Articles by Rahman Mehraby on ArticleSnatch.com

Take a Trip to Shush to Visit Chogha Zanbil

Sat, 30 Apr 2011 03:19:27 -0400

You should visit Chogha Zanbil in Iran to see how awesome this ancient Elamite construction is still standing outside Shush. It is one of the few ziggurats in the world outside Mesopotamia. Located 30 km away from Susa, the place literally refers to a basket mound. Untash Napirisha built this structure in 1250 BC as a dedication to the God Inshushinak. Also known as Dur Untash, it was the residence of many priests. There are three concentric walls surrounding the complex which defines the primary area of the town. The ziggurat occupies the inner area and was built for the main god. The Ziggurat It is said that this ziggurat was built over another temple which was also constructed by Untash Napirisha. There are eleven temples in the middle area which are also dedicated to the lesser gods. Around twenty-two such temples were visualized but could not be completed as the king died before completion. The outer area contains the royal palaces, along with a special palace for the royal tombs. The death of Untash Napirisha brought all construction processes to an end which you can see when you visit Chogha Zanbil today. **End Summary** Topics: Visit Chogha Zanbil]]> Trip to Shush]]> Chogha Zanbil Temple]]> ziggurat]]> Elamites]]> ancient Iran]]> irantravel]]> iran tours]]> iran trip]]> ]]> About the Author: ]]> Destination Iran helps world travelers to visit Iran and arranges Iran tourist visa for them as part of their packages. Lean about Iran at http://www.destinationiran.com/articles .

Take a Trip to Susa to Visit Apadana Palace at Shush

Sat, 30 Apr 2011 02:45:17 -0400

Apadana Palace was built when Darius was the king of Persia as an audience hall among a few other structures. The Achaemenian king constructed this building on the Elamite hillocks. Sun baked bricks make up the walls with the facade also being made of brick. But the pillars in the structure are made of stone. The second Apadana Palace was built in Persepolis later by Darius the great to be used as his audience hall. Although several other palaces were constructed in that complex, it remained the only structure with tallest columns, almost 20 meters high. This was were Darius met with the heads of delegations coming from different parts of Persian Empire. There are various buildings at this compound including a haramsara (residence for ladies), a pavilion, entertainment hall, gateway and three courtyards in the center. Internal walls were decorated with glazed brick work embossed with figures of winged guard soldiers and also with lotus flowers. You can see parts of these relics in local museums during your trip to Susa. There was a major calamity in Apadana Palace when Ardashir I was the ruler in 461 BC. **End Summary** Topics: Apadana Palace]]> Trip to Susa]]> Iran travel]]> Iran tours]]> Iran trip]]> tour to Iran]]> Trip to Iran]]> Travel to Iran]]> traveling in Iran]]> ]]> About the Author: ]]> Destination Iran invites everyone to travel to Iran and explore Iran tourist attractions . To learn more about this fascinating country, visit our blog at http://www.destinationiran.com/articles .

Explore Bazaar of Qom When You Visit Iran

Sat, 30 Apr 2011 02:44:31 -0400

Bazaar of Qom is visited by a large number of foreign travelers to purchase various Persian specialties including some sweets called Sohan, prayer rugs and silk carpets. The market place is famous for some top-quality silk carpets woven and sold here. This bazaar does have a long historical value that attracts many people when they visit Iran. It consists of the old as well as the new sectors. The old and original marketplace is located at the east of Taleqani Avenue, starting from the limits of Paminar running toward north. It is further extended and added with the new sector running toward north. You can visit the old section of Qom Bazaar to explore a range of surrounding buildings and shops dating back to pre-Safavid period. At the same time, the extended sectors include a set of monuments bearing the architecture and arcades of the Safavid and Qajar eras. However, both sectors contain a number of structures possessing huge amount of historical and cultural values. Old Section of Qom Bazaar When you are at this town, you can observe the entry point of Razavieh School, Chehel Sotun Mosque, and Sabuniha Mosque by visiting the older sector of the bazaar. **End Summary** Topics: qom bazaar]]> visit iran]]> tour to iran]]> travel to iran trip to iran]]> iran tours]]> iran travel]]> iran trip]]> traveling in iran]]> iranian bazaars]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Destination Iran offers Iran tour packages to explore this country and provides tourist visa to Iran for its travelers. Find out more at http://www.destinationiran.com /.

