Shiraz is the fifth most populous city of Iran and the capital of Fars Province . Shiraz is located in the southwest of Iran . It is regarded as one of the oldest cities of ancient Persia. The earliest reference to the city as Tiraziš is on Elamite clay tablets dated to 2000 BC. It was the capital of Persia during the Zand dynasty from 1750 until 1800. Two famous poets of Iran Hafez and Saadi are from Shiraz whose tombs are on the north side of the current city boundaries.
Shiraz is known as the city of poets literature and flowers. 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 Irans electronic investment has been centered in Shiraz. Shiraz is home to Iran first solar power plant.
Quran gate
One of the most famous gates in Iran is the beautiful gate called Quran gate.
This gate is located at the entrance of the city of Shiraz.
Because of the existence of two manuscripts on the top of this gate, they named this gate as the gate of the Quran
These Qurans are written by a prince in Timurid era(about 500 years ago)
These Qurans were placed on top of the gate inside the small chamber.
Iranians believed that it is better for a person who wants to travel to kiss the Quran and pass through the Quran to travel safiy.
Next to this tomb gate is one of the famous poets of Iranian named khaju kermani.
Citadel of karim khan
In the center of shiraz ,there is the royal palace of karim khan. He was founder of zandieh dynesty( about 260 years a go). He chose shiraz as his capital .
This palace have 3 residential part. In the north and west and south.at that time no electricity was invented yet ,and they built the building according to do sunshine. They used the northern most in the winter, in the spring of the western part and in the summer more than the southern part.
In this citadel there is a private bathhouse and outside of this citadel is a public bathhouse
During the subsequent time of zandieh dynasty , the citadel was used as a prison for about 40 years, and all of rooms change to cells . the citadel has now been rebuilt and somethings of the prison time has gone away and has returned same to zandieh time.
There are several wax sculptures in one of the citadels rooms, these have been rebuilt according to paintings that have remind from that time.
This citadel has 6 large rooms and one ivan in each part.
Narenjestan
This place belonged to the qavam ol-mulk family,which they were local rulers of shiraz during the Qajar period,and used Narenjestan as a court house and a place for people to visit and convene public meeting.
It took about 12 years to build this magnificent mansion.
The porch or the mirror hall is located in the middle of the mansion , and the rooms are located in the left and right sides.
On the pilins( lower part of the building)design of lion and achaemenid soldiers have been carved into imitation of Persepolis.
Narenjestan is a magnificent example of the carving , architecture, painting and mirror work and…of the Qajar time.
Professor Arthur Abraham pop a famous Iranian scholar, studied here. He brought the objects and antiques obtained in his research trips . This is the start for the formation of a museum in the basement of Narenjestan
Tomb of Hafiz
Muhammad shams ol – din , better known by his pen name ,Hafez shirazi,was one of the greatest persian poets of sonneteer poetry . who lives in he late 13th and early 14th centuries.
Hafez tomb is located in an arae full of flowers and beauty. This place is considered one of the attractions of tourism in iran.
All Iranian people are familiar with hafez book and in their library they keep a holy quran and after that , you can find hafez book.
Hafez has a world renown and and in the 18th and 19th centuries his poems have been translated into European languages
German poet goethe considers his poetry to be inferior to hafez thoughts.
Hafez has a great influence on the poets after him.
During various time, the tomb of hafez has been restored several time . about 260 years a go , during zandieh dynasty, king zandieh ordered to transfer a marble from Tabriz ( one of city in iran ) to shiraz for the hafez grave, and on it, They craved a beauty poem of hafez poetry
Tomb of saadi
Saadi shirazi is one of the greatest Iranian poets who has made Persian poetry sky with his poems.
His life date back about 800 years a go, during his lifetime, he has had many trips to different countries.after returning to shiraz, he writer his memories and experiences in the form of poetry and prose in two books.
Saadi has become famous , during his time . and his reputationhas reached beyond the borders of iran and his books have been translated into different languages.
One of saadi most beautiful poems is printedon the back of irans 10000 rials.
The handmade carpet was donated to the united nations by the country. The poem was woven on it. This carpet is now at the entrance to the united nations.
This is the translation of this poem
Human beings are members of whole
In creation of one essence and soul
Eram garden
Eram botanical garden, one of the UNESCO garden,include a magnificent mansion and a larg and beautiful garden .
The garden dates back to about 900 years.during the history,this garden was given to local ruler, for 75 years the chiefs of ghashghaei trib used the garden as their private residence, and one of heads of the tribe built an edifice in the garden.
During the rule of Naseredin Shah Qajar(1845-1894 AC), The garden belonged to the family of nasir ol- mulk, they built a magnificent mansion in this garden that still remains, and now this garden is under the control of shiraz university.
There are more than 450 category plant in this garden.the 200 –year- old trees of this garden, especially the cypress trees are world- famous.
The mansion of this garden has 2 column in ivan. At the lower part of this building the poems carved on the ston belong to famous shiraz poets.(hafiz-saadi and shooride).
The garden panoramic views, the aroma of flowers, the splendid statures of old cypress trees and grandeur of ancient building attract visitors from all over the world.
Nasir –al- mulk mosque
A magnificent mosque known for various names
light and color mosque and pink mosque ,is one of the other names for this mosque.
This mosque dating back to about 180 years ago , belong to the Qajar period.
The interior design of this mosque is very impressive….. one piece spiral column, four color glasses and reflection of light in them , and pink rose design on tiles and….
Here all of tiles have a design of flowers…its like paradise is frozen here…..here is always spring…