Iran (Islamic Republic of) – All About World Heritage Sites

May 23, 2018May 24, 2018

Number of tourists visiting Iran’s Yazd province up 11%; IFP

IFP – The number of tourists visiting the historical city of Yazd in central Iran has considerably increased, a senior tourism official says.

Meisam Kouchakzadeh, a senior executive at the Department General of Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism of Yazd, says the number of visitors to Yazd stood at well over 126,000 in the year to March 2018, up 11%, year on year.

“Most of the tourists were from France, Germany, Spain, Italy and China,” he noted, according to a report by IRNA.

He recalled that Yazd was registered on UNESCO’s List of World Heritage Sites, saying, “This important issue will be instrumental in increasing the number of foreign tourists visiting Yazd.”

“Given that Yazd’s ancient quarter has been internationally registered and the objective is to increase the number of tourists, the tourism infrastructure in the province should be improved and the number of good accommodations should be raised,” he said.

UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee registered the historical city of Yazd on the List of World Heritage Sites on July 9, 2017.

Iranian gardens, symbols of paradise on earth; Arghavan Shamsara; Press TV

Iranian gardens have for nearly 6,000 years combined the beauty of nature with the aesthetic qualities of art and architecture to create a symbolic representation of paradise on earth.

Ancient Iranians, who regarded planting trees as a sacred activity, gradually blended their expertise in agriculture and architecture into the design of gardens as part of their constant efforts to find more efficient ways to survive extreme climatic conditions.

There are four main elements to the intricate geometric design of Iranian gardens: High walls surrounding the garden to create a protected space for spiritual and leisurely relaxation; a koushk (palace) on the highest point in the middle of the garden; a water pool decorated with tileworks and fountains; one or several water canals for irrigation of the entire green space.

Iranian gardens often integrate the indoor area of the koushk with its surrounding garden through an inner courtyard, with architectural elements such as vaulted arches connecting the two spaces.

Iranian gardens were basically built in front of the water flow coming out of qanats, underground tunnels for transferring of water.

Read more from source: PressTV-Iranian gardens, symbols of paradise on earth

May 14, 2018May 15, 2018

Persian Empire – Facts & Summary; HISTORY.com

The Persian Empire is the name given to a series of dynasties centered in modern-day Iran that spanned several centuries—from the sixth century B.C. to the twentieth century A.D. The first Persian Empire, founded by Cyrus the Great around 550 B.C., became one of the largest empires in history, stretching from Europe’s Balkan Peninsula in the West to India’s Indus Valley in the East. This Iron Age dynasty, sometimes called the Achaemenid Empire, was a global hub of culture, religion, science, art and technology for more than 200 years before it fell to the invading armies of Alexander the Great.

CYRUS THE GREAT

The Persian Empire started as a collection of semi-nomadic tribes who raised sheep, goats and cattle on the Iranian plateau.

Cyrus the Great—the leader of one such tribe—began to defeat nearby kingdoms, including Media, Lydia and Babylon, joining them under one rule. He founded the first Persian Empire, also known as the Achaemenid Empire in 550 B.C.

The first Persian Empire under Cyrus the Great soon became the world’s first superpower.

Read more from source: Persian Empire – Facts & Summary – HISTORY.com

May 2, 2018May 3, 2018

Iranian windcatchers: Taming harsh climate for natural ventilation; Arghavan Shamsara; Russia News Now

Iranians have managed to tame the hostile conditions of arid climate and extremely warm regions for thousands of years through construction of windcatchers as a sustainable air ventilation technique and artistic representation of their ingenuity in architectural designs.

A windcatcher, windtower, or as Persians called it, badgir, is an architectural element for creation of natural air conditioning in buildings in arid and extremely warm areas.

The birthplace of the technology is still unclear, but it is believed to be initially used by ancient Egyptians. However, it was the Iranians who made the most of the versatile technology and excelled at building the world’s most famous windtowers.

The file photo shows the windtower of the Boroujerdi Mansion in the central Iranian city of Kashan.

Apart from arid and semi-arid areas in central and southern Iran, windcatchers can also be found in traditional Persian-influenced architecture throughout the Middle East, Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Depending on several factors such as geographical and climate conditions, architectural design, purpose of use and budgetary considerations, windcatchers are built in different shapes, including uni-directional, bi-directional, and multi-directional shapes.

April 15, 2018April 16, 2018

Fath Abad Garden: One of the Most Beautiful Gardens in Iran; Tasnim News Agency

Fathabad garden is located about 25km outside Iran’s southeastern city of Kerman. According to historians, this pattern has been used to constructing Shazdeh Garden in Mahan.

Although this garden isn’t registered as a part of the Persian Gardens on the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, it’s still definitely worth visiting. If you’re really looking to wowed, head over to the dignified garden at dusk and soak-in the exquisite red, orange and yellow hues projected onto the mansion’s façade. Not to mention the reflection of it all in the central garden pool!

The history of the construction of the garden is around the year 1255 (Hijri-Shamsi), In Qajar period. Fathabad memorial garden “Fazl Ali Khan Biglarbeygi” was the ruler of Kerman. That is why it is also called Biglarbeygi Garden.

The magnificently crafted mansion is comprised of multiple arcades on its ground floor and surrounding walls, all while holding up the stunning second floor with its glorious terrace.

In its day, the Fathabad qanat was a key supplier of water for the city of Kerman.

