About
Yazd
History lives in Yazd
Yazd is one of the metropolises of Iran. This city is known as the first city made of raw clay in the world and the second historical city in the world. This beautiful and old city has many fans among Iranian and non-Iranian tourists.
This city is also famous for having the world's first safe deposit box from 1700 years ago. The city of Yazd in the eighth century by Atabkan Yazd has been at the peak of its development in the past. Many of the historical monuments of Yazd belong to the Zoroastrian religion and this indicates the high number of Zoroastrians in Yazd.
History of Yazd
History lives in Yazd
Yazd is one of the metropolises of Iran. This city is known as the first city made of raw clay in the world and the second historical city in the world. This beautiful and old city has many fans among Iranian and non-Iranian tourists.
This city is also famous for having the world’s first safe deposit box from 1700 years ago. The city of Yazd in the eighth century by Atabkan Yazd has been at the peak of its development in the past. Many of the historical monuments of Yazd belong to the Zoroastrian religion and this indicates the high number of Zoroastrians in Yazd.
The city of Yazd is known for its windbreaker and historical monuments; So naturally, when you walk in the city, you will see tall and beautiful windbreaker everywhere you look.
The tallest minarets in Iran are related to the Yazd Grand Mosque, which is world famous. The historical ritual of turning the palm, which is a historical-Islamic ritual specific to the days of Tasua and Ashura, is still held in Yazd.
Yazd is also considered the fifth industrial province of Iran. For this reason, its name is also in the list of the most polluted cities in Iran. The most important industries of Yazd are: carpets and fabrics, steel and iron mines, tile factories, stone and coal mines, cable and fiber optic factories, food and carpet production industries, goldsmithing and goldsmithing industry. Researchers and historians of the world consider the city of Yazd as the birthplace of water, wind and aqueduct architecture.
The people of Yazd speak Persian with a sweet Yazdi accent and cook the most delicious sweets in Iran.
Yazdi sweets and baklava have a heavenly taste and are the main souvenirs of this province.
Historical background of Yazd city
According to the available sources regarding the existential background of Yazd city, some cities of Yazd province were related to the time of the presence of Suleiman the Prophet as well as Zahhak and Alexander and even to the Prophet Ibrahim.
These sources can be a document to prove that this city is old. There are many ancient monuments in different parts of Yazd that these works can include stone structures or tools and even various paintings.
Some people know the existence of Yazd city from the time of Yazdegerd I.
At one time, Bahram v passed one of his trips through the city of Yazd and at the same time his illness decreased, so he ordered the construction of a city in the Yazd region and named it Yazdegerd. After the death of Bahram v, Yazdegerd began to rule. After a while, Yazdegerd divided this city into two parts and gave it to his two children.
After a long time, Khosrow II became the ruler of this city and gave this city as a gift to his daughter. Considering that his daughter’s name was Mehrgerd, he built a small village far from Yazd city and named it Mehrgerd.
The city of Yazd has seen different situations during the Atabakan rule of Yazd, the rule of the Mongols, the rule of the rulers of Al-Muzaffar, the rule of the Timurids, the Safavid rule, the Zandi dynasty and the Qajar dynasty.
The name of Yazd
The word Yazd in the word means pure. This word is derived from the words (Yasht) and (Yasen), which give the root of praise and worship. In pre-Islamic times, that is, in the time of the Medes and Parthians and even before the arrival of the Aryans, there were many names for Yazd. Ibn Balkhi, the author of the book Farsnameh, introduced this city as Katheh (which means prison in Greek) in his book.
The reason for naming this city Katheh is rooted in the action of Alexander the Great, who arrested his opponents in the city of Rey and brought them to Yazd and imprisoned them in Yazd. After a long time and the arrival of Islam in Iran and the conversion of the people of Yazd to Islam, the city of Ala al-Dawlah Kalnjar asked the Seljuk emperor to give him the government of this city for the center of worship. Malik-Shah renamed the city of Katheh as )Dar al-Ebadah(, with the meaning a place of worship of this city. When the Malik-Shah captured Iraq, he went to Isfahan and the ruler of Isfahan welcomed him sincerely.
