Shiraz Tour And Excursion

 

Shiraz Tour And Excursion

Shiraz Tour And Excursion introduces The province of Fars, located in southwestern Iran near the Persian Gulf, which has played such a significant role in the country’s ancient history that it is considered the center of Iranian identity.

It is this province that gave its name to the Persian language spoken today, Farsi. In the first millennium BC, when the Persian Indo-European tribes arrived in Iran after a long migration from the Caucasus they settled in the Bakhtiari Mountains, to the northeast of present-day Fars, in a region then known as Parsumash.

King Teispes (675-640 BC). To an Iranian, the very mention of the name Shiraz will evoke an elegy to a unique sophistication, an art of living present nowhere else in the world, the product of an ancient and learned civilization.

Shiraz is an opulent oasis of greenery and culture in an otherwise barren landscape; it is the town of roses, nightingales, love, and, at one time, wine. But above all, Shiraz is the town of the poetry of Saadi and Hafez. Shiraz is the capital city of Fars province and a treasure trove of Persian culture.

Despite of size, a population of about 1.5 million, and appalling traffic problems, it has retained the relaxed atmosphere of a provincial town, with a university that still retains its reputation.

Many foreign visitors are surprised that the city itself has so few surviving historical monuments when there are such archaeological treasures in the neighboring countryside.

Shiraz which is known as a city of lovers is a land full of worth seeing things. It is believed that Shiraz is the most beautiful tourist city in Iran.

This city has been known as the most significant tourism center, the 6th populous city, the cultural capital of the country, the 2nd literary city in the world, the 3rd religious city, the 3rd holy shrine of Iran, and the city of poetry, wine, and flowers.

The tombs of several poets such as Hafez and Saadi are placed in Shiraz which embraces a significant part of Iran’s ancient history, and historical, cultural, religious, and natural attractions. By traveling and visiting Shiraz you will discover and explore the most important city in Iran and Persian history. Shiraz is a city that must be seen.

 

Shiraz Briefly

A settlement from Achaemenid times. To an Iranian, the very mention of the name Shiraz will evoke an elegy to a unique sophistication, an art of living present nowhere else in the world, the product of an ancient and learned civilization.

Shiraz is an opulent oasis of greenery and culture in an otherwise barren landscape; it is the town of roses, of nightingales, love, and, at one time, wine. But above all, Shiraz is the town of the poetry of Saadi and of Hafez.

The first capital of Fars, some 2500 years ago, was Pasargadae (located near  Shiraz). It was also the capital of Achaemenid King Cyrus the Great.

The ceremonial capital of his successor, Darius, and his son Xerxes the Great was Persepolis. Today, only the ruins of these two capitals remain.

Estakhr was another capital of Fars. It was established by the Sassanians and lasted until Shiraz finally assumed the role of the regional capital.  Shiraz really prospered from the early Islamic era, quickly developing into a walled city.

Local disputes between warlords during the 11th—12th centuries caused problems, but Shiraz largely escaped severe damage by the Mongol armies, and its tactical surrender to Timur Leng in 1395 was rewarded by great prosperity under his grandson’s governorship.

The good fortune was not to last. In 1668 severe flooding brought death and outbreaks of plague. The citizens had barely recovered when the Afghan rebels, destroying the remnants of Safavid authority, set about massacring the population in 1725.

However, under the rule of Karim Khan Zand (d 1779, and still remembered with great affection today) and his descendants, Shiraz regained its former prosperity as the Zand capital for some 20 years in the second half of the 18th century.

Those days of tolerance were short-lived; 15% of the population were Jewish in the early 19th century, but few Jews remain today.

 

 

Today it is the place to smell the beautiful Shiraz roses and to buy perfume and rose water.

Shiraz is also a place to walk in the gardens. Amazing Persian Gardens. You can’t find it in any other place. Must see these amazing Persian Gardens during your stay in Shiraz. Shiraz known as the city of flowers and birds in Iran is the most pleasant in April and May.

With its many orange gardens, you can almost smell the scent of spring everywhere in the city. Shiraz has so many beautiful gardens, Eram Garden, Naranjestan Garden, Afif Abad Garden, Jahan Nama Garden, and Delgosha Garden are just some of them.

The particular tree which is planted in these gardens are orange trees and their blooming season is March and April. Shiraz gardens are ornate in different manners with these aromatic trees.

In Shiraz City, If you want to see the rugs and carpets associated with such clans, Shiraz is the place to look, but prices are no longer cheap and quality is variable since such work was highly acclaimed in the West during the 1976 World of Islam exhibitions in the UK.

 

 

 

WHAT TO SEE IN SHIRAZ

 

SHIRAZ ATTRACTIONS

 

QORAN GATE  (Darvazeh-e Qoran)

Entering Shiraz from the north, the first visible monument is the Quran Gate (Darvazeh-e Quran), originally built in the 10th century in the city walls.

It was Karim Khan Zand (King of Persia ) who ordered a Quran to be placed in the gatehouse so that all travelers would be blessed as they left for the open road.

In Iranian culture, walking behind the Quran, when you are going to go to travel, cause brings auspicious moments throughout the journey.

Thus, they installed the holy book to cause lucky things. Besides this gate is a highway to Isfahan and Tehran cities, nowadays; but there was Allahu Akbar V

alley about 50 years ago.

Kkajoo Kermani tomb is on top of this site and let’s take a look, it has a fantastic scene, also one of the eight known Qajar rock-reliefs, cl 824, showing Fath Ali Shah (d 1834) on a throne dais supported by two angels, with two of his numerous sons in attendance.

Recently, these hillsides have been landscaped with terraces, water cascades the odd kiosk, and a tea house, the Khajoo. While they offer unparalleled views of the city lights at night, the tramp noise and pollution are overpowering.

Khajoo Kermani Tomb

Khajoo Kermani was a well-known 14th-century poet from the city of Kerman (located in the south of Fars Province), who left his hometown to travel to cities of the Islamic world and finally settled in Shiraz.

