The Royal Takht-e Soleyman Very long before any of us even existed today the magnificent archeological ensemble, Takht-e Soleyman, was built in the valley of a volcano some 2,600 years ago by the Persian Sasanian rulers. The mysterious ensemble holds a very big spiritual significance, dedicated to water and fire. The volcano’s valley has a...
Translating to ‘bottom-spread’ this is an extremely delicious and very Persian dish. It is basically saffron rice that has been cooked with a hint of yogurt (which makes the rice stick together). Usually served in pieces (like a cake), it is crispy golden-brown on top and soft and fluffy on the bottom. Just under the...
The Sacred Chak Chak Fire Temple Filled with mystery and wonder, tourists and pilgrims travel the mountainous desert lands of central Iran in quest of visiting the sacred Chak Chak Fire Temple, also known as Pir-e Sabz (The Green Pir). The most sacred Zoroastrian mountain-shrine sits elegantly right beneath a towering cliff face in the...
The Antiquated Jameh Mosque of Yazd For nearly a thousand years, the residents of Yazd’s Muslim community have gathered at this beautiful holy-place of worship, Jameh Mosque (Masjed Jameh), to participate in the collective Friday-prayer ritual. Historians say that this mosque was originally constructed in place of the old Sassanid Fire Temple in the 12th...
The Silk Route’s Historic Bazaar of Tabriz Complex Stepping into the biggest covered bazaar in the world and one of the oldest and most notable in the Middle East, the Bazaar of Tabriz generously reveals its antiquated roots and history to curious travellers and visitors. Being a hotspot for trade and commerce since the Iron...
Iranian-Armenians, sometimes called Persian-Armenians, are Iranian citizens who are ethnically Armenian. They are mostly concentrated in Tehran, Tabriz and Jolfa district, Isfahan, and an estimated 120,000 – 150,000 currently reside in Iran. The Iranian-Armenians were very influential and active in the modernization of Iran during the 19th and 20th centuries. After the Iranian Revolution, many...
Chahkooh Valley: The Natural Wonder On beautiful Qeshm Island southern Iran, an awe-inspiring cross-shaped valley, ‘Chahkooh’, draws the attention of travellers and tourists from all around the globe and country, in the heart of a sandstone and limestone mountain. Chahkooh Valley is referred to as ‘Tangeye Chahkooh’ and Chahkooh, itself, translates to ‘Well Mountain’ in...
The Ancient and Sacred Yazd Atashkadeh For nearly 2,000 years, it has been the strong Zoroastrian’s faith which has kept the sacred fire of the Yazd Atashkadeh (Fire Temple) or Atash Behram consistently alight through the ages in Iran. Attracting travellers and tourists from the farthest distance, this temple is one of nine Atash Behrams....
The Majestic Bagh-e Dolat Abad Wandering through the desert-city of Yazd, it’s not unlikely for the heat to make one start wishing-for or even hallucinating on stumbling into a miraculous oasis of some sort, however Bagh-e Dolat Abad is certainly no hallucination. Built in 1747 and also known as Dolat Abad Garden, this lush eight...
The Spectacular Alluring Amir Chaqmaq Complex Passing by the three bronze old men by the fountain, through Amir Chaqmaq Square, visitors to the Amir Chaqmaq Complex can’t help but get gently drawn-in towards the fantastic array of sunken arched alcoves. The near 600 year-old complex, built circa 15th century by Jalal-al-Din Amir Chaqmaq, is a...