Iran Doostan Tours Co. announced as the top 2nd Iran travel blog

Iran Doostan Tours Co. announced as the top 2nd Iran travel blog

/0 Comments/in /by
Iran Doostan Tours Co. is proud to be announced as the top 2nd Iran travel blog among the top 10 Iran travel blogs, websites, and newsletters to follow in 2018.

Recently, Feedspot displayed the best IranTravel Blog List from thousands of Middle East Travel Bloggers on the web according to search and social metrics. The blogs are ranked based on different criteria including Google reputation, Google search ranking, quality and consistency of posts, influence and popularity on Facebook, Twitter, and other social media, and finally, Feedspot’s editorial team and expert review.  It provides a comprehensive list of the best Iran Travel blogs on the internet and we- as the members of Iran Doostan Tours Co. – are very pleased to be successful to contribute to the world of tourism by introducing Iran in the best way possible.

It is about three decades that Iran Doostan Tours Co. has concentrated on inbound and outbound tours to Iran. It offers cultural, adventure, and business tours according to customers’ different interests. Our key to success is our ever caring about team working in Digital Marketing Department in order to deliver the best and most reliable information on various aspects of Iranian lifestyle such as nature, culture, festivals, history, clothing, foods, drinks, and many other relevant issues.

Iran Doostan Tours Co. announced as the top 2nd Iran travel blog

Iran Doostan Tours Co. announced as the top 2nd Iran travel blog

Naqsh-e Rustam

Naqsh-e Rostam Necropolis: Photos, Video, Info

/0 Comments/in , /by

Naqsh-e Rostam is an ancient necropolis situated northwest of Persepolis, the capital of the Achaemenid Empire. Naqsh-e Rustam (Naqsh-e Rostam) is an impressive reminder of the once glorious Achaemenid Persian Empire (c. 550–330 BC) and it stands as a magnificent manifestation of ancient Persian art. Naqsh-e Rostam is the house for the immense rock tombs cut high into the cliff. The rock tombs belong to four Achaemenian kings. The ancient tombs attracted Sasanian kings as well. They wished to imitate the glory of the Achaemenian kings; maybe that is why they created huge reliefs besides the tombs. The immense rock reliefs mainly depict the investiture scenes and the equestrian fights of the Sasanian kings. However, the history of Naqsh-e Rostam is not limited to the Achaemenid and Sassanid periods.

There is evidence that the site exists from the Elamite period.  An ancient rock relief dating back to the Elamite period indicates that Naqsh-e Rostam had been a sacred place during ancient times. That might be the reason Darius I ordered to carve his monumental tomb into the cliff at the foot of Mt. Hosain (Huseyn Kuh). His rock tomb is famous for its two inscriptions known as the king’s autobiography. The inscriptions indicate that Darius the Great had been the king who ruled according to justice. Travel to Iran and enjoy visiting so many great cultural attractions, especially the great ones registered on UNESCO World Heritage List or waiting to be registered. Pasargadae, Persepolis, Naqsh-e Rajab lies a few hundred meters from Naqsh-e Rustam, and Naqsh-e Rustam, the ancient necropolis of the powerful Persian kings are the best cultural attractions of Iran located in Shiraz, Fars province.

Achaemenid Tombs

Naqsh-e Rostam houses four rock tombs carved out of rock faces. Since the façades of the four Achaemenian tombs look like Persian crosses- chalipa- some call them Persian Crosses as well. The entrance to each tomb is located at the center of the cross and it leads to a small chamber where the king’s body lay in a sarcophagus. It is not clear whether the bodies were directly put into the sarcophaguses or the bodies were exposed to a tower of silence, and then the bones were put there. What is certain is that the tombs were closed after the burial, but the doors were smashed and the tombs were looted after the invasion of Alexander the Great in the 4th BC.