It is said that he kept them in the company of many notable figures in Shiraz such as Hafez and Ubayd Zakani. Located on the slope of Sabuy Hill in the north of Shiraz, the tomb was built by the General Bureau of Archeology before the Islamic revolution and underwent renovation after it.

Its structure overlooks the Quran Gate and is reached by a stone stairway. On the first level, there is a white stone structure like an open veranda fronted by a corbelled arch and three pillars in the middle.

The statue of Khajoo Kermani carved out of stone and a wall inscription of his poems are the other features of this veranda.

The stairway on the upper level leads visitors to an unroofed space laid out around the grave of the poet. The round gravestone, enclosed by a glass box, has no inscription and lacks information concerning the owner of the grave.

It only bears a verse from the Quran: “All that is on earth will perish: But will abide (forever) the Face of thy Lord, – full of Majesty, Bounty, and Honor”. Two short pillars situated below and above the gravestone are the other notable characteristics of the tomb, representing a custom practiced in the construction of the tombs of mystics and poets.

 

 

Ali Ibn Hamzeh Holly Shrine

Nearby, down from the 18th-century bridge, is situated the Ali Ibn Hamzeh Holly Shrine, constructed perhaps in pre-Seljuk times to honor a relative of the fourth Imam.

Its two minarets, exterior dome, entrance vestibule, and courtyard rooms, however, date from the late 18th and 19th centuries.

If, as is likely these days, a visit to Shah-e Cheragh shrine is not possible during your stay, this shrine possesses similar extensive Qajar mirror work on its interior walls and vaults.

There is one entrance into the shrine sanctuary (women are asked to don a chador) and as the qibla wall is immediately to the right on entry, one should move quickly to one or the other side to minimize disruption to anyone praying.

 

 

Shah Cheragh Shrine

This third holiest shrine of Iran is the funerary monument hosting the brother of Imam Reza in Mashhad city, one of the 12 Shiite Imams.

The tombs with their remarkable onion-shaped domes were pilgrimage centers in the 14th century. This place is one of the most significant places of pilgrimage in the city of Shiraz.

Its new architecture follows the architecture of shrines with a big yard and has a picturesque, breathtaking design.

The entrance to this holy and impressive shrine is free. Inside the building is decorated with numerous mirror works that make you really dazzle.

Shah Cheragh shrine is one of the most elegant and charming ones even in Iran. At night the sparkling lights make an amazing spectacle in this eye-catching manmade attraction site.

Shah Cheragh shrine is beautiful at any time of the day but especially at dawn and night time when you can admire the beauty of the reflected colors and lights of the tiles.

You will not be able to grasp the splendor of this architectural work of art if I explain just in words; so please when you travel to Shiraz, Iran, do pay a visit to this gorgeous religious site.

 

 

Eram Garden

Eram Garden (Garden of Heaven) is an acclaimed notable Persian garden in Shiraz, Iran.

It is a substantial garden with a superb-looking royal residence in it. The untainted Eram Garden is a hitting area for guests with an assortment of plants and also a notable manor.

In spite of the fact that the correct date of the development of the garden is not clear, chronicled confirmation proposes it was built amid the Seljuk(11-12AD).

Tradition on the requests of the observed Seljuk ruler Sanjar the same number of different patio nurseries was planted amid his rule.

In the same way as other memorable landmarks in the southern city of Shiraz, it was re-established and repaired by the Zand rulers. It is such a unique and gorgeous garden that is inscribed on the UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE.

In the holy book of the Quran, Eram is described as the Paradise for the blessed ones. It has a great atmosphere surrounded by tall cypress trees, fragrant flowers, and aromatic sour orange trees.

 

 

Shapouri Garden

The historical house of Shapouri belongs to the early Pahlavi reign in Persia (Iran).

The Shapouri House was built between 1930 and 1935.  This nice house is located in the city Centre (Anvari Street) of Shiraz.

It has 840 square meters of underpinning and 4635 square meters of garden area and 2 stairs. Shapouri mansion was designed by Abolghasem Mohandesi, the well-known architect of Shiraz, the owner was Abdolsaheb Shapouri one of the great merchants of Shiraz.

This building is unique and very innovative. Shapoori House and Garden are precious examples of their time and represent the innovation and creativity of plans, facades, and structures.

The innovations applied to the structure of this garden have turned it into an Iranian-European garden. Some of the invaluable features of Shapouri House are the western (major) façade decorations, circular and designed gaseous columns, and tiling with Achaemenid designs on the upper porch.

This mansion was registered as a National Building in 2000 with registration number 2781.

 

Afif Abad Garden

Afif-Abad Garden is a museum complex in Shiraz, Iran. Located in the affluent Afif-Abad district of Shiraz, the complex was constructed in 1863.

It contains a former royal mansion, a historical weapons museum, and a Persian garden, all open to the public. It’s an old and beautiful garden with its residence in the middle of the city. A very quiet and pleasant place to visit and take lots of photos even for couples.

You can also rent traditional clothes for more interesting photos.

Delgosha Garden (Bagh-e Delgosha)

Also suggested is the Bagh-e Dalgosha (‘Garden of Heart’s Ease’) nearby.

The extensive grounds broadly retain their 1820 layout (actually originally set out in 1790) although the water channels have been relined with tacky turquoise tiles and the original mud-brick walls were destroyed in 2000 for new railings.

In the center stands a pavilion from late Zand or early Qajar times, in this dramatic setting with the surrounding hills and tall cypresses. Together with the Bagh-e Eram, this garden and a small one within the newly opened Arg of Karim Khan Zand are the best examples of the ‘classical’ Persian garden outside Mahan and Kashan.

Naranjestan Garden

Narenjestan Garden in Shiraz is one of the most beautiful and praised gardens one will love to visit.

This amazing garden was built in the 19th century. This garden belonged to the Qavam family. At that time, the Qavam family was among the political figures of Shiraz and the Qavam House was the residential place of the Qavam family and the office for their administration.

Since the garden has an abundance of sour orange trees, people call it Narenjestan or the orange garden as well. Today, Narenjestan-e Qavam house and the museum are open to the public and it is one of the main attractions of Shiraz that hosts many tourists who travel to Iran.

