Archive for category: Travel Blog

Iran is one of the most ancient countries located in the west south of Asia. Regarding its geographical position, Iran connects the East to the West. The long history and the vast area have led to amazingly variant climatic conditions, cultural attractions, and natural landscapes. That is why Iran is famous for being a destination for all four seasons. Enclosed with the Caspian Sea on the north and the Persian Gulf and Oman Sea on the south while the desert in between, Iran is a proper destination for all nature and adventure lovers who dream of different thrilling experiences of climbing, canyoning, skiing, marine activities, and safari. Embracing 22 UNESCO Heritage Sites and one UNESCO Natural Site as well as 13 Intangible Cultural Heritage registered on UNESCO and many more registered on Iran National Heritage List, Iran looks like a live museum for all enthusiast culture lovers too. It is also one of the best gastronomic destinations for all avid foodies. Travel to Iran at any time and enjoy the attractions and activities of your own favorite season. Stick with us read a complete Iran travel guide.

Iran’s Culture

Iran, as the cradle of one of the most ancient civilizations of the world, is proud of its thousands of year old historical, cultural, and architectural attractions, elegant gardens, pleasant food, and warm hospitable people. With 22 cultural heritage and one natural site inscribed on UNESCO World Heritage List, Iran offers a unique diversity of attractions in the world: from Lut Desert to the Persian gardens; the amazing city of Isfahan to the hand-dug rocky houses in Meymand, Kerman; the towering Mount Damavand covered in snow to Kish Island.
Iran, the country of wind catchers, Ab Anbar (water reservoir), Persian gardens, palaces, museums, caravanserais, bathhouses, bridges, mausoleums, castles, mosques, churches, monuments, bazaars, literature, science, history, poets, artists, kings, and scientists is a live museum of the culture, history, art, and architecture. Susa, Shushtar Hydraulic System, and chogha zanbil in Khuzestan as the birthplace of the Elamites, and Burnt City dating back to 3200 BC in Sistan and Baluchestan are among Iran cultural and heritage sites.
Long history, outstanding architecture, elegant gardens, delicious food, hospitable people, astonishing landscapes, and remarkable wildlife all represent Iran as a great destination to explore. The vast area of the country has led to an amazing great variety of cultures, traditions, customs, languages, and lifestyles. Moreover, it is situated in such a geographical location that you can see different kinds of climate in different parts of the country at the same time. Sitting on a critical spot and connecting west and east as a bridge, Iran has always been the center of attention for culture lovers. The unique cultural (as well as natural) features of Iran- as one of the oldest civilized places on the earth- attract many tourists from all around the world.

Nature

Iran embraces mountains, deserts, forests, caves, canyons, rivers, Geopark, and national parks. Since Iran covers a vast area, it takes advantage of various landscapes and different climatic conditions resulting in remarkable biodiversity. Therefore, it has the most inspiring places for adventure travelers from around the world. Rafting, hiking, biking, trekking, spelunking, caving, mountain biking, and canyoneering are all the adventurous activities you can enjoy in Iran.

Festivals

Different kinds of climate and the vast area of the country during long history have caused great diversity in language, custom, lifestyle, and handicrafts in different parts of the country. All this culminates in different festivals, rituals, events, and traditions in Iran. Nowruz known as the Persian New Year is one of the greatest Iranian festivals celebrated worldwide by Iranians and some other ethnolinguistic groups as the beginning of the New Year. Shab-e-Yalda (Yalda Night) is one of the most ancient Persian festivals annually celebrated on December 21 as the longest night of the year. Tasua and Ashura are respectively the 9th and 10th days of Muharram and Shia Muslims commemorate the battle of Karbala. Chaharshanbe Suri (the Persian Festival of Fire) is another Iranian festival celebrated on the eve of the last Wednesday before Nowruz, and Mehregan is the celebration of light, friendship, kindness, and love. It is also Thanksgiving Day for the Iranian farmers and it is celebrated in autumn.