Visit Imamzadeh Shahzadeh Hossein of Qazvin During Your Touring in Iran

Sat, 30 Apr 2011 02:43:23 -0400

The Imamzadeh Shahzadeh Hossein is the historical mausoleum of Hossein, who was the offspring of famous Hazrat Ali Ebne Moosa-Al Reza, the eighth Imam of Shia Muslims, the progeny of Prophet Muhammad and his eighth successor. Imamzadeh refers to places where the holy people directly or indirectly descended from the Shiite Imams. These have been the religious figures in their own times and highly respected and referred to by their followers to help them in their daily lives. As an old tradition, the followers still go to the same people after centuries and ask them for help and pray to them. Structures built for such purposes are called Imamzadeh, which are actually shrines built for such clerics. Most of visitors of the city of Qazvin, while touring in Iran, stop to explore the breath-taking beauty of this religious monument. It was built after the demise of Hossein in 901 AD. The primary structure was built during Shah Safi era. However, the initial structure has been repaired and renovated during the later periods of Persian history. The wooden crypt of the resting abode bears the date going back to 1506. **End Summary** Topics: Imamzadeh Shahzadeh Hossein]]> Touring in Iran]]> traveling in iran]]> iran travel]]> iran trip]]> iran tours]]> travel to iran]]> trip to iran]]> tours to iran]]> ]]> About the Author: ]]> Destination Iran helps world travelers to visit Iran and arranges Iran tourist visa for them as part of their packages. Lean about Iran at http://www.destinationiran.com/articles .

Explore Qazvin Bazaar During Your Trip to Iran

Sat, 30 Apr 2011 01:55:06 -0400

Qazvin Bazaar dates back to the Safavid era and has unique architecture. The main parts of the market are still reminiscent of the old times during which it was built. There have been many additions to the place too over the years. The arrangement in the area was usually done by allocating one row to one of the guilds. Each of these rows or passageways was associated with a bath, mosque and arcade. This style of planning and constructing bazaars have been in place for centuries in Iran. It brings related or similar guilds close to one another, gives them a sense of solidarity and security, and creates an ambiance of business where everyone is there to make money. You can see the Qeisarieh bazaar of Qazvin during your trip to Iran. There are four main entry points to the place. The eastern point leads you to the Vazir Inn. Sa'd-ol-Saltaneh Bazarcheh within this compound is a spot where most travelers are very much fond of. A beautiful vestibule can be seen here. The important parts of this site can be classified as follows. **End Summary** Topics: Qazvin bazaar]]> visit qazvin]]> iran travel]]> iran tours]]> iran trip]]> travel to iran]]> tour to iran]]> trip to iran]]> traveling in iran]]> ]]> About the Author: ]]> Destination Iran offers Iran tour packages to explore this country and provides tourist visa to Iran for its travelers. Find out more at http://www.destinationiran.com /.

Visit Tomb of Hamdollah Mostowfi in Qazvin When You Travel to Iran

Sat, 30 Apr 2011 01:49:26 -0400

Qazvin is located at about 165 km northwest of Tehran and about 1800 meter above the sea level. When you plan to explore this city, you can always include the Tomb of Hamdollah Mostowfi in your schedule. He was a multi-dimensional personality of the 14th century Persia. He was simultaneously famous as a historian, geographer, and an epic poet. The monument is located in the present day Qazvin, which is also spelled as Qazwin or Ghazvin. Many foreign travelers visit the structure which includes a brick-made blue turquoise conical dome. It is built using the art and architecture of the Mongolian era. Iranian have always respected their poets and men of pen. They were regarded as the enlighten people who kept their identity and intangible heritage for them. This has been how very ancient traditions, legacies, beliefs, etc have been handed over from generation to generation and people can still feel proud of what they have had and offered to the world. Historical Personality Hamdollah Mostowfi, born in 1281, was honored as a talented and multifaceted personality. He has written a number of books on Persian history, geography and epic poetry. **End Summary** Topics: Tomb of Hamdollah Mostowfi]]> Travel to Iran]]> visit iran]]> travel to iran]]> trip to iran]]> tours to iran]]> iran travel]]> iran trip]]> iran tours]]> ]]> About the Author: ]]> Destination Iran invites everyone to travel to Iran and explore Iran tourist attractions . To learn more about this fascinating country, visit our blog at http://www.destinationiran.com/articles .