Zinat Al-Mulk House

Zinat al-Mulk House, the magnificent Qajar mansion, is one of the attractions of Shiraz, Iran.

The mansion once belonged to the Qavam al-Mulk family, who ruled over Shiraz for years; The house was named after the daughter of the owner, Zinat al-Mulk. This fabulous house is considered the only house in Shiraz with a brick basement beneath its total surface.

The construction was started in 1290 AH and finished by 1302 AH by Ali Mohammad Khan Ghavam al-Mulk. This famous and spectacular building is located at Lotf Ali Khan Zand Street, next to Narenjestan Garden; indeed, it is connected to it by an underground way.

Nasir Al-Mulk Mosque or Pink Mosque

Exiting the bazaar by the carpet quarter, turning right and then right again, leads to a charming mosque, the Nasir al-Mulk Mosque.

Nasir-Al-Mulk Mosque also called the “Mosque of Colors,” the “Rainbow Mosque” and most notably the “Pink Mosque”, was constructed along with a bathhouse, a school, and a cistern.

Construction of this Qajar complex took about ten years (1876-1887) and was carried out by Haj Mohammad Hassan, with the command of Mirza Hasan Ali Nasir al-Molk, the third son of Qavam al-Mulk.

The latter was the ruler of Fars and enjoyed the trust of the Qajar court. Probably the most famous Mosque in Iran – and certainly the most photographed, the Pink Mosque of Shiraz is a reason alone to visit Shiraz and does not disappoint.

Best viewed just after opening when the rainbow shadow stretches all the way across the room  – though be prepared to fight the crowds for the perfect photo.

While the kaleidoscope of color at the Pink Mosque is the main feature, there are also plenty of other beautiful rooms and details to take in, including a newly added underground storage tunnel that has been renovated and opened. The Pink Mosque of Shiraz is one thing you cannot miss the chance to see in person.

Hafez Tomb

There is no way for a Persian to hear Shiraz’s name and doesn’t immediately think about Hafez.

To Persians, he is nothing less than a prophet. The prophet of love, art, and beauty inside. Hafiz is an inseparable item of any Persian celebration and ceremony such as Nowruz and Yalda Night.

He is one of the poetry geniuses from all times, whom Goethe, the great German poet, wished to be one of his disciples. The chances of not finding a Hafiz book in any Persian house are zero.

Hafez Shirazi is beloved among Iranians, and anyone, from children to the elderly enjoys reading his smart, beautiful, and involved poems. Every year, on 22nd October, people show their respect to him on National Hafez Day by his tomb, Hafezieh.

In 1452, 65 years after Hafez’s death, a small, dome-like structure with a large pool in front of it was built near his grave at Golgasht-e Mosalla by the order of Babur Ibn-Baysunkur, a Timurid governor of Shiraz.

At that time, this place was one of Shiraz’s cemeteries and Goldasht-e Mosalla Garden is mentioned several times in Hafez’s poems. The original land that the tomb of Hafez is in was more than two hectares wide.

After that, in the Safavid and Afsharian eras(17-18 AD), this tomb was renovated two times; once on the order of King Shah Abbas, and years later, on the order of Nadershah Afshar. Karim Khan Zand(18AD), the righteous governor of Shiraz, built a new metal shrine with this hafiz Ghazal (or sonnet) engraved on it in calligraphy.

Saadi Tomb

Saadi had a great influence on so many people to reach higher levels of humanity.

Saadi lived in the 13th century, but the rich depth of his poetry with moral and social values has been touching so many hearts all centuries. Undoubtedly, he is one of the masters of Persian literature.

Due to his knowledge, he was called “Sheikh”. Karim Khan Zand ( The King of Persia ) the 18th-century ruler of Shiraz ordered to building of this tomb to honor Saadi.

From the outside, it looks like a square structure. The flat facade is decorated with tiles depicting trees of life in various colors. Under the order of Reza Shah –the founder of the Pahlavi dynasty- they restored the mausoleum.

Saadi is a famous Iranian poet whose poetry has touched so many hearts all over the world. He had a great influence on so many people to reach higher levels of humanity.

Saadi lived in the 13th century, but the rich depth of his poetry with moral and social values has been touching so many hearts all centuries. People quote so many of his poets in their usual life and use them as proverbs.

Undoubtedly he is one of the masters of Persian literature. Saadi was a man of learning. He left his birthplace to Baghdad to study at Nezamiah University – the center of knowledge in the Islamic World.

He was excellent in Arabic literature, Islamic sciences, history, governance, law, and Islamic theology. Due to his knowledge, he was called Sheikh. Tomb of Saadi is one of the tourist attractions of Shiraz city.

Saadi is one of the great Iranian poets who has many lovers. The mausoleum of this great poet, like other poets of Shiraz city, is a very beautiful example of a unique Persian garden.

The grave is inside an octagonal edifice on top of which stands an amazing azure blue dome and inside the mausoleum all around the walls are inscribed with verses of Saadi’s poems. Inside the mausoleum yard and in front of the entrance of the tomb lies a beautiful pond.

People throw coins into the pond so that their wishes will come true. Saadi Tomb is farther from other main attractions of the city of Shiraz and you had better go there by car.

Inside the gorgeous atmosphere of the garden, you can listen to traditional Persian music that is played in the garden and enjoy the relaxing environment of this monument.

Across from the entrance of this garden, stands a traditional ice cream shopping stall which is very popular. Please taste the ice cream and Faloudeh Shirazi (of Shiraz). There is a poem from Saadi that is famous and popular all over the world.

ZANDIYEH COMPLEX

One of the most attractive monuments of Shiraz is the Zand Complex which consists of Arg-e Karim Khan ( Karim Khan Castle), Vakil Mosque, Vakil Bathhouse, Vakil Bazaar, Water Reservoir, and Nazar Garden.

