Shiraz

Shiraz

Shiraz is poetic, the most romantic city maybe. Shiraz’s popularity among Iranians is exemplary. But finding the cause is not possible by standing at a distance and watching or reading about it. Which city has this charm to keep its people this much euphoric and happy? The answer lays within Shiraz.

The city, which was not originally inhabited at first, was a center for keeping important official and administrative documents of the Achaemenes and Sassanid. Along with magnificent cities such as Persepolis and Istakhr, Shiraz was not given much attention, but over time it became so attractive that if anyone hears the name of Iran, they will immediately look at Shiraz.

Shiraz has nurtured the most beautiful gardens in Iran and is also famous for its red wine, the most expensive brand is named after Shiraz due to the publicity of the product in this city and its magnificent taste. What are the requirements for composing poetry? In the literary view of the world, poets are inspired by something, or more beautifully, poets are gods who create love out of nothingness.

 

When all of Iran was plundered under the feet of bloodthirsty deserters like Genghis and his successors and the blood of countless Iranians irrigated the plains of our homeland, Iranian culture was on the verge of complete collapse because its rich scientific and artistic resources, the libraries were burnt to the ground. If it were not for the Shiraz school, perhaps Iran would have had to say farewell to its millennial heritage altogether.

Art is an integral element of Shiraz, as is poetry. The peace gained from this beauty has penetrated the hearts of its inhabitants after thousands of years and has given them a sort of coolness and introduced them as people who are always looking for the joy of celebration, dancing, and enjoying the moment now.

There are many travelogues of famous tourists such as Figo, Tavernier, Chardin, Della Valle, Careri, and others who have written interesting descriptions on Shiraz.

Despite all this and with all the elegance that Shiraz has, it has experienced many ups and downs throughout history, and the rulers of this city have not always been noble. But during the times when Shiraz was chosen as the capital of all of Iran, its artistic, economic, and social centers grew rapidly.

Shiraz is not as industrial as Isfahan or modern as Tehran. But it is always considered one of the most prominent cities in Iran. This importance and prestige, of course, is due to the largest dynasties in the history of Iran, namely Achaemenid and Sassanid, because Shiraz is located in the heart of Fars province and this geographical region played a certain role in the fate of Iran, it guided Iran to become Iran and for so long held the helms.

Shiraz with an area of ​​approximately 240 square meters is one of the largest cities in Iran, which is located in the central part of Fars province. The population of this city is about 1712745. The name of Shiraz is mentioned once in a clay tablet related to the Elamite civilization. The name of Shiraz has also been seen on some pottery belonging to the second century AD.

Shiraz is not a one-dimensional city. However, the aspects are more aesthetic. But precisely because it has different features in different contexts, it is attractive for any type of tourism. Mountaineering and nature tourism, literary, commercial and religious centers (Muslim, Zoroastrian, Armenian and Jewish), gardening, old neighborhoods, numerous historical monuments, wide sidewalks with beautiful views alongside the residents who have always been hospitable has made this city the most suitable place for tourism.

Shiraz climate can have its beauty in any season. Mainly because of this variety of climate, it has unique souvenirs such as medicinal herbs, distillates, lemon juice, bitter orange blossom, and its handicrafts, from carpets to inlays are also one of a kind.

Shiraz should be seen, taken its air in, how can one not enjoy being in an atmosphere that has raised the world’s greatest poets? A trip to Shiraz is to place yourself in the center of beauty.

Some sights of Shiraz could be mentioned here:

 

Tomb of Saadi 

He is called the Lord of Speech, the owner of romantic poetry, a Sufi, and a tourist. According to Saadi all of his ancestors were religious figures but a pair of elegant beautiful eyes taught him how to be a poet.

Saadi lived in the 13th century, perfectly well educated, and became famous as soon as his books came out, boatmen in China would sing his poets in Persian, he was and still is this popular. 

He was well respected and the land he was buried in became his fan’s holy shrine. Saadi had seen the most civilized cities of his own time and had traveled a lot. Yet, he says they were small villages compared to Shiraz.

 

Tomb of Hafez

Unlike Saadi, Hafez lived in a much difficult time, and out of his bad luck, Shiraz’s ruler in the 14th century did not like him at all. Hafez is the poet of his own time, many historical facts could be studied out of poems.

Hafez had this ambiguous character. But not in a bad way. The word “Rendi” (the most evocative symbol of the indefinable ambiguity of the Persian character) describes him well enough. He hides the things he wants to say in many poetic ways which only he could be the master of it.

Later on, people discovered him. There is not a Persian home without his Divan. His monument on his grave is designed by Andre Godard a French architect who took Hafez’s character as his inspiration. With the first look at this monument, you just see a green dome in the shape of a Sufi’s hat. But once you go underneath it there are many colorful tiles, as Hafez is, simple, and then beauty bursts out. Hafez knew he would be appreciated and adored later and said in one of his Ghazals that Rends from all over the world will come as pilgrims to visit his grave.

 

Eram Garden

Eram Garden is one of the most famous and beautiful gardens in Shiraz and we have a special blog dedicated to Persian Gardens because they are one of Iran’s UNESCO World Heritages. 

 

Nasir-ol-Molk Mosque (The Pink Mosque)

This is one of the most spectacular and different mosques of Iran. The colorful (mostly pink) tile work, the Purl Arch with perfect Muqarnas, and sash windows have made this mosque a masterpiece. 

 

Zand Complex

Shiraz was the capital of all Iran under the supervision of a great man named Karim Khan. He was ahead of his own time and very humble as he refused to take the label of ‘king’ and never wore a crown or possessed a throne. He built a complex in Shiraz which is called after his tribe name, Zand. A citadel, a public bathing place (Hammam), a bazaar, and a public mosque. He was the first king ever to respect the kings before him and paid very deep attention to art and donated marble tombstones to Hafez and Saadi. 

 

Qavam House

Ali Mohammad Qavam was appointed to be the governor of Shiraz. His house and some other buildings became quite legendary as they were so beautifully designed. The complex was built and completed during the reign of Nasser al-Din Shah Qajar. 

The Narenjestan (Naraj is bitter Orange) building was donated to Shiraz University and was used by the Asian Institute under the supervision of Professor Arthur Pope.

 

Sange-e Siyah (Black Stone) Neighborhood

Sang-e Siyah neighborhood is one of Shiraz’s old neighborhoods. Full of narrow alleys and tall walls, some new cafes and a good place to hang or stray and has several historical buildings and traditional houses.