Historic City of Yazd
Yazd is a desert city dating back to the Sassanian period and is known “the City of Windcatchers” in Persian hence was listed by UNESCO. In the past when the Muslim Arabs conquered Iran, Zoroastrains had fled toward Yazd and Kerman, now Yazd is the last center of Zoroastrianism in Iran.
Due to the blend of religions such as Zoroastrianism, Persian Jewish community and Muslims it is dubbed the ‘City of the Holy’. Today Muslims make up the majority of the population however followers of Zoroastriansim celebrate the ancient feast of Nowrooz and have ceremonies in Fire Temple and Tower Silence.
Sightseeings of Yazd
Towers of silence
Once someone died their body exposed on top of flat-topped towers called dakhmas in the desert to be purified. According to Zoroastrian tradition dating back 3000 years, dead bodies were arranged on the towers in three concentric circle it means men in outer circle, women in the middle and children in the inner ring. The bodies left until bones were stripped by birds and bleached by the elements. But in Pahlavi dynasty this funeral was banned.
Jameh Mosque of Yazd
Mosque was founded on the area of a Sassanid temple by the the command of A’la Al – Dowleh Kalanjar about 800 years ago. After 200 years, the main struction was built by he order of Seyyed Rokhn Al Din Mohammad Qazi.
One of the terrific features of the mansion is the square shape of the mosque that makes it look like Kaaba, a prominent symbol in Islamic Architecture, and the light for the inner space is provided by the light reflected by the white plaster works on the dome and walls.
Dolat-Abad Garden
One of the 9 Iranian gardens listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites is Dolat Abad Garden. Many techniques and art have distinguished this garden such as Qanat and wind catcher. In the past, Dolat Abad was irrigated by Qanat, an ancient method of providing water and the mansion with an octagonal plan has embraced an outstanding wind catcher. This tallest old wind catcher in the world is a Persian architectural element that make natural ventilation in the building.
The Yazd governor, Mohammad Taghi Khan Bafghi at the end of the Afsharid era, founded a garden as a residence for Karim Khan Zand and Shahrokh Mirza and was called Dolat Abad Garden.
Zoroastrian Fire Temple
Zorostriansim dates back prior to Islam and in this religious fire plays in their practices and symbolizes the light of God, Ahura Mazda, because they believe fire purify and show the truth. The Fire Temple is a site of worship for devout followers and the Behram Fire has burned continuously over 1500 years.
Water Museum
Yazd is famous for its qanats (underground aqueducts). The museum building used to be a merchant’s house that was built in 1929. Two qanats are running beneath the museum at different levels. There are a great collection of a variety of water objects from qanat to water ownership documents. By visiting the museum you can understand clear vivid why Iranian respected water so much.
Qanats run through many of the wealthy old houses in Yazd, collecting in pools in basements known as sardob. As the coolest part of the house, these rooms were often beautifully decorated and several fine examples exist in Yazd’s old traditional hotels today. The qanats (there are many running through each town) are the reason why the wealthiest districts are always closest to the mountains – to be closest to the freshest water.
Kharanagh
It is where the sun rises and due to its location it has more pleasant weather than Yazd. The old houses were located in one or two floors close together on a fast steep and has an especial crowded view. Rosekabood suggests to visit Kharanagh Castle, Kharanagh Menar Jonban, and Kharanagh caravanserai.
Museum of Zoroastrians History and Culture
The Museum has exhibitions that explain Zoroastrian ceremonies, clothing, food and art.
Amir Chakhmaq Complex
Amir Chakhmaq Square is one of the most architectural masterpieces and beautiful tile-work of century 9 AH. It belongs to Timurid period, and was called the same in Safavid era. Some of these monuments were revived in Shah Abbas’s reign. This complex consists of bazaar, Tekyeh , mosque, and two water reservoirs. It has been the location for people′s gatherings such as marching, martyrs, demonstrations and scholars′ funeral before and after the Islamic Revolution of Iran.
Souvenirs of Yazd
Yazd is famous for its historical riginality and cultural richness hence the souvenirs of this city are derived from its very ancient routes.
Sweets
Their most famous sweets of Yazd is Qottab, Baklava, special Yazdi cake. Haji Badom, Yazd Noghl.
Ardakan sesame pudding
The history of Halvah Ardeh (sesame pudding) preparation is came back to Sheikh Baha’i, and it is mentioned that Shah Abbas wanted a suitable diet for his soldiers with the following conditions: first, it should be energetic; second, it should be easy to transport; and third, it should be suitable for war conditions; and there is no need to heat it for eating. Following this, Sheikh Baha’i created Halva and one of the delicious examples is Ardakan Halvah Ardeh which is made of sugar, sesame, Ardeh, and nuts.
Yazd handicrafts
Termeh
Fantastic Termeh fabrics is made with silk, wool, and colored fluff with different colors and designs such as Boteh Jaqeh, Shakh Gavazni (deer horn), Shah Abbasi, etc. Termeh history came back about 400 years old when the Zoroastrians used it to sew trousers for their celebrations.
Pottery and ceramics
Mehbod is one of the major producers of ceramic in Yazd province and the most commonly patterns of pottery are chicken, fish, moon and sun.
Zilou
The practical souvenir of Yazd, Zilou, dates back to pre-Islamic times and the center of ZilouBafi (Zilou weaving) is Meybod town and it is used widely during the hot summer days in desert areas that conveys a sense of coolness.
Sher bafi
Sher bafi is another traditional Yazd art that has been booming for many years ago. Yazd women used to some wooden machines to produce this woolen fabric but this beautiful art has been forgotten over time.
Shamad
It is a thin, cloth-shaped fabric that is made of artificial silk or cotton yarn and is used as a blanket in the summer.
