported by high columns. Here you will find a bench to rest and enjoy the beautiful verses of Saadi’s poems written on the walls inside the pavilion.