The complex is really beautiful and attractive and you can see a complete complex comprised of a bazaar full of stores, a bathhouse for getting clean, an amazing mosque for saying prayers, a castle as the residential place of the king of Iran, a garden and a museum for receiving the foreign dignitaries and finally a water reservoir.

Vakil Mosque

The beautiful Vakil Mosque was begun by Karim Khan and is the only major mosque surviving from the late Zand period.

Beside the entrance to the bazaar, it has two vast iwans to the north and south a magnificent inner courtyard surrounded by beautifully tiled alcoves and porches, and a pleasingly proportioned 75m-by-36m vaulted prayer hall supported by 48 carved columns.

Inside the prayer hall are an impressive mihrab and 14-step marble minbar, carved from a monolith carried all the way from Azerbaijan. Much of the tiling, with its predominantly floral motifs and arabesques, was added in the early Qajar era.

Vakil Bath House

Vakil Bath House is a flawless representation of the architectural developments of the Zand Dynasty and was built in the center of Shiraz under the direct command of Karim Khan Zand.

This structure is famous for its aesthetic beauty that forces its visitors to walk with their heads held high above because the ceiling is much more impressive.

It is also registered on Iran’s National Heritage list. Shiraz had been under the constant attention of Karim Khan Zand during his reign as it was chosen to be the capital city of the time. He constructed several buildings which were later called as Vakil Complex.

These buildings contain a mosque, bazaar, Bath House, water storage, citadel, and many more. It is said that Karim Khan Zand was eager to resuscitate the priceless history of Iran.

This ancient artwork is discerned as a great dignity and magnificence which is hard to find in any other historic Bath Houses. Such a feature has transformed Vakil Bath House into a notable and admirable mansion of the Zand Dynasty.

Today, the Iran Cultural Heritage Organization has made a lot of attempts to renovate some ruined parts of Vakil Bath House in order to preserve the ancient Persian culture and the Iranian identity.

Archaeologists have taken the decorations and architectural details under careful examination and they have drawn the conclusion that they are inspired by Safavid architecture.

One special fact about ancient Bath Houses that should be noted here is that they were not just normal Bath Houses for cleansing the body.

The other function they used to have was to be a place for particular ceremonies like baby showers, marriage proposals, and other old marriage traditions. However, these traditions are no longer held in Vakil Bath House for the time being.

Nazar Garden or Pars Museum

It is known as Shiraz Pavilion and is the oldest museum in Fars province. Pars Museum or Nazar Garden is the homage of numerous valuable items and objects from different historical eras, from pre-Islamic to post-Islamic.

The building of Pars Museum was built in the middle of a garden and under the direct supervision of Karim Khan Zand, the famous governor of Shiraz.

It has an irregular octagon shape in two stories with a ceiling that is more than 14 meters high. You can take a tour outside the pavilion building and see three historical objects that are in the garden. They are all stone inscriptions that date back to the Qajar era.

Also, you can find trees that are labeled as ancient trees among the numerous trees that exist in this garden. One of the most important parts of this museum is the grave of Karim Khan Zand.

He was one of the most righteous governors in the history of Iran. Based on his will, he was buried inside the pavilion, on the eastern side.

But it is interesting to know that this grave once became empty when then Agha Mohammad Khan, one of the Qajar Kings, decided to move the bones and place them under the staircase of Golestan Palace in Tehran based on his malice toward Karim Khan.

Karim Khan Citadel

The citadel consists of four high walls. The lower section of the exterior walls is three meters in width. It is shaped like an incomplete cone and its width at the top reaches 2.8 meters.

In the upper section of the wall, there is a small chamber, which houses soldiers and guards. Ramparts are built around the top of a castle with a regular gap, some of which are small and diagonal for firing arrows or guns. The bigger gaps were for repelling the enemy.

The palace’s entrance hall is rather large. Located on the eastern side of the citadel, it has one door which opens to the horse stable and another door, which opens toward the roof.

Above the entrance gate, there is a beautiful painting depicting a scene from the battle between Rostam and the White Demon, two mythical personas in the renowned Iranian poet Ferdowsi’s masterpiece ’Shahnameh’

Colorful enameled tiles are used in the painting.  The king’s private bathroom, hall, and guards’ residence are constructed behind this wall. There is a balcony in front of which there are two wooden columns and a square pond. The walls of the citadel are made of stone and baked clay is used in other parts of the building.

Interior decorations include marble of Yazd and Tabriz and large mirrors bought from Europe, Ottoman Turkey, and Russia. Herbal colors and gold plates are used in the ornaments of the ceiling. The rooms are mainly decorated with floral designs. The citadel has three palaces and its entrance angle is allocated to the services section.

After the fall of the Zand Dynasty and during the Qajar period, the citadel was used as the governor’s seat and turned into the residence of Fars governors.

This situation continued until the early years after the coming to power of the Pahlavi dynasty. The tiles of the citadel were repaired at the order of the then governor, Prince Abdulhossein Mirza Farmanfarma (1857-1939).

It was converted into a big city prison and was put at the disposal of the police department during the reign of Reza Shah, the first Pahlavi monarch (1925-1941), and afterward. During all this time, all paintings were covered with plaster, and all rooms and halls were turned into small prison cells by constructing walls.

The Citadel building was put at the disposal of the Cultural Heritage Organization and from this time attention is paid to the rehabilitation of the building.

Great attention has been paid to the rehabilitation of the citadel to preserve the genuineness of the building and its beautiful paintings have been brought to light from under the plasterwork.

This is one of the most important monuments of the Zand era(18 AD) especially that of Karim Khan. It is also important because of depicts the architectural style of this era.

Persepolis

Persepolis, Old Persian Parsa, the ancient capital of the kings of the Achaemenian dynasty of Iran (Persia), is located about 30 miles (50 km) northeast of Shiraz in the Fars region of southwestern Iran. In 1979 the Persepolis was designated a UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE.

Though archaeologists have discovered evidence of prehistoric settlement, inscriptions indicate that construction of the Persepolis began under Darius I, who, as a member of a new branch of the royal house made Persepolis the capital of Persia proper, replacing Pasargadae, the burial place of Cyrus II (the Great). Built in a remote and mountainous region, Persepolis was an inconvenient royal residence, visited mainly in the spring.