Because of this respect, he resigned from capturing Isfahan, but after three years, by sending gifts, he asked the ruler of Isfahan to give him Isfahan without a war; the ruler of Isfahan accepted and asked the Malik-Shah for a place of worship, which the Malik-Shah invited him to Yazd, which at that time was known as the House of Worship (place of worship).
Language in Yazd
Yazdi dialect is one of the dialects of Persian language that is common in Yazd province. Indigenous people of Yazd province, with the exception of Zoroastrians and Jews of Yazd and people of Khatam and Abarkuh cities, speak Persian with their own dialect.
The main feature of Yazdi dialect and its main difference with standard Persian is except for the phonetic and lexical differences in the reliance and melody of the word. Also, Yazdi dialect is one of the many dialects and dialects of Iran, due to its originality, depth and roots, as well as low fusion into Arabic.
The religion of the people in Yazd
Most of the people of Yazd are Muslims and Shiites of the Twelve Imams. Also, a large group of Iranian Zoroastrians live in Yazd, and a small minority of Jews also live in this city. In and around the city of Yazd, there are various shrines for Zoroastrians where special ceremonies of the followers of this religion are held.
One of them is the celebration of the century, which is one of the most famous and public Zoroastrian ceremonies.
As the first bank in Yazd province and the southeast of the country during the Qajar period was built by a Jewish businessman and is now located in the neighborhood of Lab Khandagh. )ditch)
Almost all of the Jews of Yazd immigrated to Israel after the revolution. There is also a small minority of Armenians in Yazd.
Yazd province is limited to Isfahan province from the north and west, to South Khorasan province from the northeast, to Kerman province and Fars province from the south, and is 700 km away from Tehran.
The province is located in the arid and semi-arid belt of the northern hemisphere and has 51 villages, 23 cities, 20 districts and 9 counties and has a population of nearly one million people. Yazd has a hot and dry climate and most of the province is desert. Temperatures fluctuate above zero to 46 degrees Celsius in summer, with an average annual rainfall of 110 mm.
The most important Yazd Attractions , the UNESCO landscape
It is one of the most magnificent and beautiful historical buildings and sights of Yazd province, which is located in the center of the city with high minarets. The main foundations of the mosque were laid on a fire temple during the Sassanid period, but after Islam in the patriarchal and Timurid period, it was completed as a mosque.
Yazd Grand Mosque is the oldest example of architecture in the ninth century AH in the architecture of the religious district of Yazd.
The length of Yazd Grand Mosque is 104 meters and its width is 99 meters and it has seven entrances. These seven entrances are connected to several alleys and exit routes. The original founder of Ala Al-Dawlah Mosque was Kalanjar, who is from the dynasty of Al-Buwayh and the ruler of Yazd during the reign of the Seljuk king. The construction and completion of the Yazd Grand Mosque has been done during a century and in different historical periods, the most important of which are the patriarchal monarchy, Safavids, Timurid rule, Al-Muzaffar and Qajar rule.
The collection of Mullah Ismail was built in 1222 AH during the reign of Fath Ali Shah Qajar by the order of Mullah Ismail Aghdaei. This complex includes a mosque and a school. Next to the mosque, there is a bazaar and a water tank with the same name. Only the entrance door of the mosque, which was actually the entrance door of the school in ancient times, opens to the bazaar.
Amir Chakhmaq Mosque is one of the most beautiful mosques in Iran, which was built by order of an Iranian woman. This mosque is located in Amir Chakhmaq complex. Amir Chakhmaq Mosque is known as one of the most important mosques in Yazd due to its beautiful architecture and exterior and interior design, and it has been named the New Grand Mosque of Yazd.
The Lari House was built in 1248 AD during the period when the Qajar dynasty was still in Iran. This house was one of the largest and most luxurious houses of its time, which had a large area.
The lari house, after leaving its glory behind, also experienced a period of ruin. This house has even been the residence of the Nematollahi people of Yazd for some time. The houses that are built in desert areas have different architectures and special materials are used in them. brick is one of the most widely used building materials in desert areas, which cools the interior of the building.
The Markar Museum of Yazd is in fact the Museum of Zoroastrian History, Culture and Art of this city. Apparently, about 80 years ago, a person named Pashtunji Markar launched this collection. By visiting this museum, you can get acquainted with Zoroastrians and their customs.
