About Shiraz: Shiraz is the largest academic, cultural and industrial center in south Iran. It is regarded as one of the oldest cities of ancient

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1 About Shiraz: Shiraz is the largest academic, cultural and industrial center in south Iran. It is regarded as one of the oldest cities of ancient Persia and contains outstanding examples of Persian art and architecture. Shiraz is known as the city of poets, literature and flowers. Two prominent poets, Hafiz and Saadi are from Shiraz. It is also considered by many Iranians to be the city of gardens and orchards. Shiraz has a moderate climate and offers a wealth of attractions, sights and events,e.g. Persepolis, Eram Garden, Hafiz and Saadi Tombs and Shahchergh among others. The main handicraft of Shiraz is the inlaid mosaic work of triangular design. Shiraz also has a major oil refinery and is a major center for Iran s electronic industries. The City: Shiraz is a city of sophistication that has been celebrated as the heartland of Persian culture for more than 2000 years. Known as the Dar-ol-Elm (House of Learning), the City of Roses, City of Love and City of Gardens, Shiraz has become synonymous with education, nightingales, and poetry. It was one of the most important cities in the medieval Islamic world and was the Iranian capital during the Zand dynasty (AD ), when many of its most beautiful buildings were built or restored. This city is situated in the south east of Iran and is the capital city of Fars Province, with a population of about Shiraz is one of Iran s five largest cities. The city is at an altitude of 1486 meters above sea level and enjoys a temperate climate. It is mild in spring and hot in the summer. The autumns in Shiraz are not too cold; however, the winters tend to be quite cold. According to some Iranian mythological traditions, it was originally erected by and named after Shiraz the son of Tahmuras of the Pishdadian dynasty. Another story attributes the name to be an evolved form of shahr-e-raz meaning the city of mysteries. It has also been claimed that the name refers to the resemblance of the city to a lion s den, hence the name shir + az. The name Shiraz is also mentioned in cuneiform inscriptions from around 2000 BCE found in the southwestern corner of the city. 1

2 Tourist Attractions, Religious and Historical sites to visit: The Arg of Karim Khan 2

3 The Arg of Karim Khan or Karim Khani Citadel is a citadel located in the northeast of Shiraz. It was built as part of a complex during the Zand dynasty and is named after Karim Khan, and served as his living quarters. It resembles a medieval fortress. At times, the citadel was used as a prison. Today, it is a museum operated by Iran's Cultural Heritage Organization. Arg of Karim Khan is located at Shohada Square. It has a land area of 4,000 square meters and is in the center of a 12,800 square meter compound. The citadel of Karim Khan consists of four high walls connected by four 14 meter round brick towers at 90-degree angles. Each 12-meter wall is 3 meters thick at the base and 2.8 meters at the top. The design of the citadel combines military and residential architecture, for it was the home of Karim Khan and the military center of the dynasty. James Edward Alexander, in 1827, described the citadel as being surrounded by a "deep wet ditch". Arg of Karim Khan was built in 1180 AH (1766-7). Karim Khan invited the best architects and artists of the time and bought the best materials from other cities and abroad for the construction of the citadel of Karim Khan, 3

4 which was quickly constructed. Tile works depicting legendary tales were added at the entrance gate of the citadel during the Qajar dynasty. After the fall of the Qajar Dynasty it was converted into a prison and the paintings were plastered over. Tomb of Hafez The Tomb of Hafez and its associated memorial hall, the Hāfezieh, are two memorial structures erected in the northern edge of Shiraz, Iran, in memory of the celebrated Persian poet Hafez. The open pavilion structures are situated in the Musalla Gardens on the north bank of a seasonal river and house the marble tomb of Hafez. The present buildings, built in 1935 and designed by the French architect and archaeologist André Godard, are at the site of previous structures, the most well-known of which was built in The tomb, its gardens, and the surrounding memorials to other great figures are a focus of tourism in Shiraz. 4

Several rectangular pools have been added amongst the gardens, and well-maintained orange trees, paths, streams, and flower beds create a pleasant environment for the tourism hub of

5 Several rectangular pools have been added amongst the gardens, and well-maintained orange trees, paths, streams, and flower beds create a pleasant environment for the tourism hub of Hafez's tomb and memorial hall. A tea house on the grounds provides refreshments in a traditional setting. The dome over Hafez's grave is well lit at night, providing an attractive focal point. 5