The effective administration of the Achaemenian realms was carried on from the imperial cities of Susa, Babylon, and Ecbatana.

This accounts for the Greeks being unacquainted with Persepolis until Alexander the Great’s invasion of Asia. In 330 BCE, during the reign of Darius III, Alexander plundered the city and burned the palace of Xerxes, whose brutal campaign to invade Greece more than a century before had led, eventually, to Alexander’s conquest of the Persian empire.

In 316 BCE Persepolis was still the capital of Persis as a province of the Macedonian empire. The city gradually declined under the Seleucid kingdom and after, its ruins attesting to its ancient glory.

Naghsh- e Rostam (Necropolis)

Naqsh-e Rustam is one of the most spectacular and awe-inspiring ancient sites of the Achaemenid Empire, consisting of the colossal tombs of Persian kings dating back to the first millennium BC.

It stands as a lasting memory of a once powerful empire that ruled over a significant portion of the ancient world. Naqsh-e Rustam is located approximately 5 km (3 miles) to the northwest of Persepolis, the capital of the former Achaemenid (Persian) Empire in present-day Iran.

Engraved on the facade of a mountain range considered sacred in the Elamite periods are the rock-cut tombs of Achaemenid rulers and their families dating to the 4th and 5th centuries BC, as well as richly decorated reliefs carved by the Sasanians in the 3rd century AD.

In addition to being a royal necropolis, Naqsh-e Rustam became a major ceremonial center for the Sasanians until the 7th century AD.

The Naqsh-e Rustam site was already in use prior to the arrival of the Achaemenids, as evidenced by one pre-Achaemenid (possibly Elamite) relief and a number of old graves.

Although this relief has been carved over by a Sasanian relief, a portrait of a man with a forward-pointing hat and a long dress-like garment (clothing not typical of the Achaemenids and Sasanians) can still be discerned on the extreme right of the later relief.

According to some sources, it was this figure that locals associated with the mythical hero of the Shahnameh (Kings Letter ) writings in the “book of the kings”, named Rustam, hence the name of the site. Most of the reliefs, however, date to the beginning of the Sasanian period.

In the 3rd century AD, the Sasanians, a vassal of the Parthian Empire that succeeded in overthrowing its master, were a new power that rose in the East.

In order to legitimize their rule, the Sasanians sought to associate themselves with the Achaemenid (Persian) Empire and regarded themselves as its direct successors. One of the things they did to achieve this goal was to carve reliefs at Naqsh-e Rustam.

Naghsh-e Rajab

Naghsh-e Rajab is one of the most beautiful ancient rock carvings in Iran which is within reach of Persepolis 3 km away in Shiraz. Once you are there, you will see the massive carvings to the right of the Royal Road ( Shahi Road), the main road built here 25 centuries ago to connect Susa in Persia to Sardis in Lydia.

Naghsh-e Rajab has been carved on the northern slope of Mount Rahmat and depicts historical scenes from the coronation of Ardeshir I (224-239 BCE), the figure of Shapur I and his coronation (239-270 BCE), and Kartir, the Magi of all magi in the Sassanid Dynasty.

Many carvings have remained here from the Sassanid Period. As the Sassanid (Second Persian Empire) were from the Achaemenid (First Persian Empire) bloodline, the stone carvings from their time are also concentrated in Pars Province in proximity to Persepolis.

Ardeshir I established the Sassanid Dynasty and Empire and the carving of his coronation is one of the oldest carvings in Naghsh-e Rajab of Fars. This depicts Ardeshir I holding the crown of power in his right hand, which he has received from Ahura Mazda (the Supreme being in Zoroastrianism), while he is wearing a majestic crown on his head and pointing his index finger to the sky as a sign of respect.

In the second carving, Shapur I is seen on his horse at his coronation ceremony. This is a masterpiece from the Sassanid Period and amazing harmony and balance can be seen in the work. Sitting on his horse, Shapur takes the crown of power from Ahura Mazda while he is holding the sword in his left hand.

The details of his face and hand have faded with the passage of time. The third carving also depicts Shapur I on his horse followed by nine 0of his courtiers.

Last but not least, the fourth carving shows the Magi of all Magi, Kartir, one of the most influential religious figures of the Sassanid Period under Shapur I, Bahram I, and Bahram II. He is holding his index finger upward as a sign of respect for the congregation of the Empire which is depicted separately on a carving behind him.

Ardeshir Babakan Palace

rdeshir Babakan Palace, also known as the Atash-kadeh (Fire Temple ), is a castle located on the slopes of the mountain on which Ghaleh Dokhtar is situated and it’s one of the Sassanid archaeological landscape of the Fars region registered in UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE in 2018.

This palace was Built in AD 224 by Ardashir I of the Sassanian Empire, it is located two kilometers (1.2 miles) north of the ancient city of Gor, i.e. the old city of Firouzabad in Fars.

The structure contains three domes, among other features, making it a bit larger and more magnificent than its predecessor the nearby castle of Ghaleh Dokhtar.

However, it seems that the compound was designed to display the royalty image of Ardashir I, rather than being a fortified structure for defense purposes.

That is why perhaps it would be best to refer to the structure as a “palace” rather than a “castle”, even though it has huge walls on the perimeters (twice as thick as Ghaleh Dokhtar), and is a contained structure.

From the architectural design, it seems the palace was more of a place of social gathering where guests would be introduced to the imperial throne.

Ancient City of Bishapur

Between two ancient cities of Persepolis and Susa, linking two Sassanid (224-642 AD) capitals of Estakhr and Ctesiphon, founded or better saying rebuilt on an older city, Bishapur became a dazzling jewel of its era.

The city is named after Shapur I (241-272 AD) Bishais the size is 2.1 kilometers. The city has a square plan with two main streets crossing each other, and reaching the main gates, unlike other Iranian cities that have a circular plan.

There are different assumptions about how the city was built; like being built by the captivated Roman soldiers or by Roman and Iranian architects and artists, but they are all based on the same facts.