The Markar Museum has been established in a building that is more than 80 years old. The special and unique architectural style of this building has made it famous. In the Markar Museum, sunlight, with its maximum amount, illuminates the interior.
The mirror that is a symbol of purity and truth in Persian culture. This transparent object has played an important role in Iranian architecture over the years and has left beautiful decorations. The Palace of Mirrors Museum was built in 1320 AH as a private guest house by a person named Sarrafzadeh.
Heidarzadeh Coin and Anthropology Museum, which is considered as a specialized museum of coins in the country, has collections of old gold, silver, copper, and brass coins related to 42 historical periods from the Achaemenid period to the present day, which is a treasure trove of 5,000 coins. is. The most famous of these coins are the gold and silver coins of Abbas Ibn Mamun and Ahmad Ibn Ali Samani, the coin of the beginning of the reign of Karim Khan Zand and the coin of Nader Shah.
A collection of old banknotes from the time of Nasser al-Din Shah to the present, more than 100 old locks, a collection of silver ornaments, a collection of rosaries in various types of silver, simple, agate, amber and garlic are among the museum’s old objects. A set of chains, a set of opal and brass rings, a set of weapons, a set of cooking utensils, a set of lighting fixtures are other objects kept in the museum.
The historical context of this city has its roots in the ancient history of Iran; But the monuments and monuments that have been discovered in the historical context of Yazd date the city to the first and second centuries AH.
This area is the largest area in the historical context in terms of size. The characteristic of the houses in this area is that they are thatched. There are more than 1700 brick buildings in this historical context.
The Tomb of the Twelve Imams is one of the oldest buildings in Yazd and the second most historic dome in Iran, built during the Seljuk dynasty. The issue that makes this tomb important is the architecture and construction of its brick dome, which is one of the masterpieces of Seljuk art. Other features of this place include the dome on a square plan. The great researcher and experienced Iran ologist Mr. Arthur Upham Pope have mentioned this building several times in his book “Iranian Art Plan”. This historical monument was registered as one of the national monuments of Iran on July 21, 1313 AH with the number 207. The tomb of the Twelve Imams is located next to Alexander Prison and can be visited from outside.
Dowlat Abad Garden
Dowlat Abad Gardenin Yazd was built in the late Afshari period and early Zandieh period in 1160 AH by Mohammad Taghi Khan Bafghi known as (Khan Bozorg) who was the head of the Khan family of Yazd.
Taghi Khan first built a 65-kilometer-long aqueduct called Dowlat Abad and delivered water from Mehriz to Yazd and the current location of Dowlat Abad Garden, and then built his own government complex.
This garden with a large area includes many buildings, ponds and fountains, in the space between which is a garden decorated with pomegranate and grape trees and many bagels.
During the Qajar period, this garden was connected to the gate of four minarets, but it was still located outside the city. But with the passage of time and the expansion of the surrounding urban development project, it was filled, so that during the Pahlavi era, the garden was gradually located in the center of Yazd city.
Bahram fire temple in Yazd
In Yazd province, there are several famous Zoroastrian fire temples. The Bahram Fire Temple in Yazd, or the Fire Temple in Yazd, is one of the most valuable fire temples in Iran, where the sacred fire is kept. This mansion is one of the sacred buildings of Zoroastrians that dates back to the first Pahlavi era. Entering this place, which is considered as a Zoroastrian shrine, and as there is a hierarchy for worship, has always been associated with special rituals and rituals for worshipers of the Zoroastrian religion, because in the Zoroastrian religion, men and women must enter Use white hats and scarves, as well as light-colored clothing, respectively. Wearing shoes that have not been allowed to enter holy places in Iranian culture for a long time.
The Bahram Fire Temple in Yazd dates back to the Pahlavi era and its construction dates back to 80 years ago, but the fire that burns inside it has been lit for more than 1,500 years.
Six windbreaks
This reservoir, which is the most beautiful reservoir in Yazd, has 6 windbreaks that are responsible for keeping the air inside the reservoir cool; 3 windbreaks were built at the time of construction and after years, 3 more windbreaks were added to it.
Newer windbreaks are slightly different from their old counterparts. Six windbreaks are one of the reservoirs belonging to the Qajar period. Manufacturers have made these windbreaks octagonal for greater wind efficiency. The height of the reservoir as well as the architectural beauty of this building, brick decorations and the presence of Mogharnas works are the features of this complex. Until a few decades ago, this storage water was used.
