| Covering
an area of 76156sqKms,Yazd province is located in a
vast dry valley, 677Kms south of Tehran. Yazd has
dry and semi-dry climate with hot summers and cold
winters. In the past, without modern facilities, it
was only the clever architecture of the building
that enabled the people to tolerate the hot summer.
The ventilation structures called badgers were the
most important means by which the interior became
cool. These structures still can be seen in the
older part of the city. For this reason, Yazd was
(and still is) called the city of badgers.
GRAND
JAME’MOSQUE
Dating
back to the 11th
century, this mosque is an invaluable monument. It
has a magnificent portal and two lofty minarets. The
tile works of the altar and dome are fascinating.
Being an extraordinary blend of grandeur and finess,
this mosque is a treasure house of the Islamic
architure. Attached to the mosque there is a library
containing an exquisite collection of ancient
manuscripts.
COMPLEX
OF BAGH-E-DOULAT
Comprising
a large garden and some buildings, it is a famous
complex built in the original Iranian style, which
was watered by a qanat this same name. In the past,
it was the residence of the governor. The most
impressive part of the complex is a building with a
ventilation structure (badgir) on the roof and a
brook in the interior. The air passing through the
badgir was conducted to the Flowing water to cool
the interior. Being 33 meters high, this badgir is
an architectural triumph. Lattice doors and windows
covered with colored glass add a pleasing sight to
the building.
|
|
The
oldest neighborhood of Yazd is called Fahadan. Being
amidst the immense desert, the Mongols did not
capture this city, as a result of which many poets,
artistes and scholars immigrated to it. During this
period numerous schools, mosques and mausoleums were
built in Yazd. According to some historian Yazd was
founded by Yazdegerd1 (399-420 AD). The UNESCO has
recognized Yazd as a city having the second oldest
architecture all over the world.
MEYBOD
Located
50Kms northwest of Yazd , the railway south and the
main road of Tehran-Bandar Abbass pass through
Meybod.Having a dry hot climate, this town was
watered by qanat in the past. Today, however, deep
wells have replace qanat. In the west and the south
west of Meybod there are mountains covered with snow
in the winter the slopes of which have lush
vegetation. Meybod is a rare example of the ancient
Iranian cities. There are numerous historical
monuments in the town among which the following are
the most important: Narin Ghal’e (it is one of the
few ancient monuments built of mud bricks), mosque,
castles, caravansarai, shrines, mills, water
reservoirs and the religious center of Zoroastrians.
Each of these places, affording a picture of the
ancient Iranian architecture, attracts many
visitors. Since this district is abundant in clay,
pottery and ceramic industries are active.
HANDICRAFT
& SOUVENIRS
Handicraft
produced in Yazd province are various, some of which
are world famous including carpets with charming
patterns, pileless carpets, tirma (a kind of
cashmere), brodcaded silk, velvet, blankets,
bed-cloths, earthenware, engraving, glassware and
leather ware. Being delicate and beautiful, these
handicraft are suitable to be kept as souvenirs.
Yazd is also famous for its various sweets, the most
well known are Pashmak (cotton candy),
Baghlava and Ghotab.
|