The city has a structure quite like the Roman cities of that time with the same micro mosaic decorations in the royal palace. However, it is popularly believed that King Shapur ordered the building of the city after his great victory over the Roam Emperor, Valerian, and captivating him along with his legion.

As a result, it can be dated back to 260 AD. There is also an inscription over two 9-meter-high columns in the city which shows the year 24 after the reign of Shapur, so 264 or 266 AD as Shapur was assigned as King before his father’s death in 242.

Bishapur is one of Iran’s ancient cities, located in Kazerun of Fars province. Bishapur is a treasury of precious Sassanid relics such as the Anahita temple.

The architectural style of this place was the Parthian style. Bishapur historical city was registered on September 16th, 1931 in the list of Iran’s national heritage with a registration number of 24. Bishapur was recorded as UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE in 2018 as one of the Sassanid Archaeological Landscapes of the Fars Region.

 

Ghalat touristic Village

The village of Ghalat, located northwest of Shiraz, is a really splendid ancient virgin site to both visit and hike.

Due to its favorable climatic conditions and undiscovered lovely hills and mountains, this site has attracted the attention of many visitors even from abroad.

Foreigners can spend one or two days familiarizing themselves with rural life and traditions and the delicious local foods of the countryside.

The village has remained intact, especially the northern part of it and that is what attracts a swarm of travelers from the outside regions. You can go hiking on the green hills and valleys of this old village.

There are cafes and coffee shops which serve you local foods of the village and where you can have a rest or relax in a relaxed atmosphere away from dust and exhaust pollution.

You can also hike to reach the waterfalls of his village shining in the heart of the rocky mountains providing the water of this village.

The sky of this village covers the earth like a clean turquoise blue sheet that gives everybody a calming sense or feeling. In spring and summer, you can sit on the roof of the cafes or restaurants of this small village and enjoy looking at nature, the azure sky, and mountains with snow-covered peaks, and listen to soothing traditional Iranian music.

Pink Lake or Maharloo Lake

Maharloo Lake is another salt lake and once home to migrant birds who have, sadly, diminished as drought has dried this lake up.

Much like Lake Urmia though, rainfall helps to restore water levels. Rich in potassium and other salts, the lake turns pink due to a high percentage of pink-colored algae.

Those flying into Shiraz can witness spectacular views from above when the lake is full, and those on the ground can enjoy both the lake and the beautiful surrounding scenery.

Margoon Waterfall

It seems that when God created the world, he copied some pieces of heaven directly to the Earth, Margoon Waterfall is one of these places!

The incredible feeling of fresh water on your skin, the Heavenly sound of water dropping, and the breathtaking view of this waterfall make you wonder as you step inside heaven.

Margoon Waterfall is secretly hidden inside the mountains of the Sepidan region. With its spectacular fountains and rivers, this area is perfect for nature lovers.

On your way to the waterfall, you will see numerous colorful flowers, such as fritillaries, and incredible mountain sceneries, Maybe you’ll forget about the waterfall and just enjoy the road itself! It is worth mentioning that the best time to travel to Margoon Waterfall is during spring and summer, as in wintertime the road might be snowy and it is dangerous for you to reach the place.

You can drive to the waterfall, but you have to park your car about 800 meters before the waterfall entrance because no vehicle can pass through further.

Also, you have to do a little hiking to get to this lovely place. Finally, at the end of your hiking journey, lovely streams will touch your feet, the weather will get a little cooler, and your ears will be filled with the sound of water pouring.

Just go a little further, and now you can see it! It is time to close your eyes and take a deep, deep breath to feel the freshness and joy inside this place thoroughly. One of the exciting facts about Margoon Waterfall is that the water of this waterfall is not supplied by any river or spring above the mountains.

Actually, the water comes out from the stone holes! This beautiful lady who is wearing a dress of emerald moss is more than 70 meters high. Enjoy every second of its fantastic company and don’t forget to take as many pictures as you can because you might never feel anything like this again.

Lost Paradise

The Lost Paradise is the name of a green area with fine weather in Marvdasht and Kamfirouz County.

The real name of the place was “Bostanak Canyon” which is now famous as the Lost Paradise. Bostanak Canyon or the Lost Paradise is a beautiful valley dragged in eastern-western sides and vertical tall rocks surround it on both sides.

This spectacular area with its beautiful dense trees and rivers full of water catches the eyes of any observer and makes the visitors admire and worship its Creator.

It is one of the protected areas in Fars Province. Dense trees in the Lost Paradise are so tangled and have created such an alluring roof over the visitors and tourists that seeing the sunrise from among the leaves of the trees becomes so difficult.

Qashqai Nomads

They chose to live free; they didn’t condemn themselves to houses made of brick and stone. Instead, they have the company of nature; they dance with the wind and drink from rivers. Their bed is meadow and thither ceiling is sky. They know how to tame nature, they are Qashqai Nomads. With more than one million populations, Qashqai is one of the largest tribes in Iran.

The modern lifestyle of the 21st century caused a considerable proportion of them to become citizens and villagers, but still, many of its people live as nomads. As you may know, Iran has a variety of ethnic groups. Qashqai Nomads are mainly Turkish, and they live in the southwest provinces of the country, especially Fars.

As their name indicates, they are always on the move during warm and cold seasons. In summer, when the weather gets hot, and it is difficult to live in their black tents, they depart to more moderate areas, which they call Yaylak or Yeilagh (a countryside that has cool weather).

On the other hand, when the climate gets cold, and it is hard for them to find forage for their livestock, they move to warmer parts of the country called Kishlak (Gheshlagh in Persian). The process of this temporary emigration is fascinating, reminding this popular notion that “nothing lasts forever”

Qashqai Nomads have their very own cultural items. From different food to dialects. Qashqai nomads are happy and lively people. They use every opportunity to celebrate. You should consider yourself very lucky if you have a chance to see a Qashqai wedding.

On this exceptional occasion, men and women wear traditional and colorful clothes that catch any eye. Then they make a large circle, grab a colorful handkerchief, and start a Qashqai dance, of course, with Qashqai local music.

