Shiraz,the city of love and literature

Shiraz can be called the most important touristy city in Iran. The city with its unique historical and natural monuments and pleasant climate, even in the cold seasons of the year, hosts interested tourists. Shiraz is the city of orange blossoms and poems. In addition to be the city of gardens and literature, Persepolis, the largest and most famous monument in the world is located near this city. The city with all its urban and historical features, alone can be considered one of the most valuable tourist areas in Iran. Shiraz is one of the popular tourist destinations for domestic and foreign tourists. In May, this city becomes an earthly paradise with its orange blossoms. In addition to all the attractions of Shiraz, its people are also among the factors that make tourists interested in traveling to this city again and again due to their hospitality and kindness.  You will be familiar with some important attractions of Shiraz as below:

 

Vakil Mosque of Shiraz

Vakil Mosque is located in western side of Vakil Bazar and is one the most beautiful mosques in Iran constructed under the order of Karim Khan Zand.  This mosque has two east and south porches. The architects of Vakil Mosque have connected the corridors to the courtyard of the mosque in such a way that the qibla of the mosque corresponds to the religious qibla and on the other hand the facade of the mosque is in harmony with the side doors of the bazaar. This level of precision in architecture in the period that Iran was at the peak of prosperity in the field of architecture is admirable.

One of the most spectacular parts of Vakil mosque is the southern Shabestan. This place has 48 strong stone columns with special designs and patterns of Zandieh period. These columns are spiral and a symbol of Iranian art. In different parts of the mosque you can see the eye catching tile works. It has a 14-step pulpit. The stairs of this pulpit are made of marble stone by the rule of Karim Khan Zand in order to beautify this pulpit as much as possible.

 

Vakil Bath of Shiraz

Vakil Bath is another part of Vakil Complex which was constructed in Zandiey Dynasty. Everywhere you look in this traditional bathroom, you see a painting that reflects the magnificent architecture of that time. In the past time, Iranians went to these traditional baths for bathing, gathering, massage. Even some women proposed the girls for their sons in these baths.

When you enter this building, you will see a corridor and of course a porch that has a gentle slope. From this corridor you can enter the bathroom locker room. Due to this slope, air temperature is well exchanged between indoor and outdoor space. But this slope does not allow the cold weather of the outdoor environment to enter the bathroom easily and the heat of the indoor environment to come out of it and the energy will be saved. Vakil Bath had one of the most advanced and best architectural principles of the era and had different sections such as Shahneshin. The royal residences were used only for the king, and no one else was allowed to bathe in these places. There are other areas such as the public bathhouse, the treasury and the two ruling areas in this place. If you look at the middle part of each ruler, you will see a pool made of marble.

 

 

Vakil Bazar of Shiraz

Vakil Bazaar was built by order of Karim Khan Zand and is one of the oldest and most famous traditional Iranian bazaars. This bazaar is located in the center of Shiraz city and has a very beautiful architecture. It can be said that nowadays all parts of this market have remained safe. Sales and trade are still going on in the veins of Vakil market and it can be called the beating heart of Shiraz trade. Like other old markets, each segment of the bazar has different names depending on the industry and the goods in which it is sold. Vakil Bazaar is made of plaster, brick and lime, which are placed on foundations of shaved stone boards.

 

 

Nasir al Mulk Mosque

Pink Mosque is a special and unique building with beautiful tiles. Both the patterns on the tiles and the shapes and volumes that the tiles make together are spectacular. If you travel to Shiraz, spend one morning to visit Nasir al-Molk Mosque. At about 9 o’clock in the morning, when the sun shines brightly and warmly everywhere, the Nasir al-Molk Mosque is an exception, and the light, combined with stained glass and special tiles, creates a beautiful and memorable combination.

In Gowd Araban neighborhood, when you enter Nasir Al-Molk Alley, you will first reach the wooden door of the mosque with its beautiful tiled entrance. The tiling of the entrance with patterns of red flowers and lilies has the sign and symbol of Shiraz. Nasir Al-Molk tiles are amazing, beautiful and have special designs with different colors and proportions. All colors have been used in the construction of these tiles, but pink and blue colors have been used more and they look different and are very eye-catching. Don’t forget to take your camera with yourself to capture marvelous pictures.