April 13, 2018April 15, 2018

The Islamic Republic of Iran; Kathy Bernie; Travel Blog

Iran, October 18 – 26, 2017

Summary: Drove from Ashkabat, Turkmenistan several hours to the border with Iran; crossed into Iran and continued to Mashhad. Flew Mashhad southwest to Shiraz; day trip to Persepolis. Drove north to Esfahan (also, Isfahan), then Kashan and finally Tehran. Flew to Dubai from Tehran.

Our Iranian adventure was an add-on to our three-week trip in The Stans/Central Asia/Silk Road where eighteen of us had been traveling together. Only four of us from The Stans tour took the nine-day extension into Iran: Bernard and I, of course, and two lovely ladies, Sue and Elinor.

It was in Turkmenistan before entering the border crossing that we women changed into our ‘Iranian outfits’ – pants, tunics and scarfs. The literature we’d been given gave specific details about how modest we were to dress: no tight pants or close-fitting tunics, for example. They alarmed us to the point that Elinor brought a full hijab that fit tightly around her head and shoulders. Well, as you can see from the photos, Iranian women were wearing leggings/tight pants with their form-fitting tunics and in some cases the scarf was barely there.

April 11, 2018April 13, 2018

Following global registration: Yazd becomes top tourist destination; Sadeq Dehqan & Katayoon Dashti; Iran Daily

Global registration of Yazd as the largest adobe city of the world on UNESCO’s World Heritage List was an important plan which was ratified by representatives of countries that attended in UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee.

It is a harbinger of events to come for this city and the whole tourism industry of the Iran.

Yazd has witnessed positive developments including rise in number of tourists and rise in revenues in the past 11 months.

Yazd is a city which has achieved to maintain its ancient monuments and architectural texture over the years.

Its residents have managed to adapt themselves to desert conditions.

Currently, this city can be considered as a model for other regions in terms of preserving indigenous architecture.

Iran Daily has interviewed Fatemeh Danesh-Yazdi, chairwoman of Yazd Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Department. Excerpts follow:

IRAN DAILY: Please tell us about your viewpoints regarding special characteristic of Yazd compared to other monuments registered on UNESCO list.

FATEMEH DANESH YAZDI: Seventy-seven cities have been registered as a historical city which has an ancient or archeological site.

April 3, 2018April 5, 2018

Tabriz Historic Bazaar Complex: A Melting Pot of Tradition, Trade, Culture; Tasnim News Agency

Tabriz historic bazaar complex, a labyrinth of interconnected covered passages that adds up to about 5 kms, has been a melting pot of cultural exchange since antiquity and once a hot spot on the ancient Silk Road.

The bazaar, which has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list, embraces countless shops, over 20 caravanserais and inns, some 20 vast domed halls, bathhouses, and mosques, as well as other brick structures and enclosed spaces for different functions.

Tabriz is the capital of northwestern province of East Azarbaijan.

The history of the Tabriz bazaar dates back to over a millennium ago, however majority of fine brick vaults that capture most visitor’s eyes date from the 15th century.

Most mazes and passages offer certain commodities such as carpets, metalwork, toys, clothing, jewelry, and kitchen appliances, traditional spices, herbal remedies and natural perfumes.

One can also bump into colorful grocery stores, bookbinders, blacksmiths, tinsmiths, coppersmiths, tobacconists, tailors, flag sellers, broadcloth sellers, carpenters, shoemakers, and knife-makers.

March 30, 2018March 31, 2018

Bisotun: The World’s Largest Inscription; Tehran Times

TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Bisotun bas-relief bears exceptional testimony to the distinctive visual arts in prehistoric Iran. It is nested on an elevated limestone cliff of a mountain of the same name in Iran’s western Kermanshah Province.

Inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage site, the inscription is a patchwork of immense yet impressive life-size carvings depicting the king Darius I and several other figures. It was the first cuneiform writing that was deciphered in the 19th century.

Darius I, byname Darius the Great (r. 522–486 BC) was one of the greatest rulers of the Achaemenid dynasty, who was noted for his administrative genius and for his great building projects.

The inscription, measuring about 15 meters high and 25 meters wide, was created on the order of King Darius I in 521 BC. It bears three different cuneiform script languages: Old Persian, Elamite, and Babylonian.

Much of it celebrates his victories over numerous pretenders to the Persian Empire’s throne. It is unique, being the only known monumental text of the Achaemenids to document a specific historic event, that of the re-establishment of the empire by the king.

March 19, 2018March 20, 2018

The 14 Most Incredible Domes in the World; Luxatic

A dome is an interesting architectural element that resembles the upper half of a sphere. While its definition is controversial, the effect it has on us humans is clear. Domes simply fascinate us.

Traces of domes go back to prehistory, and along the time, they were built out of mud, stone, snow, concrete, brick, metal and other materials as well. They’ve been found in the early Mesopotamia, and in the Ancient World as well, in Roman, Persian and Chinese architecture and have spread out all over the world until today.

The popularity of the dome is strictly tied to its symbolism. The dome embodies the sky, which plays a powerful part in celestial and mortuary traditions all over the world and since a very long time ago. That’s why we’re most probably impressed by a dome shaped roof, because it sparks something inside us.

But beyond the symbolism of it, there are other architectural elements that impress us a great deal when we see them, so let’s now take a look at the most incredible domes in the world:

14. The United States Capitol, Washington D.C.

Source: The 14 Most Incredible Domes in the World