Shiraz Tour | Shiraz Travel Guide | Shiraz Travel Tips
Written by Iran Travel Agency
Shiraz is the fifth most populated city
in Iran and the
capital of Fars Province. Shiraz is located in the southwest of Iran on the Rudkhaneye
Khoshk seasonal river. Shiraz has a moderate climate and has been a regional
trade center for more than a thousand years.
The earliest reference to the
city, as Tiraziš, is on Elamite clay tablets dated to 2000 BC.[4]
In the 13th century, Shiraz became a leading center of the arts and letters,
thanks to the encouragement of its ruler and the presence of many Persian
scholars and artists. Shiraz was the capital of the Persia
during the Zand dynasty from 1750 until 1781, as well as briefly
during the Saffarid
period.
Shiraz is the fifth most populated city
in Iran and the
capital of Fars Province. Shiraz is located in the southwest of Iran on the Rudkhaneye
Khoshk seasonal river. Shiraz has a moderate climate and has been a regional
trade center for more than a thousand years.
The earliest reference to the
city, as Tiraziš, is on Elamite clay tablets dated to 2000 BC.[4]
In the 13th century, Shiraz became a leading center of the arts and letters,
thanks to the encouragement of its ruler and the presence of many Persian
scholars and artists. Shiraz was the capital of the Persia
during the Zand dynasty from 1750 until 1781, as well as briefly
during the Saffarid
period.
Shiraz is known as the city of
poets, wine and flowers. It is also considered by many Iranians to be the city
of gardens, due to the many gardens and fruit trees that can be seen in the
city. Shiraz has had major Jewish and Christian communities. The crafts of
Shiraz consist of inlaid mosaic work of triangular design; silver-ware; pile
carpet-weaving and weaving of kilim, called gilim and jajim in the villages and
among the tribes. In Shiraz industries such as cement production, sugar,
fertilizers, textile products, wood products, metalwork and rugs dominate.
Shirāz also has a major oil refinery and is also a major center for Iran's
electronic industries: 53% of Iran's electronic investment has been centered in
Shiraz.
Attractions of Shiraz
Hafez Tomb - Recommended. Mausoleum of Hafez- Hafez
(1324-1391), the greatest master of Persian lyric poetry and the
literary giant of the 14th century, was born in Shiraz, lived all his
life here, sang its praises in unsurpassed verse and was buried in a
garden known after him as the Hafezieh, in the northeast part of the
city. The extraordinary popularity and the wide appeal of this great
poet among all Persian-speaking people make his tomb a cherished
placed, visited by all. This mausoleum too was rebuilt in the early
50’s. A flight of stone steps reaches to the tomb under a tiled cupola
resembling a dervish’s hat. The tombstone is beautifully inscribed with
two of Hafez’s poems or Ghazals. Visitors to the tomb can still, as
they have done for centuriesm take the omens, or faals, by picking a
page at random from a volume of Hafez, kept for this purpose.
Saadi Tomb - Recommended. Mausoleum of Saadi: Here
lie the earthly remains of one of Iran’s greatest poets-Sa’di. Even
from the very early days after the poet’s death, the mausoleum of Sa’di
became a place of pilgrimage to lovers of poetry and literature. In
1808 AD Karim Khan Zand renovated the mausoleum. The tomb was rebuilt
in the early 50’s. The porch with its tall columns of pinkish marble is
a traditional feature of Iranian architecture.
Arg of Karim Khan - formerly a prison, but now an architectural wonder on exhibit.
Afif abad Garden (Bagh-e-afifabad) - a garden and houses owned by the Ghavami family. Highly recommended.
Vakil Bazaar - hundreds of vendors housed in an ancient bazaar. Highly recommended.
Saray-e-Moshir - a caravansary at the south entrance
of Bazaar Vakil, which now functions as exhibition space for Iranian
handicrafts. highly recommended.
Mesgarha Bazaar
Moshir-e-Now Bazaar
Shah Cheragh - Highly recommended. Seyed Amir Ahmad,
known as Shah-e Cheragh, the brother of Imam Reza, came to Shiraz in
the latter half of the 8th century. He passed away in the city and his
tomb is now a respected place of pilgrimage. The structure, tile work
and the dome of the mausoleum have been rebuilt several times over the
centuries. The tomb, the beautiful silver doors and the exquisite
mirror work are the handicrafts of masters and contemporary artists of
Shiraz.
Khwaju Kermani Tomb
Abesh Khatoon Tomb
Seyed Taj-e-din Gharib Tomb
Sheykh Roozbahan Tomb
Khan school
Ghal'eye Karim Khan
Christians Church
Qor'an Gate (Dar vazeh Quran) - the city's main
entrance. The original gate was built as an ornamental decoration by
the Buwwayhids (Buwayhid dynasty) about 1000 years ago, but this was
replaced 60 years ago by new gate, which is considered one of the
finest architectural designs in Iran and has won numerous awards. From
the the gate walk up the stone stairways to enjoy picturesque and
panoramic views of Shiraz. The tomb of Khajooyeh Kermanee, a famous
poet is also located here. Hidden in the alleys on the hill-side are
numerous restaurants that serve the finest chelo kabob. It is an
excellent place for picnics and taking photographs.
Takht-e-Jamshid (Persepolis) - The center of the great
Persian Empire, ceremonial capital of the Achaemenians and the
showpiece of Achaemenian art, Persepolis (Capital of Persia in Greek)
is a historic site in Fars Province, 60 km to the northeast of Shiraz.
Iranians call it Takht-e Jamshid (The throne of Jamshid), Jamshid being
the first, probably mythical, ruler of Iran. This magnificent court was
the summer residence of the Achaemenian emperors and their official
reception quarters. It must be by some strange accident of history that
Persepolis was never mentioned in foreign records, for it was here that
representatives of all the varied peoples of the empire gathered to pay
homage, and bring tribute, to the King of Kings, probably each spring,
at the time of the ancient Now Ruz festival. Although set on fire and
destroyed by Alexander in a gesture symbolizing the destruction of
Persian imperial power, its still impressive ruins permit a fairly
complete reconstruction of its original appearance.
Palace of Apadana
Bishapur
Firouzabad
Ghal'eh Dokhtar
Palace of Ardashir – The Palace ruins of Sassanid king Ardashir