Attractions

• Golestan palace dating back to Qajar dynasty located in Tehran
• Naghshe Jahan Square in Isfahan, built at the beginning of the 17th century
• Masjed-e-Jame of Isfahan
• Pasargadae and Persepolis dating back to the Achaemenid era located in Fars province
• The historic city of Yazd well-known as the mud-brick city of windcatchers
• Shushtar historical hydraulic system in Khuzestan province dating back to the 5th century B.C.
• chogha Zanbil in Khuzestan province dating back to the Elamite era

• The Armenian Monastic Ensembles of Iran located in the north-west of Iran consisting of the monastic ensembles: St. Thaddeus (Qara Kelisa), St. Stepanos, and the chapel of Dzordzor
• Tabriz Historic Bazaar Complex, the longest roofed bazaar in the world in East Azerbaijan province going back to the 12th century
• Sheikh Safi al-din Khānegāh and Shrine Ensemble in Ardabil dating back to the Safavid dynasty
• Soltaniyeh Dome, the largest brick dome in the world located in Zanjan
• Bisotun the biggest inscription in the world
• Takht-e Soleyman in West Azerbaijan province
• Persian Qanat a hydraulic water system including eleven qanats dating back to six thousand years ago

Persian garden

Susa The ancient city located in the south-west of Iran belonging to the different historical periods especially the Elamite, Persian, and Parthian periods
The Cultural Landscape of Meymand a cave village located in the south-eastern Iranian province of Kerman
Shahr-e Sukhteh or the burnt city in Sistan & Baluchistan province dating back to around 3200 BCE
Bam and its Cultural Landscape

Gonbad-e Qabus

Sassanid Archaeological Sights of Fars Region comprising eight archeological sites in three geographical parts Bishapur, Firouzabad, and Sarvestan in the southeast of Fars Province
Lut Desert or the Dasht-e Lut, a salt desert in Kerman and Sistan and Baluchestan provinces on the east and south-east of Iran
Hyrcanian Forests or the Caspian Forests covering the northern provinces of Iran

Safety in Iran

Is Iran a safe country to travel to?

Iran is a safe country for all people especially the families, only women, and solo female travels; Because Iran benefits from a rich culture comprising a combination of different religions, traditions, and beliefs that all emphasize morality, the high position of family as the pillar of a healthy society, and high respect for women. Iran is also one of the safest countries in comparison to other regional destinations. Iran with an extended diverse in culture and nature can offer a vast range of attractions and activities to both genders in different age groups.

The Best Time to Visit Iran

The vastness of the land has provided a diverse nature, from the humid forests on the north to the dry deserts in the central part, and the sub-tropical forests on the south. It has a variable climate too. One can see freezing winter with heavy snowfall in the northwest and mild spring-like weather in the south at the same time. It is possible to ski in the ski pistes in the Alborz and the Zagros Mountains, take a sunbath at the southern beaches and enjoy the desert safari tour all in one travel. It makes Iran a destination for all four seasons of the year. With more than 10,000 plants, 1,140 animals, and 500 bird species identified, Iran could be a great destination for nature and animal lovers. Hyrcanian forests of Iran dating back to the last stage of the ice age as a green biology library, Ali-Sadr Cave in Hamadan, Badab-e Soort travertine terraces in Mazandaran, Gandom Beryan known as the hottest place on Earth and Kaluts of Shahdad in Lut Desert, Nishapur mines of turquoise, Sarv-e-Abarqu as the second oldest species of tree in the world in Yazd, Shamkhal Canyon, Qeshm Island as the only Geopark in the Middle East, mangrove trees and Star Valley in Qeshm Island, mud volcanoes and the Iranian Short-Muzzle crocodile named Gando in Sistan and Baluchestan, the Asiatic Cheetah, the Iranian Ground Jay as the endemic to Iran, Fritillaria imperialis as the endemic flower of Iran known by the name inverted tulip among Iranians, and Narcissus flower listed as a national treasure of Iran are among its natural attractions. There are 26 national parks, 35 national natural sites, 42 wildlife sanctuaries, and 150 protected areas in Iran.