 

 

Arg of Karimkhan

Karim Khan Citadel or Arg of Karim Khan is one of the relics of Zandieh era in the center of Shiraz. After declaring Shiraz his capital, Karim Khan Zand chose this citadel for living, and this citadel became known as Karim Khani Citadel. The citadel was built in 1766 and 1767, and the king used the best architects as well as the best materials to build it. During the Qajar period, the citadel was used as the residence of local governors.

Karim Khan citadel has an area of 4,000 square meters and has very high walls that reach 12 meters. The facade of this building was made of bricks. The eastern side is far more popular than the other sides. The entrance of the citadel is located on the east side, which is decorated with a very large painting of one of the famous scenes from Shahname, the Persian literature masterpiece. This painting, which is tiled, was added to the citadel during the Qarjar period. Another attraction on the east side is the king’s private bath, which has been tried to remain intact.

 

 

Shiraz Eram Garden

Shiraz Eram Garden is one of the old and very beautiful gardens in Shiraz and every year many tourists go to Shiraz to visit its historical beauties and green environment. It is not clear exactly when and by whom this garden was built. However, according to historical documents, this garden existed during the Seljuk era. Karim Khan Zand also ordered the renovation of Eram Garden during his rule.

Eram Garden with beautiful flowers and trees changes every viewer’s mood and gives them a new sense of life. The area of this garden is 3 hectares and it has a great variety of trees. Eram Garden of Shiraz is located on the banks of the Kooshak River and owes this greenness and beauty to the clear waters of this river.

 

 

Very interesting paintings and beautiful mirrors have been used in Eram Garden Hall. Iron windows are used on the first floor of the building, which are very interesting examples from the Qajar period. Also, In the porch of this building, the tiles are used are very interesting and its example is not seen in other Qajar buildings. The mansion built in the middle of this garden is known as the central core of the garden and has many uses. This mansion has 3 floors and has many beautiful decorations. In downstairs there are rooms that are very cool and were used for hot summer days and were decorated with marvelous colored tiles. Of course, it goes without saying that the upper floors also use columns that are inspired by the columns of Persepolis. (link)

 

 Tomb of Hafez

When we Iranians talk about the poem and the poets, the city of Shiraz and Hafez come to our mind. The capital of Persian poetry and literature, plays with the hearts and souls of art lovers. Every year, Hafez Tomb hosts many tourists who want to get acquainted with the house and birthplace of this poet. Hafez is among the best poets of the world who have been dormant in Shiraz for many years, but their poems have remained in our hearts forever.

Tomb of Hafez or Hafezieh is one of the main attractions of Shiraz which is really suggested to be visited specially at nights. Your soul will be refresh by listening to his poems in this spiritual place. When you look at the exterior of the roof of Hafez tomb, you see the turquoise blue that symbolizes paradise, the purple-red color that represents the eternal wine, white and black that symbolize day and night, and of course the burnt coffee that symbolizes soil and human. It sinks between the meanings and the connection between poetry and the world.

 

 

Shiraz is home to many poets whose poems have fascinated not only Iranians but the whole world. During your trip to Shiraz, go to this beautiful tomb and see this place up close. You can be sure that you will be so fascinated by this place that every time you go to Shiraz, this place will be your main place for joy and sightseeing.

 

Quran Gate

On the way from Marvdasht to Shiraz, on Imam Khomeini Highway, on the right side of the entrance to Shiraz, you will see the Quran Gate. During the rule of the Buyid dynasty over Iran and Iraq, one of the famous kings, ordered the construction of the first brick gate of Quran. By his order, in the upper part of the gate, a space was set up to store the Qur’an so that, with the blessing of the Qur’an, travelers could spend their journey safely when they cross this gate. Over time, the building was destroyed until, during the reign of Karim Khan Zand, a new form of Quran gate was rebuilt and two Qurans were kept in the rooms above the gate. The ancient Shirazi people had a strange belief in these Qurans so that at the beginning of each lunar month they came under these Qurans to protect themselves from disasters. Some say that Nader Shah took these Qurans with him to war to avoid harm and defeat.

 

These sites are the most popular sites which tourists choose during their travel to Shiraz. You can look at some of our designed tours to be more familiar with its professional itinerary.