Driving from Bandar e Pol to Shiraz
Overnight camping, on the side of main road..
Vakil Mosque
The Vakil Mosque is a mosque in Shiraz. Vakil means regent, which was the title used by Karim Khan, the founder of Zand Dynasty. Shiraz was the seat of Karim Khan’s government and he endowed many buildings, including this mosque. This mosque was built between 1751 and 1773, however, it was restored in the 19th century during the Qajar period.
Nasir al-Mulk Mosque
The Nasir al-Mulk Mosque (also known as the Pink Mosque - Masjed-i Surati), is a traditional mosque in Shiraz, it was built under the Qajar Persia.
The mosque includes extensive colored glass in its facade, and displays other traditional elements such as the Panj Kāse("five concaved") design.
Naranjestan Museum
The Qavam "Naranjestan" preserves the elegance and refinement enjoyed by the upper-class families during the 19th century. The paintings on the low ceilings of the house are inspired by Victorian era Europe. The mirrored porch was a focal point of the house, overlooking a small garden that was designed with fountains, date palms, and flowering plants.
Tomb of Hafez
The Tomb of Hafez and its associated memorial hall, the Hāfezieh, are two memorial structures erected in the northern edge of Shiraz, in memory of the celebrated Persian poet 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 best-known of which was built in 1773.
Khwāja Shams-ud-Dīn Muḥammad Ḥāfeẓ-e Shīrāzī, (1315-1390) known by his pen name Hafez, was a Persian poet who "lauded the joys of love and wine but also targeted religious hypocrisy. His collected works are regarded as a pinnacle of Persian literature and are often found in the homes of people in the Persian speaking world, who learn his poems by heart and still use them as proverbs and sayings.
Karim Khan Castle
The Karim Khan Castle is a citadel located in downtown Shiraz. It was built as part of a complex during the Zand dynasty and is named after Karim Khan, and served as his living quarters. In shape it resembles a medieval fortress.
At times, the citadel was used as a prison. Today, it is a museum operated by Iran's Cultural Heritage Organization.
Quor'an gate
Qur'an Gate is a historic gate in the north of Shiraz. It is located at the northeastern entrance of the city, on the way to Marvdasht and Isfahan.
Vakil Bazaar
Vakil Bazaar is the main bazaar of Shiraz, located in the historical center of the city.
It is thought that the market originally was established by the Buwayhids in the 11th century AD, and was completed mainly by the Atabaks of Fars, and was renamed after Karim Khan Zand only in the 18th century.
The bazaar has beautiful courtyards, caravansarais, bath houses, and old shops which are deemed among the best places in Shiraz to buy all kinds of Persian rugs, spices, copper handicrafts and antiques.
Like other Middle Eastern bazaars, there are a few mosques and Imamzadehs constructed beside or behind the bazaar.
Meandering through the town center
Next blog : Persepolis & Hormuz island is here