Exploring: Iran
- Megan Connor
- Jun 13, 2017
- 3 min read
Iran has been under nuclear sanctions for many years, making the country difficult to access as a tourist destination through this time. However, these sanctions were lifted early last year when Iran signed an agreement which will allow for constant surveillance of their nuclear plants. Without these sanctions, Iran has plans to build on their tourism industry in order to increase their tourist market. I am personally very excited about this because I would love to experience the Persian culture. I recently read an article about Esfahan in issue 89 of the Lonely Planet travel magazine that I am subscribed to and it inspired me to do further research on Iran as a whole. Here are the places I would most like to visit in Iran.
Tehran: Located at the base of the Alborz Mountains, Tehran is Iran’s capital city. Whilst it may lack historical significance, there is plenty to see and do within the city, with numerous famous landmarks and museums. We will be exploring many historical sites within the tour, so this will offer something different, a more modern experience.
Qom: This is regarded as the 2nd holiest city in Iran, and is a major pilgrimage destination amongst those of the Islamic faith. It is home to the Shrine of Fatimah al-Masumah and the Jamkaran Mosque. Qom is also famous for producing “Sohan”, a kind of brittle toffee.
Kashan: One of Iran’s lesser known cities, Kashan is a hidden gem. Within the city you will find a collection of architecturally beautiful 19th century buildings, each with a historic tale to its name. Shah Abbas, the 5th king of Iran is buried here. The city has an interesting history, being overtaken by the army of Prophet Mohammed in the 7th century, and today, serves as a center for the production of textiles within Iran.
Yazd: Bordered by deserts, Yazd has a unique Persian architecture with its mud-brick old town and ‘wind catchers’, which were created to ventilate the homes of residents. It is also known for the production of Termeh (Iranian handwoven cloth. Yazdi confectionery is also known to be of a high quality. Yazd also has a lot of history relating to those of the ancient Zoroastrian religion.
Meymand: This ancient cave village is a UNESCO world heritage site. There are 350 houses which are have been carved into the walls of the valley. Some residents of the village still occupy these homes. It is thought that the village has existed for some 12,000 years, with engravings found around the area which are thought to be around 10,000 years old demonstrating how long the village may have been inhabited.
Presepolis: Here lie the ruins of the ancient Achaemenid Empire. However, in the Middle Ages, people believed that the ruins were built by Jamshaid, who is a mythological figure in Iran. The name Persepolis comes from the Greek language, and means "The City of the Persians”. For centuries, these ruins were covered by sand and this is why they are so well preserved after being built so long ago. Uncovered again in the 1930’s, the ruins are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and showcase impressive gateways and staircases amongst tall stone columns.
Shiraz: Once the capital of Iran, Shiraz is regarded as the very embodiment of Persian culture. The city is famous for poetry, and houses the graves of many famous Iranian poets. You can also find beautiful gardens, monumental mosques, and exceptional wine. Shiraz is known as the city of poets, wine, literature and gardens. It is a highly regarded location where education is concerned and is home to many prestigious colleges.
Esfahan: Iran’s 3rd largest city, Esfahan is regarded as the top tourist destination within Iran. It’s UNESCO listed square is located in the city center and set the standard for what you can expect to see throughout this grand Persian city. There is much to see here, from beautiful gardens to historic buildings Isfahan is a hub of traditional Iranian and Persian culture. It is a great place to collectcollvenirs, with many artisanal shops and stall throughout the city, everything here has a certain authenticity.
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