Naqsh-e Rustam

Naqsh-e Rustam, the Ancient Necropolis of Powerful Persian Kings

The four tombs cut high into the cliff belong to Achaemenid kings; however, only one of them is explicitly identified as it is accompanied by an inscription. The tomb belongs to Darius I who was the fourth Achaemenid emperor. There is a relief above his tomb and it depicts Darius I whose hands are raised for worship, he stands on a raised three- stepped platform in front of an altar, and the winged figure of Ahuramazda (the Zoroastrian god) is also at the center of the relief. The platform is supported by 28 throne bearers representing each of the kingdoms of the Achaemenid Empire. The other three rock tombs carry no inscriptions. Since the layout of the tombs is just copied from the tomb of Darius I, it is believed that they belong to his successors Xerxes I, Artaxerxes I, and Darius II. In 1923, the German archaeologist Ernst Herzfeld made casts of the inscriptions on the tomb of Darius I. Since 1946, the casts have been in the archives of the Freer Gallery of Art and the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery in Washington, DC.

Ancient Necropolis of Persia

Darius I standing on a platform in front of an altar and the winged figure of Ahuramazda

Ka’ba-ye Zartosht

In front of the rock tombs, there is a square tower known as the Ka’ba-ye Zartosht which means the Cube of Zoroaster (Ka’ba is the famous monument as a holy site for Muslims located in Mecca). The structure of the building is a copy of a sister building at Pasargadae known as the Prison of Solomon; however, this building is a few decades older than Ka’ba-ye Zartosht. On the wall of the tower, there is an inscription in three languages from Sasanian time and it is considered one of the most important inscriptions of that period. It is not obvious what the purpose of the building had been. It might have been a library for the holy books, a place to keep the holy fire, or maybe a treasury.

Naqsh-e Rustam

Ka’ba-ye Zartosht in front of the rock tombs at Naqsh-e Rustam

According to Persepolis fortification tablets, there must have been trees at Necropolis that apparently refer to Naqsh-e Rostam. The experts believe that there must have been three lines of trees in the area between the tower and the tombs; however, it has been a long time since the trees disappeared.

Sassanid Reliefs

Besides the tombs, there are seven oversized stone reliefs dating from the 3rd century AD.  The huge rock reliefs mainly belong to the Sassanid period and they depict scenes of imperial conquests and royal ceremonies. What is amazing about the reliefs is that they indicate details of events carved in the heart of rough rocks. Therefore, they can give the visitors a visual insight into the spirits of ancient times.

The most famous rock relief at Naqsh-e Rostam belongs to the Sasanian king Shapur I. The relief depicts his victory over two Roman emperors; Valerian and Philip the Arab. Shapur I is on the horseback, while Valerian is bowing to him and Philip the Arab is holding Shapur’s horse.

Ancient Necropolis of Powerful Persian Kings

Shapur I celebrates his victory over two Roman emperors; Valerian and Philip the Arab

The investiture relief of Ardashir I as the founder of the Sassanid Empire is also depicted. The relief indicates Ohrmazd giving Ardeshir the ring of kingship. The inscription also has the oldest use of the term “Iran”.

There are also equestrian reliefs such as the equestrian relief of Hormizd II at Naghsh-e Rustam. The relief depicts Hormozid and above the relief, one would see a badly damaged relief that apparently is depicting Shapur II with his courtiers.

The relief of Bahram II depicts the king with an oversized sword. On the left, five figures stand and they seem to be the members of the king’s family. On the right, three courtiers stand and one of them is apparently Kartir- a highly prominent Zoroastrian priest.

The Oldest Relief at Naqsh-e Rostam

The oldest relief at Naqsh-e Rostam dates back to approximately 1000 BC and it dates back to the Elamite period. Though the relief is severely damaged, it depicts a faint image of a man with unusual headgear. He is thought to be an Elamite one.

Why Is It Called Naqsh-e Rostam?

Sassanid reliefs mainly depict equestrian fights or investiture scenes. Since the equestrian fights of the Sasanian kings represent the tales of chivalry, locals believed that the man depicted on reliefs was Rustam, the hero of Shahnameh. The epic of Shahnameh is the masterpiece of Ferdowsi, the great Iranian poet of the 10th and 11th the century. Therefore, the site is called Naqsh-e Rustam (meaning the carvings of Rustam); because the locals believed that the carved man on the reliefs was their epic hero” Rustam”.