6 Tomb of Saadi Saadi was buried in a village outside Shiraz which is now part of the city. Under Karimkhan-e Zand, the 18th century ruler of Shiraz, the present Saadi s mausoleum was built to further honor him. It is in the form of a multi-sided building with a cupola on top. From outside it may look like a square structure due to its flat facade decorated with Shirazi tiles depicting the tree of life in various colors. Inside, you can see the 8 corners of the building and a large lamp hanging from the ceiling. His grave is beautifully carved in Persian. 6

Later this building was connected to another tomb of a Shirazi poet, Shurideh Shirazi by a colonnade portico. Later, the mausoleum was restored and new parts were added.

7 Later this building was connected to another tomb of a Shirazi poet, Shurideh Shirazi by a colonnade portico. Later, the mausoleum was restored and new parts were added. The Mausoleum of Saadi is located inside a garden where beautiful flowers and several cypress trees are planted to make the setting even more beautiful. A fish pond in an underground pool is reached by some steps which lead visitors to some water channels that have been in use since the time of Saadi at this place. Recently, as more and more people come to this place to visit Saadi s Mausoleum and show their respect to the poet, the garden has been enlarged and can accommodate three times as many more visitors. The holy shrine of Shah-e-Cheragh 7

The most important pilgrimage center of the city of Shiraz is the Mausoleum of Mir Sayyed Ahmad, the son of the seventh Emam known as Shah-e-Cheragh (the Shrine of the lord of the light), which is

8 The most important pilgrimage center of the city of Shiraz is the Mausoleum of Mir Sayyed Ahmad, the son of the seventh Emam known as Shah-e-Cheragh (the Shrine of the lord of the light), which is situated near the Masjed-e-No. Mir Sayyed Ahmad came to Shiraz at the beginning of the third Islamic century, and died there. After the shrines of Imam Reza in Mashhad and Hazrat-e-Masoomah in Qum, the third most venerated pilgrimage destination in Iran is the shrine of Shah Cheragh in the city of Shiraz. There are many splendid Islamic monuments in Shiraz, especially its enormous Safavie mosque, but the most notable religious site is the shrine of Syed Amir Ahmad (also called Ahmad ibn Musa). The decorative work in a mosaic of mirror glass, the inscriptions in stucco, the ornamentation, the doors covered with panels of silver, the portico, and the wide courtyard are most attractive. The tomb, with its latticed railing, is in an alcove between the space beneath the dome and the mosque. And this custom of placing the tomb in 8

this position, so that it is not directly under the dome, is to be seen in other famous places of pilgrimage in the city of Shiraz, and may be considered a special feature of Shiraz shrines.

9 this position, so that it is not directly under the dome, is to be seen in other famous places of pilgrimage in the city of Shiraz, and may be considered a special feature of Shiraz shrines. Two short minarets, situated at each end of the columned portico, add impressiveness to the Mausoleum, and to the spacious courtyard, which surrounds it on three sides. The holy shrine of Sayyid Alā al-dīn Husayn 9

10 Another important pilgrimage center in the historical city of Shiraz is the mausoleum of Sayyid Husayn, another son of Imam Mūsā al-kādhim. This mausoleum is located near the south-east corner of Shiraz. The mausoleum itself is a tall building bearing a lofty dome. The original entrance was on the south side, approached by a small courtyard from the road that runs beside it. On the western side there is an area, more or less spacious, which was formerly a cemetery, but is now regarded as the western courtyard of the mausoleum. The mausoleum's interior consists of a tall sanctuary ornamented with designs in facets of mirror beneath the dome, and the tomb, as in the other places of pilgrimage in Shiraz, is situated in an alcove on the northern side, and there is a mosque adjacent to the sanctuary behind the railing of the tomb. 10

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Tomb of khwaju kermani Khaju tomb is located in north of Shiraz, on the hillside named Sabooy and the road connecting Shiraz to Isfahan in the narrow Allahu Akbar Gorge.

