Yazd Distinctive Attractions
Traveling to a city that was the first clay metropolis in the world is arguably one of the best experiences in life. Travelers can enjoy observing Iranian architecture in the structures and homes erected in Yazd. This ancient city is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Yazd has earned the nicknames City of Sweets and The City of Windcatcher. Yazd has the most wind catchers, which help to reduce the oppressive heat. Yazdi cake, Yazdi Baklava, and other well-known souvenirs are among those produced in this city. Local inhabitants have fascinating traditions. For the New Year, they prepare Ash Reshteh, and as they cook, the family members make wishes and stir the Ash Reshteh simultaneously. Typically, Yazd residents think that there is a chance that a wish could come true in this manner.
Ashti Konan alley (Reconciliations Alley) is in Yazd. Ashti Konan alleys are narrow passages in which people pass each other from a very close distance. When two people who have argued or fought already maybe meet each other in these alleys. There is a high chance for them to patch up their differences and become friends again. One of the Iranian cities with a long history and a variety of sites is Yazd. It is one of the top tourist destinations for those who enjoy history. The following is an introduction to top Yazd attractions.
The Old Town of Yazd
The experience of sightseeing in Yazd, a historical city with impressive construction might be one of life’s greatest pleasures. Yazd stunning ancient features nested alleys lined with brick homes that take you back to a historical period as you stroll through them. Using mud bricks for buildings, using domes and arcs, covering walls with adobe as plaster, and using Badgir or windcatcher are the main elements of the old town’s architecture which is UNESCO heritage and makes it a unique, pleasant city. The history and character of Yazd city captivate so many visitors. As travelers stroll through the nested alleys, they will experience it even if they become lost on how to pass through them.
Jameh mosque of Yazd
This mosque is over the fire temple. This mosque has six entrances, and Dome, Mihrab, Iwan, and Minarets are among its structural features. This mosque’s dome component is from two shells, with apertures that resemble mesh in the inner shell. The word “God” is written in the Kufic Script beneath its portico. This mosque has some unusual embellishments, such as tilework, plasterwork, brickwork, patterns, etc. This mosque has indirect lighting. The white plaster of the dome reflects light, giving the object its brilliance. This mosque dates back to the Timurid era.
Amir Chakhmaq Complex
Amir Chakhmaq Complex is a Timurid-era construction. One of Yazd’s most significant squares is this one. Yazd holds festivals at this square to mark a variety of events. The Amir Chakhmaq Complex includes a bazaar, a mosque, and a water reservoir. Within the Amir Chakhmaq complex is a brick building with a tall minaret. This area is Yazd’s city symbol.
Dowlat Abad Garden
This garden, which boasts the tallest clay wind catcher in the world, is one of the most beautiful gardens in Iran. This wind catcher is approximately 33 meters and 80 centimeters tall. The vestibule building, where the movement of wind and water merged, is one of the most significant features of this garden. Visitors’ attention has been drawn to the garden’s decorations because they use patterns that are juxtaposed with one another.
Zoroastrian Fire Temple
This fire temple was a Zoroastrian temple, and its fire is about 1500 years old. A water pond is in front of this fire temple to comply with the Zoroastrian belief that the fire temple must be close to the water. This belief is one of the characteristics of Zoroastrians. It is close to the beginning of the fire temple’s entrance. Fire is maintained in a brass firebox and positioned higher since it should not be on the ground due to its purity. The location of the fire should be far from the wind, rain, and sun. When one wishes to reach the fire temple in Yazd, there are manners to follow: First, it’s better to keep one’s appearance clean. Next, it’s necessary to dress with men wearing white clothes and hats and women wearing white clothes and scarves. The third requirement is that shoes should not be worn inside as a symbol of respect.
Towers of Silence
Interesting regulations have adhered to the Tower of Silence. For the corpse of women, men, and children, several places take into account. Ancient civilizations had these structures called crypts made of clay. They have used the tombs for various purposes, including holding religious rituals and funeral services for individuals. According to their beliefs, Zoroastrians once interred their deceased in these tombs. Bones of the dead were eventually buried inside the well and did not contaminate the earth. The graves were circular, frequently constructed in high areas, such as on top of tall mountains, and were far from the location of death in that region.
Lariha House Museum
This well-known mansion in Yazd has six separate houses, and three courtyards, and is designed such that no one outside can see inside. Based on the angle of sunlight hitting various parts of the house, the house’s architecture makes its four sides suitable for each of the four seasons. The residents could utilize the northern place during the winter and the section of halls and wind catcher during the summer.
Sabat of Yazd
The word “Sabat” means to have a roof. In places with superhot climates, pedestrian crossings and lanes are built with roofs. As long as people desire to pass through it, these roofs provide them with cooler air. Sabats also serve another purpose because Yazd is a cold city during the winter, especially when you consider that areas with less vegetation even have colder weather than other areas.