The Ancient Necropolis of Powerful Persian Kings

Locals believed that the carved man on the reliefs was their epic hero” Rustam”

To explore the awe-inspiring ancient site of Naqsh-e Rostam, the ancient necropolis of powerful Persian kings of the Achaemenid dynasty, travel to Iran- the country of ancient civilization and diverse cultures- and enjoy visiting its fantastic tourist sites and its friendly locals.

Are you planning to travel to Iran? Check out our Iran tours.

Fin Garden-Iran

Fin Garden in Kashan: Photos, Architecture, Plan, History

/0 Comments/in , /by

Fin Garden, also known as Bagh-e-Fin, in Kashan, is one of nine fascinating Persian gardens on the UNESCO world heritage list. Fin Garden is a historical garden and one of the most visited tourist attractions in Isfahan province. It attracts many tourists and travelers from around the world. This garden dates back to the 16th century when the Safavid dynasty ruled. Then it underwent some reconstruction in the late 19th century. It was highly recognized and expanded during the reign of Fat′h Ali Shah Qajar in the 19th century. The garden may date back to before the Safavid period; however, no valid document is available. During the reign of King Abbas I of Persia, the Persian garden was reconstructed into its current form. Travel to Iran and visit Fin Garden in Kashan to experience how it feels to step into heaven.

Fin Garden History

The plan of the Fin Garden is a kind of elaborated Chahar Bagh with a pavilion at the intersection. As a traditional Chahar Bagh with a large area of thousands of square meters, it is surrounded by trees, shrubs, water flows, and a high curtain wall with circular towers separating this oasis from the surrounding desert. Fin Garden is also famous for its historical tragedy. Amir Kabir was the chief minister to Naser al-Din Shah Qajar. He was one of the most innovative men in the Qajar period and was murdered in Fin Garden in 1852. Once registered as national property, Fin Garden became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Some believe that Ghiyāth al-Dīn Jamshīd Kāshānī, a Persian astronomer and mathematician, was the designer of the garden. On the other hand, some say it was the great art of Sheikh Bahaei, a Shia Islamic scholar, architect, mathematician, and poet who lived in the late 16th and early 17th centuries.

 A Heaven in Hiding

Fin Garden, a splendid sample of Persian gardens, exhibits a good combination of nature, culture, history, and architecture. All architectural elements are elaborately applied to make a masterpiece that absorbs eyes for a long time. Persian gardens mainly lie in the heart of deserts. Seeing such magnificent green places in hot and arid areas would keep travelers in awe.
The construction of the pavilion in the middle of the garden, along with two dynamic elements of trees and water, brings about the identity of this cultural and historical attraction. Water plays a vital role in the design of Fin Garden. The sound of the flowing water can truly ease one’s soul. To have a perfect day in Fin Garden, do not forget to visit Fin Garden tea-house near the source of the spring. There are many trees shading the water full of fish. Travel to Iran and enjoy exploring one of the most beautiful examples of Persian architecture. Stroll around and listen to the peaceful sound of running water and the whistling sound of leaves.

Fin Garden

The splendid decorations of Fin Garden, Kashan

Traditional Persian Fountain

Though the garden appears lush, it is surrounded by a desert landscape where water is scarce. However, the water runs through pools and canals with abundant beauty in the garden. The water is supplied from a spring that heads toward a pool behind the Persian garden. The height difference between the pool behind the Fin garden and the canals running through it make fountains throw the water upright by gravity. The water supply system is very sophisticated. There are clay pipes one meter beneath all the pools, and they connect to the main pools on one side and are blocked on the other.

Since the ends of the clay pipes are closed, the water flows out of the fountains. Since the ground is sloping and in order to divide the pressure, the pipes’ diameters have been built differently from each other. The pipe head is thicker than its end; therefore, water throws out of them with an equal amount. Twelve springs emerge from the main pool called Howz Joosh. Then it runs through canals ornamented with turquoise tiles. The eye-catching color of the tiles is in contrast with the color of the desert surrounding the garden.