Explore Dowlat Khaneh of Qazvin While Traveling in Iran

Sat, 30 Apr 2011 01:49:26 -0400

Dowlat Khaneh of Qazvin literally refers the house of government or compound located around the city center. As the city was the capital and a major center of the Iranian government, it has always remained a center of cultural and political activities. A number of international tourists visit the site while travelling in Iran to observe a set of historical monuments and palaces including the more popular Forty column Palace (Chehel Sotun) and Ali Qapu. They also make a trip to see the palaces built by the Safavid King, Shah Abbas II, in Isfahan, during a later period of history. Chehel Sotoun Palace Chehel Sotoun was an important part of the old Dowlat Khaneh of Qazvin and used by the rulers of its time. The name of the monument means forty columns in the Persian language. This number signifies abundance in Persian culture and as the edifice has got plenty of columns all around it, this name has been chosen for it. Shah Abbas II built the pavilion in the middle of a garden for entertaining and receiving the royal guests. **End Summary** Topics: Dowlat Khaneh of Qazvin]]> Traveling in Iran]]> Dowlat Khaneh]]> Qazvin]]> visit iran]]> traveling in iran]]> iran travel]]> iran trip]]> iran tours]]> ]]> About the Author: ]]> Destination Iran arranges tour packages for traveling in Iran for all the tourists who want to take a trip to Iran . Learn more about Iran at: http://www.destinationiran.com/articles .

Introduction of Ganjali Khan Complex at Kerman Bazaar

Mon, 18 Apr 2011 19:18:12 -0400

Ganjali Khan was a Safavid governor of the region who ordered such complex to be built at the side of the bazaar. What you see there is a square, school, bathhouse, caravansary, mosque, mint, bazaar and a water reservoir. Named after Ganjali Khan, the governor of Sistan, Kerman and Kandahar provinces, the area dates back to the time between 1596 and 1621. The Safavid King, Shah Abbas I, was ruling over Iran during that period. The architect of these structures was Mr. Mohammad Soltani, an architect form Yazd province. Ganjali Square - Built similar to Mir Chakhmagh square in Yazd and Naqsh-e-Jahan square in Isfahan, this square is the main part of Ganjali Khan Complex and was used for ceremonies and gatherings. There are many caravansaries, bazaars and schools around this focal point. Ganjali Bathhouse - Situated to the south of the square, it is along the main passageway of Kerman bazaar. It dates back to 1631 during the Safavid times. You can see the typical ornaments of this era on the entrance of the structure. The flooring also matches the stones sculptured into the ceiling. **End Summary** Topics: Ganjali Khan Complex]]> Kerman bazaar]]> Kerman]]> bazaar]]> visitkerman]]> visit Iran]]> traveling in Iran]]> tours to iran]]> trip to Iran]]> ]]> About the Author: ]]> Destination Iran offers Iran trip packages to explore this country and provides tourist visa to Iran for its travelers. Find out more at http://www.destinationiran.com /.

Visit Taq e Bostan during Traveling in Iran

Mon, 18 Apr 2011 19:01:46 -0400

Taq e Bostan mainly refers to the rock relief located 5 km from Kermanshah. The origin of these remnants dates back to Sassanid times between 226 and 650 AD. The rock reliefs are situated within Zagros mountains and still stand in good shape after 1700 years of being exposed to rain and wind. The carvings are some of the best forms of Persian reliefs in Sassanid era. Representations of the crowning ceremonies of Ardashir I and Shapur I can be seen here. You can feel the power, glory, festivity and gaiety at these depictions. Many Relics Situated along the Silk Route in Iran, you cannot miss exploring Taq e Bostan for yourselves. The relief is further made attractive by the spring which originates in the rock and ends in the pool near the bottom of the mountain cliff. There are altogether more than 30 such relics on the Zagros mountains which date back to Sassanid times. Along with crowning ceremonies, you can also see the hunting scenes of Khosrau II while traveling in Iran. **End Summary** Topics: Taq e Bostan]]> Traveling in Iran]]> visit kermanshah]]> kermanshah]]> visit Iran]]> iran travel]]> iran trip]]> iran tours]]> tour to iran]]> ]]> About the Author: ]]> Destination Iran arranges tour packages for traveling in Iran for all the tourists who want to take a trip to Iran . Learn more about Iran at: http://www.destinationiran.com/articles .

