Hafez

The Tomb of Hafez and its associated memorial hall, the Hāfezieh, are two memorial structures erected in the northern edge of Shiraz, Iran, in memory of the celebrated Persian poet Hafez. The open pavilion structures are situated in the Musalla Gardens on the north bank of a seasonal river and house the marble tomb of Hafez. The present buildings, built in 1935 and designed by the French architect and archaeologist André Godard, are at the site of previous structures, the most well-known of which was built in 1773. The tomb, its gardens, and the surrounding memorials to other great figures are a focus of tourism in Shiraz

Present structure

Activities to restore and expand the memorial to Hafez began in 1931, when the orange grove was repaired and the Hāfezieh was altered by a governor of Fars and Isfahan, Faraj-Allāh Bahrāmi Dabir-e Aʿẓam. Additional improvements were delayed until the Ministry of Education organised for a new building to be built, in 1935. André Godard, a French archaeologist and architect, was the technical director of the Department of Antiquities at the time, and was commissioned to design the new buildings.^[2]

Alterations to Hafez's tomb involved elevating it one metre above ground level and encircling it with five steps. Eight columns, each ten metres tall, support a copper dome in the shape of a dervish's hat. The underside of the dome is an arabesque and colourful mosaic.^[2]

The original, four-columned memorial hall built in 1773 by Karim Khan Zand was extensively expanded. Sixteen pillars were added to the four original, creating a long verandah, and on several façades are engraved ghazals and other excerpts from Hafez's poetry.^[2]

Gardens and tourism

Several rectangular pools have been added amongst the gardens, and well-maintained orange trees, paths, streams, and flower beds create a pleasant environment for the tourism hub of Hafez's tomb and memorial hall.^[2][3] A tea house on the grounds provides refreshments in a traditional setting.^[2][4] The dome over Hafez's grave is well-lit at night, providing an attractive focal point.^[5] The former tomb of Qāsem Khan Wāli is now a library containing 10,000 volumes dedicated to Hafez scholarship.^[2]

mosques

Old Mosques, Fars

 

Atiq Jame Mosque, Shiraz 

This mosque was built in celebration of the conquest of Shiraz by Saffarid Amroleiss in the year 276 A.H. and was completed in 281 A.H. It has been restored many times. The height of the building and its various nocturnal areas (Shabestans) with beautiful tile work on the ceilings, gives a unique charm to this place.

 

Nasirol Molk Mosque, Shiraz 

This mosque is situated at the end of the Lotfali Khan-e-Zand Street. Nasirol Molk, who was one of the elites of Shiraz, is the founder of this mosque. This mosque is unique for its tile work and architecture. The construction work of mosque began in 1293 A.H. and was finally terminated in 1305 A.H., by Muhammad Hassan Me'mar and Muhammad Reza Kashi Paz Shirazi.

 

Noe (Shohada) Mosque, Shiraz 

In the old times it was called the Atabak Mosque. Its construction work began in 598 A.H. by Atabak Sa'd-ebne-Zangi and was completed in 615 A.H. This very large mosque has a ceiling that is 40 m. high and 25 m. wide supported by 12 lower sections. Its building has been recently restored.

 

Vakil Mosque, Shiraz 

It is one of the most valuable monuments dating back to Zandieh period. Its construction was completed in 1773 A.D. The said premise with an area of 3600 Sq.m. has been furnished with large stones. Its nocturnal area or Shabestan (night prayer hall) with an area of 2700 sq.m. Contains 48 similar tall pillars of stone with a beautiful ceiling and a marble altar that is considered to be one of the master pieces of the Zandieh era.

 

Other Old Mosques, Fars 

Other old mosques of the province include: The Nayreez Jame Mosque, Darab Jame and the Sangi Mosque. 

