Archive for category: Travel Blog

The coronavirus left no chance to travel and this makes life in quarantine even more boring? Well, not so sure. There is a very old expression in the Persian language, claiming that “Isfahan includes the half worlds beauty”. let’s drop into Isfahan virtual tour and discover half of the world.

Naghshe Jahan Square

This gorgeous square has actually been the center of entertainment and gatherings of Shah Abbas I. Various rituals, celebrations, and performances were held during the reign of Shah Abbas I and his successors at the site. The surrounding monuments like the magnificent Ali Qapo Palace, the Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque, and the Abbasi Grand Mosque, each of which is a magnificent Safavid-era architecture. Let’s take a tour of Naghshe Jahan Square.

Naghsh_E Jahan Square, Isfahan – Iran

Vank Cathedral

During the Safavid period and during the Ottoman conflict, Shah Abbas attacked the Armenian-populated city of Jolfa and caused a lot of damage. To compensate for the loss, he asked the Armenians living in Jolfa to migrate to Isfahan and build a neighborhood named after their origin city, Jolfa, with their architecture and cultural requirements. Vank Cathedral is a place of worship for Armenian Christians living in the Jolfa neighborhood, which is also influenced by Islamic architecture. Not so far to visit all these beauties, This cathedral is ornamented by various forms of art from which the most significant ones are the delicate blue and gilded paintings on the ceiling and central dome depicting the Biblical story of the tion of the world. Click on the Vank Cathedral and start the virtual tour.

Vank Cathedral, in Isafan city, Jolfa district

Chehel Sotoun

Chehel Soton Palace and Garden is one of the examples of royal gardens leftover from the Safavid period in Isfahan, which is also known as Chehelston Palace or Chehel Soton Museum Garden. In fact, this garden is a small part of the vast Jahan Nama garden that Shah Abbas I created by building a pavilion in the core of the first Chehelsotun palace and was designed in such a way that it was possible to access it from other gardens. Click for a virtual tour to Chehel sotun.

Chehel Soton Palace and Garden

Siosepol Bridge

Siosepol or literally translated as “Thirty-three bridges” over the Zayandeh rud River in Isfahan, has named after its 33 spans. During the Safavid period, the Armenian sprinkler festival was held on July 4 of each year on this bridge, and people sprinkled water and rose extract on each other during the ceremony. In our days,  youth gather together to play instruments and sing there and couples set the dates on this bridge.

Siosepol bridge, over Zayanderood river

Ali Qapu Palace

Just clicking on Ali Qapu palace takes you to the old entrance of the palace on the western side of the Naghsh_E Jahan square. Upon entering the complex, you will see symmetrical buildings on both sides. It is interesting to know that if you whisper in any of these spaces, your voice will be played in the symmetrical Part of the monument. Ali Qapu was built right after the transfer of the capital from Qazvin to Isfahan by Shah Abbas I, in the late tenth century AH, it was built as the reigning center of the Safavid sultans. Tracking the direction of the arrow each time takes you up the stairs and into some rooms. After passing through a few rooms (don’t forget to take a look at the beautiful designs of the stairs under your feet) you will reach the porch. which is a big one, on the third floor, overlooking the Square in a beautiful and also controlling way, suitable for a king, isn’t it?

The roof of Music Hall in Ali Qapu.

Sheykh Lotfollah mosque

Right in front of the magnificent AliQapu Palace, is the astounding Mosque of Sheykh Lotfollah. Not identical to other mosques, this royal mosque has no courtyard porch or minaret and instead is decorated with the most unique Islamic motifs.

The well-known dome of the Sheykh Lotfollah mosque

The corridor leading from the entrance to the nave is relatively high compared to the usual corridors. This is to keep the worshiper away from the hustle and bustle of the main square of the city and to guide him to the main path of the Qibla. Got out of the hallway, across the pulpit, and reaching the main hall, just turn the mouse up because the most beautiful dome decorations are waiting for you. We would welcome any inquiry you may have about traveling to Iran, please do not hesitate to contact us at info@idt.ir.

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Quarantine is often an unpleasant experience for those who are crazy about traveling and discovering the world. Fortunately, there is no limitation in the internet world. Well, don’t worry! You can now take tours of Shiraz “virtually”, right here on the Irandoostan website. We would welcome any inquiry you may have about traveling to Iran, please do not hesitate to contact us at info@idt.ir.

Quran gate

By clicking on the Quran Gate, and passing under the entrance of Shiraz, you will be protected from calamities! Yes, that actually is an Iranian old belief that passing under the Quran keeps you away from disasters. That’s why Shirazian placed two exquisite Quran in the small room above the large entrance arch of their city to protect themselves and every newcomer. Follow the arrows to rich in this magical room.

Shiraz virtual tour – Quran gate of Shiraz

 Persepolis

Take your VR goggles, we are going to walk in the center of the great Persian Empire in the Achaemenid era: The Persepolis. The tour begins at the gate of all nations or Xerxes gate which is decorated with two sphinges having the head of the human and the body of a cow. The name of this palace is derived from the law of entry into Persepolis so that the representatives of all the tribes under the reign of Iran first entered there and then went to the palaces. The next arrow will lead to Apadana, the hall of celebration, or the levee, built by Darius and completed by his son Xerxes the great (Khashayar Shah). In the southwestern part of the Apadana Palace in Persepolis, there is a building known as the Tachara Palace or the private palace of Darius. The polished gray stones gave the palace a mirrored look. That’s why some called this building the Palace of Mirrors.

The two guard sphinx, with the head of the human on the cow body.

Nasir al-mulk mosque

Walking in the Nasirolmolk mosque would be like tiptoeing in the lovemaking of light and colorful glass. Just try it and enter the most astonishing mosque ever. Nasir al-mulk mosque is famous for its exquisite colored tiling and wonderful stained glass of the winter prayer hall. Such a pity that you can take any picture of you in thisrainb0w light, but go with all eyes.

Nasirolmolk or pink mosque in Shiraz.

Qavam orangery

Qavam orangery or Narenjestan_E Ghavam is a historic house with a great garden famous for its orange blossom odor in spring. The Qavam house was built in the 19th century during the Qajar period. The link will get you to the garden, passing by orange trees in a Persian garden, you will reach the big traditional house, decorated with ” Gol o Morgh” paintings and colorful windows. Enjoy it.

Ghavam orangery also known as Narenjestan_E Ghavam is a good example of the Persian garden.

Arg-EKarimkhan

The citadel of Karimkhan or Arg_e Karimkhan, as its name suggests, was built during the reign of Karim Khan Zand, a king who considered himself not only the king but also the people’s advocate, and made many improvements in the city of Shiraz, the capital of his reign. The advocate of people was no exception from being jaloused to Shah Abbas for his royal complex (Naghshe Jahan square) and has built the citadel to have such a great complex.  Arg was used to be the main residential palace of Karim Khan-e-Zand and his dynasty in Shiraz.

The citadel of Karimkhan dates back to the Zandieh era.

Vakil bath

Took a long trip? Need a refresh? well, how about drifting in Vakil bath. The first click takes you to the main hall or Sarbineh. where people used to meet and greet, drink tea and start taking off clothes and little by little get ready for the formalities of the long bath. This historic bath, as the namesake Bazar and complex, belong to the Safavid era.

Vakil bath was used as a public Hamam in the Zandieh period.

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