Tower of silence
The crypt or tower of silence is a place where the Zoroastrians placed the bodies of the dead in these places based on the belief that the corpses were impure so that the flesh of these dead bodies could be eaten by predators and birds. According to Zoroastrians, burying a human corpus contaminated the sacred element of the soil.
In Zoroastrianism, mourning for the dead is forbidden. In ancient times, there was no building as a crypt, and corpus were placed only in remote places to be destroyed. The use of the term refers to a time when the Aryan tribes burned the corpus of the dead and the burial sites were called Crypt.
With the advent of Zoroastrianism, the custom of burning the body became obsolete; But the crypt remained in place and was used to mean the location of the deceased or the burial place of the case.
Jameh Mosque of Fahraj
Fahraj Mosque is the only remaining mosque built by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps from the first century after the conquest of Yazd.
The location of the altar of this mosque in the transverse axis and its decorations show that this mosque was built in the beginning of Islam. Fahraj Mosque with its single brick minaret and no dome, inscriptions, tiles and other decorations has been considered.
Amir Chakhmaq Square
Amir Chakhmaq is the name of a complex in the historical context of Yazd.This complex consists of different sections such as bazaar, reliance, mosque and water storage.All these parts date back to the Timurid era. This square was built by Amir Jalaluddin Chakhmaq.
He, who was one of the commanders of the Timurid government, with the help of his wife, built the Amir Chakhmaq complex for the development of Yazd and built this large square in front of it.
This square has been renovated many times throughout history and during the time of different kings.
These repairs have caused many changes in its structure. The most important building in this complex is the Jameh Mosque of Yazd.
Yazd clock square
In the past, there was no clock in all the houses, so the people in charge of urban planning ordered the construction of a tall mansion with a clock on the highest point of the city so that all people could see the time. Clock Square Tower, built almost a thousand years ago in 752 AH, is the oldest city clock in the world due to its old tower. But the clock and its reconstruction were completed during the Qajar dynasty and have remained the same ever since.
Rasoulian mansion
Yazd is very famous for its traditional structures. One of the examples of this architecture is the Rasoulian mansion, which was built by Haj Mirza Kazem Rasoulian. It dates back to 1283 and was built in the last years of the Qajar dynasty.
This mansion is located in a neighborhood of Yazd, which can well reflect the type of building and the history of Yazd.
Khan Complex (Khan Bazaar, Khan Bath, Khan Square)
Khan Yazd Bazaar and Bath is a part of a valuable historical complex that consists of different parts such as school, square, bazaar and bath and due to its high historical antiquity and unique architectural style, it has become one of the most attractive historical places in our country. This collection, which is reminiscent of the Qajar era, with its indescribable beauties, shows the glory and grandeur of Iran and the taste and art of Iranian architects to tourists and art lovers.
Alexander's Prison
This historical monument with a brick dome of 18 to 20 meters and its walls of 8 to 9 meters shows a unique civilization even in the heart of the desert.
Its construction dates back to the time of Alexander the Great and documents and signs from the year 631 AH can be seen in it.
This building was built by Zia-ud-Din Hussein Razi and was fully accessible by his sons after 74 years.
Unlike the early years when the building was built and used to imprison Alexander the Great’s exiles, it eventually became a very important school, where eight centuries of famous people studied and taught.
Among the reasons that made Alexander’s Prison in Yazd very famous, is the type of architecture and splendor that can be seen in its various parts. This place includes the dome, nave, windbreak, well, courtyard and crypt.
Sadri Garden
Sadri garden, which used to be inhabited by large families. The people of Taft call Sadri Garden the garden of Namir Taft.
At that time, the Namir family was economically part of the middle class. Arbab Namir had 11 children, of which only 5 survived and the rest died as children. After that, Arbab Tafti’s family moved to Sadri Garden and restored it.
Meybod dovecote
Meybod dovecote have been one of the most used towers in the past. Meybod dovecote has four thousand pigeon nests.
Meybod dovecote is a tower that is built to nest birds, especially dovecote in the Middle East and Europe. The main use of this building is to collect bird droppings for use in agriculture, tanning and making gunpowder. Meybod dovecote were usually built in a cylindrical shape.