Visit Goharshad Mosque during Your Trip to Mashad

Mon, 18 Apr 2011 18:55:14 -0400

Goharshad Mosque is an old structure you would love to explore to the south of Imam Reza's shrine in Mashad. Built in 15th century AD, the building took about 12 years to be completed. It is considered to be one of the noblest mosques of Central Asia. Goharshad, the wife of Shahrokh, Timurid king, ordered the construction of this elegant mosque. The inscriptions found on the facade of this structure suggest that it was built when Shahrokh was the king. A well-known Shirazy architect was assigned to carry out the design of this mosque. Renovation Work Your trip to Mashad helps you understand the comprehensive deed of endowment which was made in 1425.The structure was built and renovated many times when the Safavid king, Shah Abbas was on the throne. This powerful ruler of Iran has contributed a lot to the construction, restoration and reconstruction of lots of religious sites of Iran. This was the time when the Uzbeks were completely ousted from Iran. There is an inscription on the northern veranda which bears proof of the monument being renovated by the Safavids. There was a devastating earthquake in Mashad in 1803, which ruined Goharshad Mosque. **End Summary** Topics: Visit Goharshad Mosque]]> Trip to Mashad]]> visit Iran]]> Mashad]]> tour to iran]]> trip to iran]]> travel to Iran]]> iran trip]]> iran tours]]> ]]> About the Author: ]]> Destination Iran offers Iran trip packages to explore this country and provides tourist visa to Iran for its travelers. Find out more at http://www.destinationiran.com /.

Visit Tomb of Nader Shah During Your Visit to Iran

Mon, 18 Apr 2011 18:54:50 -0400

Tomb of Nader Shah can be seen amid the beautiful flowers of a huge garden. There is a museum nearby too and tourists from different parts of the world travel to Mashad to visit this place. You can reach the tomb by driving only a mile toward the north of Imam Reza's Shrine. He was buried here after his assassination in 1933. Though it has been considerably ruined, yet you can still see parts of the original structure during your visit to Iran. Constructed with black marble, the mausoleum has a huge metal dome supported on monumental columns. When you visit the site, you will come to know that it is a humble burial place constructed for him. The plinth on which tomb of Nader Shah is built is just like you would have expected, with the grave of Nader Shah located below the building. The grave of Nader Shah is placed alongside the grave of his wife Zahir Shah, who died afterward. The Life of Nader Shah He came to the political scene of Iran in a disturbed time when Afghans had attacked the capital city of the time, Isfahan. Russians and Ottomans had also occupied parts of Persia. **End Summary** Topics: Tomb of Nader Shah]]> Visit to Iran]]> Nader Shah]]> visit ofIran]]> visit iran]]> iran travel]]> Iran trip]]> iran tours]]> trip to iran]]> ]]> About the Author: ]]> Destination Iran offers Iran trip packages to explore this country and provides tourist visa to Iran for its travelers. Find out more at http://www.destinationiran.com /.

Explore Tekieh Moaven-ol-Molk When You Travel to Iran

Mon, 18 Apr 2011 18:54:28 -0400

Tekieh Moaven-ol-Molk was built on the orders of Hossein Khan Moeen al-Roa'aya, who was a successful businessman in Kermanshah bazaar. It was meant to be a husseiniya when built in 1897 but was devastated by the enemies of the businessman in 1909. Hassan Khan Moaven al-Molk later renovated the place in 1912. A zainabiyeh and an abbasiyeh were added to the already existing tekieh. The structure was again ruined during the Iran-Iraq war but renovated soon after that. The beauty of the structure lies in the attractive mosaic and tile works with religious stories and mythical figures depicted on them. Various historical, religious and political leaders have been depicted in this place. Three Sections When you travel to Iran, you can see that Tekieh Moaven-ol-Molk consists of three parts and is located much below the street level close to bazaar area. Seventeen steep steps lead down from the street to the building. There is a sagha-khaneh near the steps where water is offered to the visitors. Husseiniya is the first part of the tekieh and is a courtyard enclosed within two-storey chambers. The zainabiyeh is the second part and consists of a domed chamber. **End Summary** Topics: Tekieh Moaven-ol-Molk]]> Travel to Iran]]> visitiran]]> tour to iran]]> trip to iran]]> iran travel]]> iran trip]]> iran tours]]> traveling in iran]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Destination Iran provides Iran visa services as part of its Iran travel packages for the tourists of all nationalities. Learn more at: http://www.destinationiran.com .

