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Iran's Cities > Yazd |
Yazd Province
Capital: Yazd
Area: 72,342 Km2
Population: approx. 830,000
Yazd
Wedged between the northern Dasht-e Kaivir desert, and
the southern Dasht-e Lut, Yazd boasts the best old-and
inhabited-city in Iran. At an altitude of 1230m,Yazd can
be quite cold in winter, but very hot in summer.
Yazd was an important center for pre-Islamic
Zoroastrianism, and there is still a substantial
minority of Zoroastrians today. The city has always been
a great weaving center, known for its silks and other
fabrics even before Marco Polo passed through along one
of the Silk Roads in the late 13th century.
Old city
According to UNESCO, Yazd is one of the oldest towns in
the world - every visitor should spend a few hours
getting completely lost in this living museum. Look out
for the tall wind-towers (Badgirs) on rooftops, designed
to catch even the lightest breeze and direct them to
underground living rooms. In the hot summers they are
very necessary, and more healthy than modern
air-conditioning.
The building styles are simple, traditional and quite
exotic compared with the uniformity of most of the other
large towns of Iran. The town is the color of clay, from
the sun-dried bricks. The residential quarters appear
almost deserted (but they aren't) because of the high
walls, protecting the houses from the very narrow and
liberty hine Kuchehs (alleys) crisscrossing the town.
 Highlights:
-Towers of silence
-Atashkadeh (Fire Temple)
-Amir chekhmag complex
-Doulat Abad Garden
-Jame mosque ...
Ateshkade (Fire Temple)
This small Zoroastrian temple attracts followers from
around the world. The sacred flame behind a glass case
visible from the small museum inside has apparently been
burning since about 470 AD, and was transferred from its
original site in 1940.
Amir Chakhmagh (Governor of Yazd)
This well preserved 14th century mosque was built on the
site of a 12th century building. Also designed by the
wife of Amir chakmagh, this small set of buildings
contains a small, decaying bazaar and the crumbling
Masjed-e Tekieh (Tekieh mosque).
Doulat Abad Garden
This mildly interesting residence of the former ruler,
Karim Khnn Zand, was built in about 1 750. It is
renowned for having the highest Badgir in the old city,
standing more than 33m high. The stained glass windows
are also a delight.
Jame Mosque
This mosque dominates the old city, with its remarkably
high, tiled entrance portal, flanked with an magnificent
minarets and adorned with an inscription from the 15th
century. The beautiful mosaics on the dome and on the
Mehrab are also superb. The interior of the mosque is
cleverly ventilated and well lit. |
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