Jahan Nama

Jahan - nama village

Not all villages in different parts of Iran are permanently residential. Some of them play the role summerhouses for residents of near cities, and therefore are left during autumn and winter. Jahan-nama village is one such village. This village is 60 km south east of the city of Kordkuy, 85 km away from Gorgan, and is on the skirts of a mountain with the same name. Jahan-nama Mountain has its peak with the altitude of 3086 meters above sea level. Jahan-nama village enjoys moderate summers but cold winters. The low temperature and snowing during fall and winter make the people leave the village. However, as mentioned before, people of Gorgan and Kordkuy summer in this village during the two seasons of spring and summer. Therefore, during these two seasons, Jahan-nama not only hosts native villagers but many tourists and guests as well.

Due to its natural condition, special weather, and being situated in Jahan-nama protected zone, this village has magnificent landscapes and exquisite sceneries. Mountain heights, springs, rivers, and forests have given the region unique beauty, especially during springs and summers.

Regarding natural wild life, the village and the regions in its vicinity are one of the significant regions in Iran. Mammals like chamois, goat, ram, leopard, bear, wolf, weasel, and jackal, besides some invaluable species of such birds as partridge, eagle, and osprey constitute the fauna of the region.

The flora of the region relies greatly on the main rivers namely Chaharbaaq, Maqzi, Torkat, and also numerous springs such as Shahpasand, Torkat, Maqzi, Maarsang, Morad-cheshmeh, Haaji-abad, and the like. Jahan-nama region is covered with different types of pasture plants, medicinal plants, meadows, shrubberies, and species of beech, sagebrush, borage, and so on.

The existence of rich meadows has led to thriving animal husbandry in Jahan-nama village, and as a result, various products such as milk, butter, wool, and meat are produced and processed in the village. Some parts of Jahan-nama village farms are cultivated in spring and summer, and among major agricultural products mention can be made of wheat, potato, and vegetables.

House construction in the village has been seriously impacted by the inhabitants' activities and their life style. Thus, most houses are built in the same style as the villas in the country sides, and have a suitable space of resting for the guests during spring and summer. Jahan-nama has a sparse residential texture whose houses are usually made of wood, and their roofs are covered with galvanized sheets to form gable roofs. However, old buildings are made of clay, brick, and wood. This village is accessible via a road coming from the two cities of Gorgan and Kordkuy.

Of the old and historical monuments of Jahan-nama region, mention can be made of the ancient cemetery of Kamar-sarak, the mausoleum of Imamzadeh Razi-o Marzieh, and the tower of Radakan-e Gharbi. Residents of this village speak in the two Mazandarani and Katuli dialects and are Shiite Muslims..

Shiraz

Shiraz ( listen (help·info) Persian: شیراز Persian pronunciation: [ʃiːˈrɒːz]) is the sixth most populous city inIran and is the capital of Fars Province. Shiraz is located in the southwest of Iran on the Rudkhaneye Khoshk seasonal river. Shiraz has a moderate climate and has been a regional trade center for more than one thousand years.

The earliest reference to the city, as Tiraziš, is on Elamite clay tablets dated to 2000 BC.^[6] In the 13th century, Shiraz became a leading center of the arts and letters, thanks to the encouragement of its ruler and the presence of many Persian scholars and artists. Shiraz was the capital of Persia during the Zand dynasty from 1750 until 1781, as well as briefly during the Saffarid period.

Shiraz is known as the city of poets, wine and flowers.^[7] The word "shir" in Persian means "lion", but it could also mean "milk". It is also considered by many Iranians to be the city of gardens, due to the many gardens and fruit trees that can be seen in the city. Shiraz has had major Jewish and Christian communities. The crafts of Shiraz consist of inlaid mosaic work of triangular design; silver-ware; pile carpet-weaving and weaving of kilim, called gilim and jajim in the villages and among the tribes.^[8] In Shiraz industries such as cement production, sugar, fertilizers, textile products, wood products, metalwork and rugs dominate.^[9] Shirāz also has a major oil refinery and is also a major center for Iran's electronic industries: 53% of Iran's electronic investment has been centered in Shiraz.^[10] Shiraz is home to Iran's first solar power plant.^[11]