Take a Trip to Kangavar to Visit Anahita Temple

Mon, 18 Apr 2011 18:53:25 -0400

Anahita Temple has been built in honor of goddess Anahita. There are two such temples in Iran but the more popular one is in Kangavar. You can find the other one in Bishapur, south of Iran where Shapur, the mighty Sassanian king has built a city after the defeat of Valerian, the Roman emperor. That temple constructed at that site is much smaller than this although functionally they are similar. The trip to Kangavar will show you ruins which suggest a Hellenistic style of architecture along with Persian influences. The Persian elements can be found in the enormous dimension of the plinth built on a megalithic foundation. These look more like the Achaemenid stone platforms. The influence can be further felt in two lateral stairways leading to a huge stone platform. The style is clearly reminiscent of the Achaemenid traditions. Identity of Structure There is a lot of dispute about the identity of the Anahita Temple. The first excavations were made in 1968, which revealed the huge structure based on a stone platform. It was referred to as the temple of Artemis which can be interpreted as temple of Anahita. **End Summary** Topics: Trip to Kangavar]]> visit Anahita Temple]]> Anahita Temple]]> kangavar]]> iran travel]]> iran trip]]> iran tours]]> trip to iran]]> travel to iran]]> ]]> About the Author: ]]> Destination Iran helps world travelers to visit Iran and arranges Iran tourist visa for them as part of their packages. Lean about Iran at http://www.destinationiran.com/articles .

Visit Golpayegan Friday Mosque When You Visit Iran

Mon, 18 Apr 2011 18:47:59 -0400

Golpayegan Friday Mosque dates back to Seljuk period. Sultan Muhammad Tapar I ordered it to be constructed between 1105 and 1118 AD. The dome chamber is the only structure which remains standing now from the original construction. The Qajar rulers reconstructed the building and included four eyvans in it. The style of architecture is reminiscent of the Sassanian temple structure according to one hypothesis. The dome was made into a chahar taq (a square domed structure having four arched entrances in the middle of each side) with a minaret at the side. There was a huge courtyard surrounded by walls and people gathered here to offer their prayers. Architecture Style of Golpayegan Friday Mosque The architecture of this temple has changed somewhat over time. There used to be wooden columns supporting a hypostyle hall with a roof. The dome chamber was there in the center of it. What you can see today when you visit this mosque in Iran is the remaining parts rebuilt from Qajars period, nineteenth century. It is rectangular in shape with vaulted ceilings, domed prayer halls and a rectangular courtyard. There are four eyvans on every side of the courtyard. **End Summary** Topics: Golpayegan Friday Mosque]]> Friday Mosque]]> Mosque]]> visit Iran]]> travelto Iran]]> trip to Iran]]> tours to iran]]> Irantravel]]> iran trip]]> ]]> About the Author: ]]> Destination Iran helps world travelers to visit Iran and arranges Iran tourist visa for them as part of their packages. Lean about Iran at http://www.destinationiran.com/articles .

Visit Stone Lion Statue at Hamedan during Your Travel to Iran

Mon, 07 Mar 2011 12:54:15 -0500

Shir Sangi (Stone Lion) Statue is an ancient monument which can be seen in Hamedan close to a small hill, near an old cemetery belonging to the Parthian times. Initially, there were two such lions guarding the gate. In fact, after the Arab invasion, the victorious rulers proclaimed it as the lion's gate or "bab ul asad". But later on, when the Deylamids invaded the city, the gates were demolished. There was a futile attempt to transfer one of the lions to the city of Ray by Mardavij. When the mission failed, he ordered the lions to be pulled down. He was able to demolish only one lion completely, but the other one could not be fully destroyed. Ambiguous Date of Construction You can still see the half destroyed Stone Lion Statue during your travel to Iran. This one has one of its arms broken and was pulled and placed down so that it lay on its side. It was reinstated again in 1949 and another arm was built to replace the destroyed one. According to some sources in Iran's Cultural Heritage Organization, the lions were constructed by Alexander when his beloved companion Hephaestion died. **End Summary** Topics: Shir Sangi]]> stonelion statue]]> hamadan]]> hemedan]]> trip to iran]]> Iran trip]]> tour to iran]]> iran tours]]> travel to iran]]> ]]> About the Author: ]]> Destination Iran invites everyone to travel to Iran and explore Iran tourist attractions . To learn more about this fascinating country, visit our blog at http://www.destinationiran.com/articles .

Visit Ganjnameh Inscriptions & Valley during Your Visit to Iran

Mon, 07 Mar 2011 12:54:02 -0500

You can see Ganjnameh inscriptions on one side of Alvand mountain, about 5 km from Hamedan in Iran. In Persian, the word means "treasure epistle". It is two pieces of inscription carved in granite on the face of the mountain. The carving on the left is attributed to Darius I who lived from 521 - 485 BC. The other carving on the right is about his son, Xerxes I who lived from 485 - 65 BC. The writings are in three different languages of Old Persian, Neo Elamite and Neo Babylonian, but in the same script of cuneiform. They begin with singing praises of God who was known as Ahura Mazda and then go on to greatly acclaim the brave deeds of the two kings. Location of the Site During your visit to Iran, you will learn that Ganjnameh inscription was so called as it was thought that these writings would lead to a hidden treasury. It is also known as Jangnameh or "war epistle". You can now see two more carved tablets in the parking lot of the site with both the Persian and English translation of the original carvings. **End Summary** Topics: Ganjnameh Inscriptions]]> trip to iran]]> Iran trip]]> tour to iran]]> iran tours]]> travel to iran]]> iran travel]]> traveling in iran]]> visit iran]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Destination Iran offers Iran travel packages to explore this country and provides tourist visa to Iran for its travelers. Find out more at http://www.destinationiran.com /.