Due to their long exposure to the sun, they usually have freckled skin, Women and girls do not use any cosmetics, and you can differentiate a girl from a married woman by her hairstyle.

Living in nature makes them fearless, energetic, and tough, but it doesn’t mean that they are not kind; actually, they have golden hearts.

Qashqai nomads will welcome you to join them for lunch and dinner. They greet you with their organic and homemade foods, nothing like you’ve tasted before.

Watching how they manage to adopt different methods to survive in the wild and how they live their daily life tasks surely is an unforgettable and fantastic experience for you. You can see our Nomads Tour and familiar with this amazing tour.

Pooladkaf Ski Resort

Pooladkaf is a SKI RESORT in the South of Iran, 90 km from Shiraz, and 15 Km from Sepidan city. The elevation of this ski resort is from 2810 to 3231 meters from sea level.

There is a gondola lift with a length of 2100 m and also surface lifts. Pooladkaf has a hotel, a restaurant with traditional foods and fast foods, and also one coffee shop at the top station of the gondola.

In Pooladkaf resort you can enjoy driving snowmobiles and ATVs, and also riding Segway, bikes, horses, and pedalo boats. All facilities of this ski resort are open to the public in non-ski seasons too.

The ski season in Pooladkaf usually starts from the first of December to late March and sometimes this period extends to April.

Due to considerable precipitation in this region (about 1000 mm in less than 6 months), in some years there are 3 meters of snow at the bottom of the resort. Finally, the interesting point about this resort is strong sunshine even in January

 

GET AROUND SHIRAZ

There is tourist information on the main boulevard a bit west of the palace. Near Karim khan palace or citadel. They speak English can give helpful tips and have English maps. But here we allocate for you a Shiraz city map and you can have it.

Shiraz Map

Taxi in Shiraz

However, it is always best to find a taxi through a reputable “telephone taxi” agency.

For a set fee, drivers of these agencies will take passengers to their destination, drive them around town, and also wait for them while they shop or run errands.

All hotels and local residents will have the phone number of one of these agencies. There are also taxis driven by women that specifically cater to women passengers.

For non-Iranian visitors, taxis are probably the most convenient mean of transport our team is ready to do the best for you and we arrange free transfers for you everywhere in Shiraz.

You only need to send a text at WhatsApp +98-9173145587 or Email: [email protected]

We will allocate a driver for you and you can visit everywhere that you like and enjoy Shiraz city and your tour in Shiraz

Metro in Shiraz

The Shiraz Metro is the current rapid transit system in Shiraz, currently operated by Shiraz Urban Railway Organization. Constructions began in 2001, and service in Line 1 officially commenced on October 11, 2014.

Click to see the Shiraz Metro Map

 

Train in Shiraz

Popular train destinations to/from Shiraz (Departure, Destinations, Stops, Duration, Train Types)

Many people choose to travel by train to and from Shiraz. Here you can see the most popular train destinations from Shiraz.

 

 

Shiraz to Tehran Trains

As the capital of Iran, many people travel between Tehran and Shiraz by train for different purposes. There are many places to visit in Tehran such as Golestan Palace.

Trains leave Shiraz toward Tehran every day 1t 16:20 and get to Tehran at 7:10 the next day. The train types which are available between Tehran and Shiraz are 4-bed compartments.

The duration of train travel from Shiraz to Tehran is about 15 hours. On the way to Tehran from Shiraz train stops at the stations you can see below. Ticket prices for trains from Shiraz to Tehran start at 13€.

 

Shiraz —Marvdasht —Eghlid—Abadeh—Shahr Reza—Badrud—Kashan—Muhammadieh—Tehran

 

Shiraz to Mashhad Trains

Mashhad is one of the biggest cities in Iran. Imam Reza Holy Shrine is located in Mashhad and many Shia Muslims visit Mashhad each year.

The duration of a train trip between Shiraz and Mashhad is about 24 hours. Trains leave Shiraz train station toward Mashhad at 14:45 every other day and plan to arrive in Mashhad at 14:40 the next day. There are 4-bed compartment trains available between Mashhad and Shiraz.

On the way to Mashhad from Shiraz, the train stops at the following stations. Ticket prices from Shiraz to Mashhad start at 15€.

 

Shiraz — Safashahr — Eghlid — Abadeh — Shahr Reza — Harand — Varzaneh — Tabas — Mashhad

 

Shiraz to Isfahan Trains

Isfahan is one of the most famous cities for tourists who are visiting Iran. The city used to be the capital of Iran during the Safavid time and you can see this era’s architecture in Naqsh-e-Jahan Square and Ali Qapu.

The duration of a train trip between Shiraz and Isfahan is about 8 hours. There are 4-bed compartment trains available between Isfahan and Shiraz.

On the way to Isfahan from Shiraz, the train stops at the following stations. Ticket prices from Shiraz to Isfahan start at 10€

 

Shiraz— Marvdasht — Sivand — Pasargadae — Abadeh — Izad Khast — Shahr Reza — Isfahan

 

Book a Train Ticket from/to Shiraz

If you plan to book a train ticket to Tehran or leave Tehran for your next destination, you can send an email to [email protected]  and we will do the rest for you.

 

Flights to Shiraz & Shiraz International Airport

Book cheap flight tickets to Shiraz, Fars province today. There is Shahid Dastgheib International Airport (Also known as Shiraz International Airport) that serves the Persian Ancient City, of Shiraz.

Shiraz International Airport is the main hub for flights to the southern part of Iran. Shiraz International Airport sits 20 km from Shiraz city center.

It provides plenty of amenities to keep you entertained while you wait for your domestic or international flight or transportation into Shiraz or other cities in Iran.

In addition, the airport boasts a variety of restaurants and cafes, providing sit-down cuisine and meals on the go. Furthermore, the airport also features various shops, where you can find Persian souvenirs, designer goods, electronics, and duty-free products.

 

Shiraz airport is just less than one hour away from Persepolis, Takht-e-Jamshid – one of the most magnificent UNESCO world heritages in Iran.