These Sabats protect Yazd city residents from the harsh winds during the winter. The architecture of the houses in Sabats is another aspect of Sabats. Interestingly, some homes have the same entrances in Yazd city. They were in the master style, and this attribute increased the level of intimacy between the neighbors.
Shesh Badgir Ab Anbar
Shesh Badgir Ab Anbar (Six-wind towered cistern) has its distinctive architecture. These wind catchers have an octagon shape. For Muslims and Zoroastrians, respectively, two taps in this reservoir have been specifically designed. About 55 steps lead up to the six-wind. Each wind catcher has an approximate height of 10 meters.
Saheb Al-Zaman Zurkhaneh (Athlete House)
One of Iran’s most well-known Zurkhanehs is Saheb Al-Zaman Zurkhaneh in Yazd. Combining the words Zur and Khanh, which have the meaning of a residence for powerful men, creates the word Zurkhaneh. An old reservoir was converted into a Zurkhaneh to create Saheb Al-Zaman Zurkhaneh. This Zurkhaneh was the result of the efforts of Ali Derhami.
Fahraj Village
The architecture of the Fahraj village has two distinct styles of homes. Some of the home’s architecture is designed in the modern style, while others are in the traditional appearance of the village. The majority of the homes in Fahraj village are composed of clay, mud, brick, and Sabats in Fahraj village. Fahraj Mosque is one of the most well-known and well-liked tourist attractions. Clay and mud are materials to create Jame Fahraj Mosque. This mosque has three independent entrances, two of which are in the eastern portion of the mosque, and one of the entrances is in the southwest part. The mosque is devoid of a dome, tiles, or inscriptions. One of this mosque’s distinguishing features is, despite the passage of many years, there hasn’t been any alteration that has rendered the mosque’s original appearance or shapes unrecognizable.
Clay bricks construct a cylindrical minaret, and spiral stairways are placed up for it. The architecture of the Jameh Mosque of Fahraj dates back to the Sassanid era. One more feature of this mosque is its arches are cradle-shaped. Another attraction of Fahraj village is its ancient castle, which towers have two floors, and holes can be seen on the top of the walls for observation and guarding of the castle. Fahraj Castle is a quadrilateral, with four long and round towers placed in its four corners. Tourists can visit the Chehel Dokhtaran in Fahraj village, which belongs to girls and women who believed in freedom. By ending their own lives, they do not suffer oppression. In the past, girls were considered as the booty after conquering a city or a country. The inhabitants of Fahraj village produce products like wheat, pistachios, grapes, and peaches. Fahraj village is in proximity to the desert and offers visitors the chance to observe the sky without any light pollution while walking in the desert sands.
Kharang Village
This village almost has 4500 years old. This eye-catching village has many attractions like a castle, mosque, etc. The Kharang castle in Kharang Village is about one hectare in size. A mud-and-clay mosque is in the center of the Kharang Village. Two antique water mills are in Kharang Village. One of them is within the castle, while the other is outside. Kharang Village has a desert-style reservoir that receives seasonal rains as water.
Chak Chak Temple
The Zoroastrian religion’s adherents own the Chak Chashrine. Every roof on the stepped structure of the Chak Chak Shrine is a terrace on a lower floor. Numerous rooms, referred to as Khile, have been constructed so that Zoroastrians may spend the night there. Some residents know Chak Chak as Chak Chako because water drips from the shrine’s roof and walls. During their pilgrimage, they sing joyful songs and pray, and in their prayers, they mention the names of those who fought against their enemies. They come together and share a close fellowship. In the Chak Chak shrine, there is a fire temple. The cave-like Chak Chak fire temple has a golden metal entrance. Inside this fire temple, there is a holy fire. One of its features is that a small amount of water occasionally falls on the marble ground and dampens it. Zoroastrians who visit this fire temple to worship use the receptacles to collect water from the ground. They bring this water inside their homes as it blesses their well-being. There is a deep well with a rope hanging from it in one of the fire temples. To make the wishes of Zoroastrians come true, they believe in tying a knot in this rope.
Caracal Desert
Yazd province has several deserts in the heart of Iran. Caracal Desert is somewhere near the city of Bafgh in the province of Yazd, the Caracal Desert is situated. Bafgh is a city about 100 KM south of Yazd. Caracal (Sadeghabad Desert) is near a village of the same name. At the same time, this desert shows an image of palm trees and desert hills. Caracal, like a painting, is formed from a combination of colors that dazzle the eyes of every viewer. This desert is the most beautiful one in Yazd province. Like all the central deserts of Iran, it has a great miracle in its heart. Watching the night sky and what is in it is one of the indescribable wonders of the desert.