Darius' Travel Blog: November 2006

Saturday, November 25, 2006

Some of the most impressive surviving architecture from the Qajar era can be found in Kashan. Most of the traditional houses from that time have been destroyed but a few have been restored.

Khan-E Borujerde (Traditional House)

Khan-E Ameriha (Traditional House)

Fin Gardens

Old City Walls

An old Bathhouse that has been converted to a Teahouse

Friday, November 24, 2006

Esfahan is considered one of the finest cities in the Islamic world because of its exquisite blue tiles on its Islamic buildings, its expansive bazar, and its gorgeous bridges. Also popular are its teahouses, where locals drink tea and enjoy a qalyan (waterpipe).

Imam Square

Imam Mosque

Jameh Mosque

Khaju Bridge

Traditional Teahouse

Tuesday, November 21, 2006

Yazd is an ancient desert city that is home to Iran's largest community of Zoroastrians. It is also famous for its badgirs, an ancient system of windtowers used as natural air-conditioning.

Over the roofs of Yazd

Amir Chakhmap Complex

Jameh Mosque

Zoroastrian Tower of Silence

Badgirs - the local air-condition

Sunday, November 19, 2006

Persepolis is considered one of the world's greatest ancient sites and the monumental staircases, reliefs, immense columns and impressive gateways are evidence of the greatest success of the Achaemenid Empire. Work on Persepolis began by Darius the Great in about 518 BC.

Aerial view of Persepolis

Xerxes' Palace

Apadana Staircase

Apadana Palace

Palace of Darius the Great

Saturday, November 18, 2006

Shiraz in southern Iran is celebrated as the heartland of Iranian culture. It is most famous for its poetry (Hafez and Sa'di were both from Shiraz and are buried here), roses, and wine (its once famous vineyards gave the world the Shiraz grape).

Citadel of Karim Khan

Quran Gateway

Tomb of Hafez

Bazar-E Vakil

Mausoleum of Shah-E Sheragh

Tuesday, November 14, 2006

Qom is Iran's second holiest city (after Mashhad) and the place where the revolution started in 1979. It is also the place where Islamic scholars and students from across the world come to study.

Hazrat-E Masumeh Shrine

Iman Khomeini Mausoleum

Memorial for victims of the Iran Iraq war

A Persian Cemetary

Friday, November 10, 2006

Greetings from Iran! This part of my trip will be a little different: I haven't been here in 23 years so my main objective is to reconnect with my dad's side of the family. I still hope to get a little bit of sightseeing done and I started off in Tehran, the capital of Iran.