Kashan Fin Garden

Fin Garden in Kashan is a great sample of Persian gardens.

Persian Howz Architecture

There is a fascinating pool in Fin Garden called Howz Joosh. It was once covered by tiles inspired by the design of Kashan carpets. Louvre Museum displays some looted tiles from the early Pahlavi period. Once the Britains attempted to restore the pool, but they failed to do so. Professor Pirnia- an Iranian architecture professor- also wanted to restore the Howz Joosh, but as he demolished one corner, he noticed clay pipes beneath each of the holes. Based on the calculations and pipe sizes, he decided he could not restore them and stopped manipulating them. Water flow not only cools the environment in hot seasons but also provides tranquility for humans through its soft sound.

Greenery of Fin Garden

As one of the most beautiful Persian gardens, the Fin Garden of Kashan contains many trees and shrubs. Several tall trees line its pathways. Compared to the hot desert surrounding the garden, the tall trees and abundance of water are a welcome contrast. There are hundreds of cypresses plus several plane trees in Fin Garden. Regarding the old age of trees, it seems that the evergreen trees of Fin Garden are mostly cypress trees while planting a few plane trees was considered to enhance the visual quality. Aside from that, the cypress is often represented as a symbol of beauty in the Persian language. The trees are approximately 100 to 470 years old. It embraces other flowers such as lilies, eglantine, jasmine, violets, and tulips. In constructing the garden, symmetry played an important role, but slowly sidewalks and buildings in the complex disrupted the harmony.

 

Kashan

The Qajar Kushk decorated with beautiful paintings on the ceiling

A Tragedy within Garden’s Beauty

Besides the small bathroom constructed in the Safavid period, Qajar architects built a large bathroom (Hamam). It was in the small bathroom that Amir Kabir was murdered in 1852. Amir Kabir served as the prime minister of Nasar al-din Shah, a ruler of the Qajar Dynasty from 1848 to 1851. He made significant changes, especially in the fields of education and administration. As a result of these actions, the prime minister became popular, but he provoked the anger of the royal family. Finally, Amir Kabir was dismissed by the king of Persia. His murder occurred later in the Fin Garden after he was imprisoned there. A tragic connection to the murder led to the garden’s disrepair until 1935 when they restored it as a national monument.

Fin garden in kashan

The plan of the Fin Garden is a kind of elaborated Chahar bagh

Similar to Narenjestan Garden and Eram Garden in Shiraz, Dowlatabad Garden in Yazd, and Shazdeh Garden in Kerman, Fin Garden is a masterpiece combining natural and artificial elements. The architectural structures represent both Safavid and Qajar styles. In the center of the garden stands the Safavid pavilion (Kushk), and at the end stands the Qajar pavilion (Kushk) with beautiful paintings on its walls. The small bathroom and Emarat-e-Sardar (an entrance building) belong to the Safavid period. There was also the Karim Khani Nook (Kalvat-e-Karimkhani), along with the national museum and the royal bathroom during the Qajar period. Kashan National Museum is worth a quick visit as well. It showcases some ceramics and calligraphy. However, the most exquisite highlight is the shah’s delightful shotor gelou, a two-story pool house in the middle of the complex.

Are you planning to travel to Iran? Please read Things to do in Kashan and Check out our Iran tours.

 

Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque

Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque, Isfahan: Photos, Architecture

/0 Comments/in , /by

Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque is one of the masterpieces of Iranian architecture. It was built by the prominent architect Sheikh Bahai in the early 17th century (from 1603 to 1619) under the order of Shah Abbas the Great- the 5th Safavid king. The starting date for the construction is visible on Reza Abbasi’s inscription on the main entrance. The mosque is located on the eastern side of Naqsh-e Jahan Square (UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the largest squares in the world 160 meters wide and 508 meters long) just opposite Ali Qapu Palace, Isfahan, Iran. Its northern side opens into the Isfahan Grand Bazaar. Visit the unique Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque When Traveling to Iran and enjoy its unique exquisite tile work.