Visit Narenjestan e Qavam During Your Trip to Iran

Mon, 07 Mar 2011 12:39:16 -0500

Narenjestan e Qavam in Shiraz denotes the rich tradition in the history of Iran. Mirza Ibrahim Khan was in charge of building this house in 19th century. The family residing in the interior section of this house originally hailed from Qazvin and was merchants by profession. They became involved in the government under the Zand rulers, Qajars and the Pahlavi rulers. The building is a fine example of the sophistication of the upper class families in Shiraz of 19th century. Beauty of the Place The main attraction in Narenjestan e Qavam is the mirrored porch from where you can see the gardens full of flowers and date palms and orange trees. It became the headquarters of the Asia Institute under the Pahlavi University in the second Pahlavi era. The directors, Arthur Pope and Richard Nelson Frye resided in this house during that period. Today, it is a museum which you can visit during your trip to Iran. It is a great spot to explore in the hot summers as its cool gardens can provide respite from the hot sun. You can see many paintings in the low ceilings of the structure which remind you of the Victorian era in Europe. **End Summary** Topics: Narenjestan e Qavam]]> visit Shiraz]]> trip to iran]]> Iran trip]]> tour to iran]]> iran tours]]> travel to iran]]> iran travel]]> traveling in iran]]> ]]> About the Author: ]]> Destination Iran invites everyone to travel to Iran and explore Iran tourist attractions . To learn more about this fascinating country, visit our blog at http://www.destinationiran.com/articles .

Why Visit Isfahan Old Friday Mosque While Visiting Iran

Mon, 07 Mar 2011 12:34:19 -0500

Isfahan Old Friday Mosque is said to have been a fire temple before Arab's conquest of Iran. Later, when Iranians converted to Islam, changed the function of the building to be used for the new religion. The reconstruction, redirection of the main domed chamber of ht emosque went on for a few centuries until a main structure started to be built here at Seljuk era between 1038 and 1118 AD. They made Isfahan their capital when they came to Iran in the eleventh century. They wanted to restore the Abbasid Caliphate. When Tughril Beg conquered Isfahan, he established his empire here and built some of the greatest architectural wonders. This mosque was one of the main buildings among them. There was an adjacent square nearby and the mosque was planned to be on the northern side of it. Different Accounts But when Shah Abbas came to the throne with the Safavids ruling Iran, he built his maydan in 1602 and changed the focal point of the city to a place in the south which reduced the importance of Isfahan Old Friday Mosque. Thus, the monument actually gained glory during the Seljuk era. **End Summary** Topics: Isfahan Old Friday Mosque]]> Old Friday Mosque]]> Friday Mosque]]> Isfahan]]> visit isfahan]]> trip to iran]]> Iran trip]]> tour to iran]]> iran tours]]> ]]> About the Author: ]]> Destination Iran offers Iran travel packages to explore this country and provides tourist visa to Iran for its travelers. Find out more at http://www.destinationiran.com /.

Visit Borj e Ghorban While You Visit Iran

Mon, 07 Mar 2011 12:34:04 -0500

Borj e Ghorban is a burial monument built during 10th or 11th century and is located near Ibn-e Sina high school is Hamedan. The structure is considered a tomb tower located in an area, which is said to belong to the Zandi-ha district. It is known to be the burial site of Sheikh ol-Islam Hassan Ibn-e Attar Hafez Abul Ala Hamedani and many more governors of Seljuk times which you can see when you visit Iran. His Life Borj e Ghorban was the place where Hafez was buried. Although his great grandfather had come from Arabia, he was born in Hamedan in 1067 AD. You can get accounts of his life from the eighth volume of the book Mojam ol-Odaba. He was a voracious learner and traveled widely to Esfahan, Khorasan and Baghdad to know more about narration, lexicon, grammar and Koranic studies. He extensively learned Islamic traditions (Hadith) narrated from well-known masters living at his time and before him. Even today, scholars who do narration refer to Hafez for inspiration. He was a religious man and a great narrator. He had learned Koran completely and explained its teachings to the people of his time. **End Summary** Topics: Borj e Ghorban]]> hamedan]]> hamadan]]> visit hamedan]]> trip to iran]]> Iran trip]]> tour to iran]]> iran tours]]> travel to iran]]> ]]> About the Author: ]]> Destination Iran helps world travelers to visit Iran and arranges Iran tourist visa for them as part of their packages. Lean about Iran at http://www.destinationiran.com/articles .

