“Why go there? Isn’t it dangerous?” was pretty much all I heard in response to telling people I was off to Iran. Whilst the west today has a bit of a confrontational relationship with Iran, it is in fact quite safe and the people are some of the friendliest and most hospitable I’ve ever met!
In addition, the history of the region (it is ancient Persia after all) is quite amazing and with 2,500 year old cities such as Persepolis, and the beautiful garden city of Esfahan to see, its definitely worth visiting and I can highly recommend it.
Chehel Sotun Palace
Esfahan
Originally built in the 1600s the palace was left in ruins for a long time and has only recently been renovated. The palace is also referred to as the 40 Column Palace. The main entrance is supported by 20 columns which when viewed from the front reflect in the pool showing 40 columns.
Chehel Sotun Palace
Esfahan
Originally built in the 1600s the palace was left in ruins for a long time and has only recently been renovated. The palace is also referred to as the 40 Column Palace. The main entrance is supported by 20 columns which when viewed from the front reflect in the pool showing 40 columns.
Abyaneh
Situated at the foot of Mount Karkus, this villages twisting narrow lanes and red brick houses show its age. Its over 1500 years old and due to its ago and isolation some elders still speak Middle Persian, an earlier dialect of Farsi that disappeared elsewhere centuries ago.
Abyaneh
The Lonley Planet guide mentions the toothless old women who push a hard bargain on dried apples (and they weren’t wrong!). Again because of the isolation and age of the village even the dress is slightly different and more colourful to that seen elsewhere.
Imam Mosque
Esfahan
Inside the Imam Mosque the walls and dome are covered with deep blue tiles and intricate designs in yellow and green.
The unsual decoration that is part of many of the mosque arches.
It vague reminds me of either mosaic stalactites or a colourful wasp nest! Either way the intricacies of the designs are impressive.
Ateshkadeh
Yazd
Zoroastrians from around the world come here to view this sacred flame which has supposedly been burning non-stop inside this building since about 470 AD. Above the temple you can see the Fravahar symbol which represents the Good Thoughts, Good Mind, Good Deeds which forms one of the central principles of Zoroastrianism.
Ali Qapu Palace
Esfahan
Half way up Ali Qapu Palace sites an elevated terrace with the roof above supported by 18 slender wooden columns (and a few metal girders now since damage from an earthquake). It provides a good viewpoint to look over Imam Square.
Near Yazd
Many families use motorbikes to get around, often fitting several family members on the bike at the same time. We saw quite a lot of riders with very young kids sat with them or squashed between mother and father!
Ali Qapu Palace
Esfahan
On the opposite side of Imam Square to the Ladies Mosque site Ali Qapu Palace. Built at the end of the 1500s it is narrow and tall (48m high with six storeys). Although this might look like a repository for bottles and objects, this is infact the music room on the top floor and the shapes cut into the plasterwork are to improve the acoustics.
Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque
Esfahan
Below the dome the rich decoration continues across the walls and windows.
Oljeitu Mausoleum
Soltaniyeh
View of the worlds tallest brick dome! Built in the early 1300’s much of the town was destroyed by invaders and earthquakes. The majority of the mausoleum survived and is currently undergoing extensive restoration.
Khaju Bridge
Esfahan
There are several beautiful bridges across the Zayandeh Bridge in Esfahan. They are popular places to meet, chat, socialise or just watch the world go by.
Persepolis
Persepolis was built during the Achamenis Empire (550-330 BC) and even though its now in ruins you can still get a feel for how grand the city must have been. The city was lost for centuries, covered by dust and sand and only following extensive excavations in the 1930s did skill and vision of its creators come to light once again.
Persepolis
Persepolis was built during the Achamenis Empire (550-330 BC) and even though its now in ruins you can still get a feel for how grand the city must have been. The city was lost for centuries, covered by dust and sand and only following extensive excavations in the 1930s did skill and vision of its creators come to light once again.
Arg-e Karim Khan
Shiraz
This huge citadel is pretty much the centre of Shiraz and a popular place to hang out. It was originally built during the late 1700’s by Karim Khan. Although you can’t tell from this shot, the tower in the foreground now has a noticeable lean after it subsided into the unground system that formed the citadel’s bathhouse.
Pottery
Yazd
A lot of pottery and glazeware is produced near Yazd.
Persepolis
Persepolis was built during the Achamenis Empire (550-330 BC) and even though its now in ruins you can still get a feel for how grand the city must have been. The city was lost for centuries, covered by dust and sand and only following extensive excavations in the 1930s did skill and vision of its creators come to light once again.
Old Town
Yazd
The older parts of town contain many narrow alleys with high walls, or covered alleys as shown. This is to avoid the summer sun which on the edge of the desert can be very hot!
The Tomb of Cyrus the Great
Pasargadae
The city of Pasargadae was begun by Cyrus the Great in 546 BC but was overtaken by Persepolis. The tomb of Cyrus remains but along with most of the city, the gardens that surrounded the tomb have now disappeared.