12 Tomb of khwaju kermani Khaju tomb is located in north of Shiraz, on the hillside named Sabooy and the road connecting Shiraz to Isfahan in the narrow Allahu Akbar Gorge. His grave overlooks the Qur'an Gate. The Roknabad famous spring water also passes near the tomb of Khaju. The tomb was built with funding from the department of culture of Fars in The tomb itself is located in an enclosure without a roof. Its headstone is in the middle of the platform with a convex top. There is not any inscription that represent the Khaju grave. 12

He was born in Kerman, Iran on 24 December 1290. His nickname Khwaju is a diminutive of the Persian word Khwaja which he used as his poetic penname.

13 He was born in Kerman, Iran on 24 December His nickname Khwaju is a diminutive of the Persian word Khwaja which he used as his poetic penname. He died around 1349 in Shiraz, Iran, and his tomb in Shiraz is a popular tourist attraction today. He also performed the Hajj in Mecca. He composed one of his best known works Homāy o Homāyun in Baghdad. Returning to Iranian lands in 1970, he strove to find a position as a court poet by dedicating poems to the rulers of his time. Vakil Mosque 13

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15 The Vakil Mosque is situated to the west of the Vakil Bazaar next to its entrance. This mosque was built between 1751 and 1773, during the Zand period; however, it was restored in the 19th century during the Qajar period. Vakil means regent, which was the title used by Karim Khan, the founder of Zand Dynasty. Shiraz was the seat of Karim Khan s government and he endowed many buildings, including this mosque. 15

16 The left and right corridors of the entrance gate are connected to the main room. Alongside the altar there is a 14-step tall platform made of green marbles where the speaker has to climb a number of stairs to reach the top to address the audience. On the inscription of the entrance gate there are Quranic verses engraved in Sols and Nosakh scripts. Its nocturnal area or Shabestan (night prayer hall) with an area of 2700 sq.m. contains 48 similar tall pillars of stone with a beautiful ceiling and a marble altar that is considered to be one of the master pieces of the Zandieh era. 16

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18 Eram Garden Eram Garden, Bagh-é Eram (Garden of Paradise) is a large garden with a wonderful palace. Its site is close to the embankment of the Kushk river and was formerly on the northwestern fringe of the city but is now well inside the greatly expanded urban area. The idyllic Eram Garden is a striking location for visitors with a variety of plants as well as a historic mansion. Although the exact date of the construction of the garden is not clear, historical evidence suggests it was constructed during the Seljuk Dynasty. The garden with its beautiful flowers, refreshing air, tall cypresses (a stately, beautiful cypress tree there known as sarv-e naz which is said to go back to 3000 years ago) and fragrant myrtles is a major tourist destination especially in Spring. The spring, which flows in the waterfronts, right in the middle of the building pours into ponds and grants Eram garden a great appeal. The cypress tree in this garden is quite famous. 18

19 Now a property of Shiraz University, it has been turned into a botanical garden and is open to the public as a museum. Delgosha Garden 19

20 This historic garden dates back to the Sassanid era. It enjoyed prominence during the reign of Safavid kings. It is located in northeast Shiraz. Renovated during the Qajar dynasty, the garden takes on a more beautiful appearance in Spring because of its blooming tangerine trees. It is in an orange grove near Boustan avenue, which leads to the tomb of Saadi. The orange trees are healthy and the central pavilion is fine. But much of the garden has been insensitively modernized with concrete paving and blue painted water channels. Some of the walks are lined with cypress trees. The walk leads to a residential home, standing in the center of the garden dating to the Qajar era. The building has a verandah supported by two monolithic pillars. Its facade is covered with glazed tiles and plaster moldings, its doors are fine examples of inlay work and mirror work, and there are some lovely paintings on wood with flower, shrub and bird designs. 20

21 Jahan Nama (Orrery) garden Jahan Nama Garden, situated near the tomb of towering Iranian poet Hafez, is one of the oldest gardens of Shiraz. This large walled garden has existed since at least the 13th century. During the rule of Teymur Gourkani, he paid special attention to this garden. The garden was also important during the rule of Safavid Dynasty. In fact, much of the present design may be of 18th century. The Garden was rebuilt by the order of Karim Khan-e Zand in 1771 AD. He renovated this garden and built a two-story building in it. The garden has been renovated in recent years by Shiraz Municipality. Inside the garden there is an octagonal manor like the Kolah Farangi edifice of Bagh-e Nazar (Nazar Garden). There are four alcoves with two-story rooms in every four corner of it. Inside the manor, there is an octagonal pool built from integrated marble with a stone fountain inside it. The painted ornaments inside the manor are very magnificent and valuable. 21