Visit Gonbad e Alavian During Your Visit of Iran

Mon, 07 Mar 2011 12:32:03 -0500

Gonbad e Alavian is a rectangular-plan structure which has the tombs of two people belonging to a family by the same name, who lived during Seljuk period. Though the structure has been ruined over the ages, yet you can notice that some of the original plaster-worked parts are still there. The tombs lie underneath the domed ceiling located in the cellar of the structure. The ceiling is nicely decorated in blue tiles. This burial place used to be in the middle of a courtyard belonging to a school. Fortunately, the cultural heritage authorities have arranged for the separation of school from the historic monument. Today, it is standing by itself and has got the boundaries of its own. Beautiful Decoration Inside and Outside Gonbad e Alavian dates back to 12th century and looks quite like Gonbad-e Sorkh (red dome) of Maragheh from outside. If you look at the building from outside, you can see the brickwork taking the form of a diamond in it. Inscriptions have been carved into the brick which are in Kufic script. These inscriptions can be seen on the columns and outer walls. Decoration can also be observed on the entrance of the tomb. **End Summary** Topics: Gonbad e Alavian]]> hamadan]]> hamedan]]> trip to iran]]> Iran trip]]> tour to iran]]> iran tours]]> travel to iran]]> iran travel]]> ]]> About the Author: ]]> Destination Iran offers Iran travel packages to explore this country and provides tourist visa to Iran for its travelers. Find out more at http://www.destinationiran.com /.

Explore Tomb of Esther and Mordecai in Hamedan When You Travel to Iran

Mon, 07 Mar 2011 12:29:13 -0500

Tomb of Esther and Mordecai is a Jewish monument built in honor of Esther, the wife of Xerxes, the Achaemenian ruler and her uncle, Mordecai. Esther was a Jew herself and lived from 485 - 465 BC. She made Persia her home and established many Jewish colonies here. This allowed protection to the followers of the Jewish faith and they received royal patronage. Her uncle Mordecai, also helped her in this cause. There are also stories about the tomb being dedicated to Shushan, who was a Sassanian queen but Jewish by birth. She was the wife of Yazdgerd I and helped establish a Jewish colony in the 5th century in the city of Hamedan. Pilgrimage Site When you travel to Iran, you can see Tomb of Esther and Mordecai inside a garden in Shari'ati Street in Hamedan. It is located to the west of Imam Khomeini Square. Many Jews come for pilgrimage to this site from throughout the world. The dome is made of brick and there is plaster on the inner walls. You can find some Hebrew inscriptions on the walls too. **End Summary** Topics: Tomb of Esther and Mordecai]]> Esther and Mordecai]]> visit hamedan]]> hamadan]]> trip to iran]]> Iran trip]]> tour to iran]]> iran tours]]> travel to iran]]> ]]> About the Author: ]]> Destination Iran helps world travelers to visit Iran and arranges Iran tourist visa for them as part of their packages. Lean about Iran at http://www.destinationiran.com/articles .

Visit Tomb of Baba Taher in Hamedan During Your Trip to Iran

Mon, 07 Mar 2011 12:28:15 -0500

Tomb of Baba Taher can be seen in the north of Hamedan city. It is dedicated to this poet. He was known for his mystic poems composed around 11th century. There are marble slabs in the mausoleum which look like parchment. The poems by Baba Taher are inscribed in black calligraphy here. The slabs are bordered by alabaster. You can also see beautiful tile work in the interior of the monument along with a lattice roof. Location Tomb of Baba Taher is situated in a park with blooming flowers and many pathways. There is a central tower supported by twelve external pillars. After being ravaged over the ages, the monument was renovated in 1970. You can see the tomb while approaching from Tehran highway and near the square named after him in Hamedan. Its vertical shape looks like a rocket and was built after the death of the mystic poet in 1019. Today, this tomb is in the middle of a large square around which plenty of life is going on. The entire square is full of benches and green areas. People go on picnic here and around the tomb in the central part of this square. **End Summary** Topics: tomb of baba taher]]> baba taher]]> visit hamedan]]> hamedan]]> trip to iran]]> Iran trip]]> tour to iran]]> iran tours]]> travel to iran]]> ]]> About the Author: ]]> Destination Iran invites everyone to travel to Iran and explore Iran tourist attractions . To learn more about this fascinating country, visit our blog at http://www.destinationiran.com/articles .