Weather and Climate

Traveling to Iran is always a good idea, at any season, to any location. We cannot agree on just one specific time to enjoy the glory and magnificence of Persepolis or to be fascinated by the dreamy blue tiles of Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque or the eye-catching ancient bridges in Isfahan.
But generally, Iran’s high season is from March to May when the weather is at its best throughout the country, and from late August to October when the weather is a bit warmer. In total, spring in Iran is the high season, summer and winter are low seasons, and fall is the shoulder season. But keep in mind that Iran with its vast area, ancient culture, and amazing diverse climatic conditions has many to offer all year round. Moreover, the low season is the best time to visit Iran’s cultural and natural attractions and communicate with locals without worrying about the crowds of tourists and travelers.

Where to Go in Spring?

From the Caspian shores in the north to the coast of the Persian Gulf and the sea of Oman in the south, Iran is at its best in spring but the unmissable places during your travel in Iran are Alborz and Zagros Mountains. Guilan, Mazandaran, and Golestan- the provinces on the coast of the Caspian Sea- and the north-west side of Iran are magnificent destinations for all seasons but they are at their best during spring.
The endemic plants of Iran such as inverted tulip, Susan-e Chelcheragh (only in the two Guilan and Azerbaijan provinces), and Persian ironwood in the forests of Caspian Sea shores, extracting the world’s finest rose water in Kashan, Citrus aurantium blossoms blooming in Shiraz, ancient Rudkhan castle sitting on a hill in green forests of Guilan, Dehdez village on the shores of Kroon River, deep canyons, gorgeous waterfalls, and soaring mountains are the breathtaking sceneries that you will enjoy throughout your tour to Iran in the spring season.

Where to Go in Summer?

Summer is a great time for traveling to the cooler regions of Iran on the northwest and west parts such as Azerbaijan provinces (eastern and western), Kermanshah, and Zanjan, as well as Fars province on south for remarkable expeditions in canyons, caves, and mountains. It is also a great time for summiting the top three peaks of Iran: Damavand, Alam Kuh, and Sabalan. Also, you can enjoy water rafting in the rivers of Zagros and Alborz Mountains. Hiking, climbing, rafting, biking, rock climbing, and canyoneering are some fun activities you can do in the ever-green Alborz Mountains. In fact, Alborz is a canyon-filled paradise for beginners and expert explorers.
Chakrood canyon in Gilan province, Mor and Kamjel canyons in Mazandaran province on Caspian shores, Raghez canyon in Fars province; Ali Sadr, Parau, and Ghoori Ghal’e castles (all in Kermanshah province); Arasbaran protected area situated on the north of Iran at the border to Armenia; Takht-e Soleyman in West Azerbaijan province (the UNESCO World Heritage Site), Bisotun in Kermanshah, Soltaniyeh Dome in Zanjan (the UNESCO World Heritage Site and the largest brick dome in the world), Tabriz traditional Bazaar (the UNESCO World Heritage Site and the biggest ancient covered bazaar in the world,); and Kandovan village (with ice-cream cone-shaped houses carved in the rocks) are just some of the cultural and natural attractions to experience a memorable summer adventure.

Where to Go in Fall?

Fall is the season that nature wears its most fascinating colored gown: the gold, red, orange, purple, brown, and green against a thin layer of grey clouds in the sky!
Hyrcanian forests of Iran in Alborz Mountains; Cloud Forest in Semnan province; the ancient province of Khuzestan in southwestern Iran as the birthplace to Elamites (2400 to 539 B.C.) embracing Chogha Zanbil ziggurat and Shushtar historical hydraulic system (both UNESCO world heritage sites); Bakhtiari, Lor, and Qashqai tribes who live on the foot of the generous Zagros Mountains in Khuzestan province; Yazd, the city of adobe houses and wind towers in the desert as the birthplace of Zoroastrian religion; Kerman province home to Bam Citadel, Kaluts of Shahdad in Lut desert (the only natural UNESCO Site of Iran), Roghe canyon, the cultural landscape of Maymand, and Shazdeh garden, are some destinations you can enjoy visiting when you travel to Iran in the fall.
Fall is the season of pomegranate, Mehregan celebration, and Yalda Night.