22 Afif-Abad Garden & Museum Afif-Abad or Golshan Garden has been built by Mirza Ali Mohammad Khan ghavam al-mulk. It s one of the most beautiful and historical gardens of Shiraz which is about m2. In the middle, there is a beautiful palace decorated with great tilling and stone columns similar to Persepolis. It s a collection of a traditional coffee house, a traditional treasury bath and Military museum. Its building has an area of 1700 square meters. This garden was very important in the Safavid era and was the recreational place of the king. The Afif Abad was called Baqe Golshan (the golshan garden) at that time. 22

23 Jame Atiq Mosque The ancient Jame Atiq Mosque of Shiraz is one of the oldest mosques in Iran. It used to have six portals in different directions and numerous magnificent Shabestans or prayer halls and chambers, some of which gradually fell into ruin and are no longer standing. Formerly the Sahn or the courtyard of the mosque was carpeted with marble, and there were stone basins in the vestibules wherein those entering the mosque would wash their feet before proceeding barefoot onto the courtyard. The most important portal of the mosque lies on the north side, and is known as The twelve Imams. Its piers and borders are of stone, and the rest is brickwork. Both sides of the portal are decorated with glazed mosaic tiles.the decoration consists of beautifully written verses from the Qur an and arabesque designs with flower-and-bird motifs. Between this portal and the entrance of the mosque, there is a vestibule, around which a number of blind arches can be seen.the ceiling of this section has been decorated with stalactites in a very interesting and appealing way, and is ornamented with Qur anic verses on all four sides. 23

Naranjistan e Qavam The Naranjistan of Shiraz is a garden and pavilion located in the center of Shiraz that was once part of a larger residential complex.

24 Naranjistan e Qavam The Naranjistan of Shiraz is a garden and pavilion located in the center of Shiraz that was once part of a larger residential complex. The residence belonged to the Qavam family, who built it between 1879 and The Naranjistan is composed as a walled rectangular garden with a pavilion at its northern most edge. This pavilion is the outer section of a larger residential complex, with the function of receiving guests and serving as a place for reception and celebration. The Naranjestan garden takes its name from the naranj (bitter orange) groves that it contains. It is a rectangular garden surrounded by perimeter walls on all sides except for the north, where the outer section spans the entire length of the edge. The garden has a formal organization with a water channel along its center, flanked on each side by plots of flowers and grass, walkways, and groves of trees. Entered from the street on the south, the organization of the garden is directed towards the main elevation of 24

the outer section. From the street, the entry vestibule splits into two separate entrances directed towards the two paths flanking the water channel. Flanking the vestibule are offices.

25 the outer section. From the street, the entry vestibule splits into two separate entrances directed towards the two paths flanking the water channel. Flanking the vestibule are offices. Each side is divided into three spaces that look out onto the garden. The organization is such that a visitor coming only to conduct business would not need to proceed further into the garden, which was intended for guests. Persepolis (Takht-e Jamshid) 25

Persepolis is situated 70 km northeast of Shiraz in the Fars Province in Iran. The earliest remains of Persepolis date from around 515 BC. It exemplifies the Achaemenid style of architecture.

26 Persepolis is situated 70 km northeast of Shiraz in the Fars Province in Iran. The earliest remains of Persepolis date from around 515 BC. It exemplifies the Achaemenid style of architecture. UNESCO declared the citadel of Persepolis a World Heritage Site in It is believed that it was Cyrus the Great who chose the site of Persepolis, but that it was Darius I who built the terrace and the palaces. Darius I ordered the construction of the Apadana and the Council Hall (Tripylon or the "Triple Gate"), as well as the main imperial Treasury and its surroundings. These were completed during the reign of his son, Xerxes I. Further construction of the buildings on the terrace continued until the downfall of the Achaemenid Empire. Some of the noteworthy monuments, palaces, halls and tombs include Gate of All Nations, The Apadana Palace, The Throne Hall, Tachara Palace, Zoomorphic griffin capital, Bull capital and the two completed graves behind the compound at Persepolis which probably belong to Artaxerxes II and Artaxerxes III. Pasargadae The tomb of Cyrus the Great 26

The most important monument in Pasargadae is the tomb of Cyrus the Great. It has six broad steps leading to the sepulcher, the chamber of which measures 3.17 m long by 2.11 m wide by 2.