Visit Tomb of Avicenna in Hamedan While Traveling in Iran

Mon, 07 Mar 2011 12:27:03 -0500

Tomb of Avicenna is very similar to the Gunbad-i-Qabus tomb tower in Iran which was constructed in 1006. Avicenna or Ibn Sina was a Persian philosopher and physician, whose mausoleum was constructed by the Iranian Monuments Society in 1953. This was done on the millennial birth anniversary of the physician. This structure differed from the Gunbad-i-Qabus tomb tower in the design of the interior which was left empty and open by the help of suitable building materials. As a matter of fact, unlike the former building, this one was not made of bricks. The mausoleum was built in 1952 and it had a conical roof supported by 12 tall pillars with an empty space in the center. His Famous Works Ibn Sina became a disciple of Koushvar, who was a physician. After completing his study of medicine, he wrote 450 treatises on many different subjects. You can still find 240 of them today. There are about 150 of them on philosophy and 40 on medicine. One of his famous works includes "The Book of Healing" which is an encyclopedia on philosophy and science. **End Summary** Topics: Tomb of Avicenna]]> Avicenna]]> trip to iran]]> Iran trip]]> tour to iran]]> iran tours]]> travel to iran]]> iran travel]]> traveling in iran]]> ]]> About the Author: ]]> Destination Iran arranges tour packages for traveling in Iran for all the tourists who want to take a trip to Iran . Learn more about Iran at: http://www.destinationiran.com/articles .

Explore the Ancient city of Ecbatana in Media, Hamedan, Iran

Mon, 07 Mar 2011 12:26:30 -0500

Before Persian empire was established by Cyrus the Great in 549 BC, Ecbatana was the capital city of Astyages and former Median kings. It came under Persian rule and was used as the summer resort of the Persian kings at the time of Darius the great. Its location at the foot of Mount Alvand made it an ideal summer residence. The Parthian kings also made this city their capital and established a mint here in which drachm, tetradrachm, and many other bronze coins were produced. You can also find mention of this city in the Hebrew Bible (Ezra 6.2). It was referred to as Achmetha in the Bible. Result of Excavations Another reason that contributes to the reputation of this ancient city is the murder of Parmenio, the Macedonian Greek general, occurred here by the orders of Alexander. The first traces of the city were noticed in the excavation done by Charles Fossey in 1913. Later excavations in 1971 also revealed more parts of the city. This capital city of Medes was founded by Deioces who started Median Empire. He is reported to have built seven concentric walls around his palace each one being colored differently. **End Summary** Topics: before Persian empire]]> Persian empire]]> trip to iran]]> Iran trip]]> tour to iran]]> iran tours]]> travel to iran]]> iran travel]]> traveling in iran]]> ]]> About the Author: ]]> Destination Iran helps world travelers to visit Iran and arranges Iran tourist visa for them as part of their packages. Lean about Iran at http://www.destinationiran.com/articles .

Visit Soltanieh Dome When You Travel to Iran

Mon, 28 Feb 2011 13:50:29 -0500

When you travel to Iran, visit Soltanieh Dome lying near Zanjan province. It is the biggest structure of its kind made with bricks. UNESCO has approved it to be registered as a World Heritage Site. The monument was world's tallest building of its time and ranks third currently after Saint Mary church in Florence and Aya Sofia Mosque in Istanbul. With a height of 54 meters, the dome is the tallest among major historical sites in Iran. The entire structure of the building consists of three parts, such as, mausoleum, dome chamber and vault. The dome chamber attracts many visitors with Islamic inscriptions and the chamber decorated with a traditional Persian art, muqarnas. Structure of the Building Many people visit Soltanieh Dome to see an ancient structure made during the reign of Sultan Mohammad Khoda Bandeh (Oljaito). Inside the structure, you can see 8 elevated porticoes and about 50 chambers. It also includes an area that is designed like a hall attached to the main building called Tor. The dome weighing 200 tons is placed on pillars, each bearing an area of 50 square meters individually. **End Summary** Topics: Visit Soltanieh Dome]]> Soltanieh Dome]]> Soltanieh]]> Zanjan]]> visit Iran]]> travel to Iran]]> trip to Iran]]> tours to Iran]]> traveling in Iran]]> ]]> About the Author: ]]> Destination Iran offers Iran travel packages to explore this country and provides tourist visa to Iran for its travelers. Find out more at http://www.destinationiran.com .