It was the ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid Empire in Shiraz. Persepolis is situated 60 km northeast of the city of Shiraz in Fars Province, Iran. The earliest remains of Persepolis date back to 515 BC.

 

Furthermore, Shiraz International Airport massage services provide massage seats to help keep you relaxed and fresh during your travels.

Find out additional information about your flight arrival and departure to Shiraz on the Shiraz International Airport website. Airport transfer is available by taxi, shuttle, and private cars to Shiraz city center or hotels in Shiraz.

 

Flights to Shiraz, Domestic or International Airport

Do You Need Cheap Flight Tickets to Shiraz?

Check Sinar Gasht Travel Agency to find the best hotels in Shiraz, cheap flight tickets to Shiraz, vacation package deals, and more! Savings will vary based on origin/destination, length of trip, stay dates, and selected travel supplier(s) in Shiraz. Savings are not available on rental cars in Iran.

 

WHAT TO DO IN SHIRAZ

 

NOMAD TOUR

The nomad lifestyle is one of the most intact and pure lifestyles which has been remaining from Old Persia, still, there are some groups of nomads who live around the country.

In Fars Province, Qashqai Nomads are the main group of nomads in Fars Province which contains several groups.

They live in the northern region of this province (such as in Eqlid) during hot times of the year and they migrate to the southern part of the province (such as Firouzabad) as soon as the weather gets cold.

 

Nomads in Iran are a group of people who travel and move from one place to another along with their tribe, family, and all their belongings.

Nomadism is the tribal lifestyle and their economy is based on herding. Shifting from one place to another and moving as a large group is the most important aspect of Nomadic life.

Nomads move to Yeylagh (cooler countryside) in summer and back to Gheshlagh(warmer areas) in winter throughout their yearly and shift with reasons Iran’s Nomadic tour is an opportunity to visit this great attraction that is still present in the 21st century.

 

Nomad Tour

Tours of Iran’s Nomads is an exciting touring program that allows you to learn about the culture of Nomads and experience their life along with one of the main tribes called Iran.

Through this tour, you get to live their life, taste their woodstove-cooked local food, see their style of animal herding, and understand their customs.

Sinargasht Travel Agency nomad tours invite you to hang around with these generous and hospitable people. They change the place of their living almost every 6 months.

They are used to moderate weather and rich natural resources. This cohabitation with nature is the reason for their generosity and simplicity.

Their tent-like houses are open to guests like their hearts. Iran nomads are so hospitable and offer you their delicious cuisine and natural products.

Free people, well-adapted to natural rules, are perfect storytellers. Stories about their bravery, conquering nature, and challenges to deal with.

For city folks who are used to the hustle and bustle of cities, sleeping in a tent, and going to sleep while gazing at the starry and clear sky would be a rare experience.

There is a time when you are tired of everything and you want calmness and new experiences. See different lives and customs in Iran, one or two days of life with nomads can keep you well for a long time…

 

This trip can become one of the most memorable trips for you.

 

Persepolis and Necropolis (Naghshe Rostam ) Tour

The ancient world was the realm of great empires. Over 2500 years ago the Achaemenid Empire, also known as the first Persian empire ruled over a vast region spanning from Eastern Asia to Eastern Europe.

Mighty Achaemenid kings, Cyrus and Darius the Great extended the borders of the empire and built glorious capital cities. Pasargadae was the seat of Cyrus the Great where he ruled for many years and was ultimately buried.

Persepolis was the capital of Persians under Darius the Great. Before being destroyed by Alexander’s vengeful army, Persepolis was the most opulent city in the world. The remains that still stand proud near the city of Shiraz attest to the city’s former glory.

The brief introduction above is enough to know why Persepolis tours are the most popular historic sights tours in Iran.

 

Persepolis Tour in Iran.

 

Most Persepolis tours are conducted from Shiraz due to the city’s proximity to the historic site. It is only an hour’s drive from Shiraz to Persepolis except for the rush hours in which the journey could take longer.

Persepolis’ opening hours are from 8:00 am to 17:30 pm. To make the most of our time in the splendors of Persepolis, our tours start early in the morning.

Our tour guide will pick you up early in the morning from your preferred address in Shiraz and you will head towards the site of the ancient city.

Because of the vast area of the site, visiting Persepolis will take until lunchtime. After lunch, we will take you to Naqsh-e Rostam or as it is better known in the West, Necropolis. Here lie four Achaemenid kings: Darius the Great, Xerxes I, Artaxerxes I, and Darius II. Their tomb lies at a mighty height carved in the heart of a gigantic rock.

The site also boasts many stunning ancient rock reliefs depicting various kings of the Achaemenid and later Elam and Sassanid dynasties. Visiting the sublime Necropolis will be the end of our one-day tour of Persepolis.

 

Shiraz Day Tour

Shiraz is known as the city of flowers, Birds, and poetry. Some of the greatest names in the history of Persian literature were from Shiraz.

Citing just two words, Hafez and Saadi, is enough to guarantee the significance of the city to world literature. The marvelous tombs of these poets are two of many historic attractions visited in the course of our Shiraz day tours.

In our Shiraz Day tour, we will also take you to other highlights of the city including Karim Khan Castle, Vakil Bazaar, Nasir al Mulk Mosque (Pink Mosque ), Zinat al Mulk House, and Shah Cheragh Shrine, and other places.

 

Our free walking tour is designed especially for individual travelers, small groups of friends, budget tours, and persons who are interested in this tour.

It is not important whether our group is small or not, we just want our guests to enjoy the tour and never forget this tour.

The best way to see Iran’s cities is by a walking tour. Whether self-guided or taken by a local guide, these free tours will help you gain a deeper understanding of Iranian life, cultures, and customs.

In the Free Walking Tour, you will walk with us and check out all the cities that must see. You see places and learn everything about the city that you are interested in and we do the best for you.

When you choose the city, from History, Culture, Civilization, Architecture, and Events we give you all the information. Choose your free walking tour and experience Shiraz like a real local