27 The most important monument in Pasargadae is the tomb of Cyrus the Great. It has six broad steps leading to the sepulcher, the chamber of which measures 3.17 m long by 2.11 m wide by 2.11 m high and has a low and narrow entrance. Though there is no firm evidence identifying the tomb as that of Cyrus, Greek historians tell that Alexander III of Macedon believed it was. 27

28 Naqsh-e Rustam It is an ancient necropolis located about 12 km northwest of Persepolis. Four tombs belonging to Achaemenid kings are carved out of the rock face at a considerable height above the ground. The tombs are known locally as the 'Persian crosses', after the shape of the facades of the tombs. The entrance to each tomb is at the center of each cross, which opens into a small chamber where the king lay in a sarcophagus. The horizontal beam of each of the tomb's facades is believed to be a replica of the entrance of the palace at Persepolis. 28

Qur'an Gate It is located at the northeastern entrance of the city, on the way to Marvdasht and Isfahan, between Baba Kouhi and Chehel Maqam Mountains near Allah-O-Akbar Gorge.

29 Qur'an Gate It is located at the northeastern entrance of the city, on the way to Marvdasht and Isfahan, between Baba Kouhi and Chehel Maqam Mountains near Allah-O-Akbar Gorge. The Gate was first built during the reign of 'Adud ad-dawla. By the time of the Zand dynasty, it had sustained a lot of damage, so it was restored and a small room on top was added, in which were kept hand-written Qur āns by Sultan Ibrahim Bin Shahrukh Gurekani. The two Qur āns are known as Hifdah-Man. Travelers passing underneath the gates were believed to receive the blessing of the Holy Book as they began their trip from Shiraz. During the Qajar dynasty, the gate was damaged by multiple earthquakes; it was later restored by Mohammad Zaki Khan Nouri. In 1937 the two Qur āns were taken from the gate to the Pars Museum in Shiraz, where they remain today. In 1949 the arch of 29

30 the gate was restored by Hosein Igar, a merchant also known as E'temad Al-Tejar. Today the gates are part of a city park where people relax and picnic during their leisure hours. Souvenirs of Shiraz Handicrafts such as Khatam Kari (Inlaid/Marquetry Work), Monabbat Kari (Traditional wood carving), Noghre Kari (Silver carving), Gelim, Gabbeh, Carpet and rug weaving are the most prominent and famous souvenirs of Shiraz. Shiraz is also considered as a distillates city due to the existence of many gardens in and outside of the city. In addition to the flavor of distillates, they also have medicinal and therapeutic properties. The best distillates in the country are produced in Shiraz. The most important of these distillates include goat willow (bidemehsk), eglantine (Nastaran), earth smoke (shatareh), date palm (Tarooneh), chicory (Kasni), hawthorn (Kialak), cowslip (GavZaban), mint (Na ena) and citrus aurantium (BaharNaranj). Also the tangerine (sour orange) of Shiraz is well recognized. Rosewater from Meymand is another popular product of Fars and Shiraz. Some other noteworthy souvenirs from shiraz are: Shirazi Ice cream and Faloodeh Masghati &cookies from shiraz Lime Juice & Dates from Jahrom Figs from Estahban Sweet bread from Fassa Sesame bread & sesame butter Masghati sweet paste from Lar Haj badam almond cookies & Komaj sponge cake from Neyriz Oranges from Darab Light cotton summer shoes from Abadeh Pomegranate paste from Arsanjan 30

Listed in the last page Tehran 1nights, Ferdows 1 night,birjand 1night, Yazd 2nights, Isfahan 2nights

Details Name Code Duration Price Cities (O. N ) Desert With Barberry Test IR105 8 days Listed in the last page Tehran 1nights, Ferdows 1 night,birjand 1night, Yazd 2nights, Isfahan 2nights Day 1: ARRIVAL