Narin Castle Meybod
Meybod, which is one of the oldest cities in Iran and Yazd province, is several thousand years old. The most famous historical monument of Meybod is the ancient fortress of Narin Castle Yazd.
This beautiful castle, which is built on a hill, is called Narin Castle. This castle is about 5000 years old and is the oldest government castle in the world.
During different governments such as the Medes to the Sassanids, different parts were built and added to the castle.
Narin Castle Yazd is also the largest mud-brick building left from ancient times around the world.
Abarkooh Ice House
Abarkooh Ice House is a conical building with a round and circular plan that is built in the form of stairs. This structure is about twelve meters high and about the same depth and its longevity dates back to the Qajar period. This building used to be a place for processing and storing ice. The only entrance is a small hatch that was used to remove ice in the summer. In most cases, brick Ice Houses were owned by nobles, and in some cases a charity built and dedicated them for public use.
Chak-Chak Worship
One of the holy places of Zoroastrians who gather in this shrine every year for five days from all over the world from 24 to 28 June and perform their religious and traditional rituals.
The Chak-Chak shrine, also known as Pir Sabz and Chak-Chak, is a symbol of the unity of the Zoroastrian community. Interestingly, it is said that dripping water drops from the walls and ceiling of this place has caused it to be called a check.
Meybod Chapar Khane
Meybod is one of the historical and beautiful cities located in Yazd province. The history of Chapar Khaneh) printing houses (in Iran dates back to centuries before Islam. During the reign of the Parthian and Sassanid governments and after Islam, printing presses were very important for government agencies and printing houses were the eyes and ears of the government in addition to carrying out correspondence and transmitting various news from different places to the center. “During the Qajar period, travelers preferred to stay in printing houses because the rooms were cleaner than the caravanserai rooms.
Printing houses have always been one of the most important buildings that were built between the roads. A number of fresh horses and couriers were kept in the printing presses to be used for sending and exchanging letters and loans quickly.
Aghazadeh Historical House of Abarkooh
Some houses are abandoned, but they are still alive, and if you listen to their walls, you can hear the sound of joy and mourning, laughter and tears, anger and fights, the words and sayings of its former inhabitants, and find out their secrets.Aghazadeh House in Abar kooh is one of the beautiful and historical complexes in Abar kooh city in Yazd province. This house has the most beautiful two-floors windbreaks in Iran, and this is one of the reasons why this house is so important.In 1157 AH, “Haj Hossein Abarqavi”, one of the rich people of the city, ordered the construction of this beautiful building.
Khoranagh village
kharanaq village is one of the lesser-known destinations in Iran, which is very popular with European tourists and has one of the largest brick structures in Iran.
kharanaq is a rural village that is 4,500 years old and due to factors, such as erosion, it may not be traced in the coming years, and as a result, it is one of the endangered monuments in Iran.The oldest existing historical document, in which this region is mentioned, dates back to 24 AH and the reign of Yazdegerd Sassanid.
The village has two parts; New section and old section.The old part of the village was inhabited until previous years, but after a while it was abandoned due to erosion; now the villagers live in the new part.This name is one of the old Persian words and means the place where the sun rises or the birthplace of the sun.
Pahlavanpour Mehriz garden
Mehriz is a city from the Sassanid rule that is about 1600 years old.Aqueducts pass through the garden of Mehriz, the source of which is about 40 km away.
Researchers believe that the daughter of Anoushirvan Sassanid named Mehrnegar ordered the construction of these aqueducts in this area, and after these aqueducts developed the villages of this area and created a relative prosperity for this point, the commanders and commanders under this lady and The Sassanid prince named the new village Mehrgerd, and Mehrgerd became Mehrijerd over time and gradually became known as Mehriz.Pahlavanpour Garden is one of the gardens belonging to the late Qajar period.
This garden belonged to a person named “Hassan Malareza” who after him belonged to his son-in-law “Ali Pahlavan”.
At the End
Why Yazd?
Yazd is the city of living clay walls that bring the sounds of life to your ears. Make yourself a tourist guest in this voice to hear the heart of a part of Iran’s glorious history beating in Yazd. This city shows you the endurance and permanence of historical times. Yazd introduces you to ancient Iranian customs.