Since the minarets have been used for the invitation of the public for saying prayers after Islam, this small private mosque- without any courtyard, minarets, and interior iwans- is believed to have been built for the women of the king’s harem. By Shah Abbas’s command, a tunnel was built from Ali Qapu Palace to the mosque, so that the females of the royal family did not have to walk across the square. They could reach the mosque without being seen in public. The guards protected the tunnel and the main entrance of the mosque and the doors were kept closed to avoid anyone to enter the building. The mosque was dedicated to Shah Abbas’s father-in-law, Sheikh Lutfallah, a revered Lebanese Islam scholar who died in 1622.

Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque

Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque on the eastern side of Naqsh-e Jahan Square

Architecture

Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque is founded on a square ground plan that turns into an octagonal form in the upper parts and finally transforms into a circle by means of the squinches. This rectangle-to-circle transition plan evokes Sassanid architecture. Despite its simple structure, this small mosque is very rich in tile work and calligraphy. Moreover, the amazing play of light and color – coming through sixteen lattice windows around the lower part of the dome- will astound the enthusiastic visitors. The façade built with marble is decorated with seven-colored mosaics (called haft-rang tiles in Persian). The calligraphy was supervised by Ali Reza Abbasi, the famous Iranian master of calligraphy.

Due to the difference between the direction of Qibla and the main entrance of the building, the architect Mohammad Reza Isfahani designed an L-shaped hallway connecting the entrance and the sanctuary of the mosque. The structure lies at a 45-degree angle against the Naghshe Jahan square eastern wall. As a result, the dome (that is 32 m high and 12 m in diameter) and the main entrance iwan do not fall on the same axis, unlike other mosques.

Sheikh Lotfollah

Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque, Isfahan, Iran

The tilework of the mosque is one of the best examples of Persian Islamic architecture. It is deliberately asymmetrical. This asymmetry is interpreted as a deliberate attempt to show the imperfection of human construction against the flawless creation of God. There are blue ceramic spirals inside the mosque that frame semi-vaulted corners and end in vases carved out of marble. The dome is ornamented with cream-colored glazed and unglazed tiles that colors change from cream to pink during the day. Around the dome is decorated with white, deep blue, and azure arabesques outlined in black, the Quranic inscriptions in white Thuluth writing on a dark blue background, and different names for Allah in white Kufic writing outlined in black and turquoise. It is reminiscent of Persian rugs.  The way the lemon-shaped medallions inside the dome grow in size from the apex toward the drum makes the dome look taller and larger. One of the unique and remarkable features of the dome is the peacock-like shape at the center of its interior side. There is a hole in the ceiling that the sun’s rays pass through it. At certain times of the day, if you stand at the entrance of the hall, the sun’s rays seem like the tail of the peacock.

Isfahan Iran

The peacock-like shape at the center of the interior side of the dome of Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque

The thick walls of the mosque are covered with blue, turquoise, white, and yellow tiles. The tiles are adorned with intricate arabesque patterns and floral motifs. The Quranic verses appear in different corners while the east and west walls are ornamented with Sheikh Bahai’s poems. The inscriptions mostly emphasize Shi’ism. It is understandable, especially regarding the date of the construction and the efforts made by the Safavid king to consolidate Twelver Shi’ism in Iran contrary to the Sunni Ottomans. There is no question that the mihrab of the mosque is one of the most spectacular examples of beauty and intricate detail. This semi-vaulted mihrab directly opposite the entrance is also decorated with moaragh mosaic, fine muqarnas, and delicate arabesque patterns. Its inner side is also elaborately ornamented with muqarnas and floral motifs. In contrast to the splendid decorations of the mosque, its basement, including 16 pillars, enjoys a simple decoration of mono-color square tiles and plaster.

Persian architecture

Muqarnas in Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque

Shaykh Lutfallah Mosque is one of the most magnificent attractions of Isfahan. It enjoys such unique architecture and decoration that is definitely worth visiting on the tours to Iran.

Are you planning to travel to Iran? Please read Things to do in Isfahan and Check out our Iran tours.