Where to Go in Winter?

Iran is renowned for its history, architecture, elegant gardens, scrumptious food, and hospitable people. With twenty-three UNESCO world heritage sites, it is one of the countries with the most tourist attractions in the world. Though Iran is not famous as a ski destination, it has thirteen international ski pistes with a long skiing season and good quality powder snow. If you travel to Iran in winter, you can visit the warm regions of the south of Iran such as Persian Gulf islands: Kish and Qeshm (both are free zone areas with no need of visa), and Sistan and Baluchestan province besides the ski pistes in cold regions covered with snow.
Winter is the only time you can go skiing in Alborz Mountains; also enjoy the sunny beaches of the Persian Gulf on the same day. In winter, you can see one of the most beautiful flowers in the world, the Behbahan Narcissus in Khuzestan province. Qeshm island embraces the only Geopark in the Middle East. Chabahar in Sistan & Baluchestan province is the only habitat of the Iranian Short-Muzzle crocodile that locals call it Gando. Shahr-i Sokhta, meaning the burnt city, is one of Iran’s UNESCO world heritages in this province. You can also visit Hara forests on both Qeshm island and Chabahar (things to do in Chabahar). Miankaleh peninsula, the only Iranian island in the Caspian Sea, hosts thousands of birds from Siberia and thousands of bird watchers who come from all parts of Iran to just get a glance of these lovely guests every winter.

Gastronomy

Iran as a large country embracing different ethnicities with different cultures is so diverse in culinary that every city enjoys a large variety of very delicious and tasty foods. Iranians love spices and a combination of different spices such as turmeric, saffron, black pepper, dried lemon, cumin, and so forth to give a savory smell to the foods and make them really delicious. Though Iranians use spices a lot, their foods are usually tasty but not necessarily spicy. Persian foods are a mixture of the most nutritious ingredients including meat, rice, vegetables, beans, and spices. Iranians love spices and a combination of different spices such as turmeric, saffron, black pepper, dried lemon, cumin, and so forth to give a savory smell to the foods and make them really delicious. Iranians mix all those ingredients in such a balance that they turn into a delicious and nutritious meal as a result. Kebabs, stews, and different kinds of rice (Chelow and Polo) such as Joojeh Kabab (chicken kebab) as the Iranian favorite picnic food, Gheymeh Nesar as a very delicious Persian jeweled rice with succulent pieces of lamb, Khoresh-e-Ghormeh Sabzi (Persian herb stew), Khoresh-e-Fesenjan (Persian pomegranate and walnut stew), Mirza Ghasemi as a vegetarian meal, and Baghali Ghatogh as an easy, healthy, and tasty dish are some of the most popular Iranian foods.

Iran Medical Tourism

Iran’s highly equipped hospitals and rehabilitation centers offer a wide range of state-of-the-art facilities and treatment with experienced expert medical teams at reasonable costs compared to the developed countries, southeastern Asian countries, and Iran’s regional competitors like the Persian Gulf States. Iran enjoys a unique combination of pleasant climate, splendid natural sceneries, relaxing villages, hot (mineral) springs and spas in different parts such as Sar’eyn in Ardabil, highly advanced medical centers and hospitals, up to date medical technology, suitable infrastructure, and well-equipped accommodations. There is also a hotel hospital in Tehran, the capital of Iran. Thousands of visitors from different countries travel to Iran annually for plastic surgery, heart surgery, eye surgery, stem cell treatment, organ transplants, artificial insemination, and other surgeries and medical treatments. Moreover, Iran offers high-quality medical care in rhinoplasty, cardiology, dentistry, rheumatology, nephrology, neurology, dermatology, gynecology, urology, orthopedics, otolaryngology, hematology, gastroenterology, and many other branches of medicine. It is also one of the top countries in biotech. Many private hospitals in cities like Tehran, Shiraz, and Mashhad provide accommodation facilities for the tourists too. Looking for a medical tour to Iran? click here.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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”.

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, 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.

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.

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.

 

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.

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.