Mil (Minaret) Khosrogerd

Photo from Trekearth

I took this photo while we were travelling to Tehran

Khosrogerd minaret is a brick made structure erected on the side of the Nishabur –ray road and today lies in a short distance from Sabzevar –Tehran road (near to Mashhad) the minaret is believed to heve also served as a guide to the travelers because it can be seen from a very long distance. Archaeological studies conducted so far suggest that this monument used to signs of any architectural structures have been uncovered in the course of excavations in the suburbs of the structure .
Khosrogerd minaret s manuscript clearly states that the structure was built in 505A.H and today serves to symbolize the architectural style of its time .it has been made of brick while the facade has been ornamented with molded and finely cut exterior bricks that appear in a variety of shapes and styles .the minaret fortunately has remained intact through years and is considered as a valuable architectural work of Khorasan province which has been registered as a national historical heritage that has undergone frequent repair works by Khorasan cultural heritage organization .

Side Trip to Tehran

Azadi Tower that is located in Azadi Square, Tehran

This is the symbol of Tehran City

Guys,
Now I am here in Mashhad. I had a nice trip to Tehran. Soon you can see all my photographs from Tehran in a different photo blog.
Thank you for your visits, comment and congrats during my absence. Happy Nowruz to you, too!

Around Iran # 6 : Eram Garden

Eram Garden or Garden of Paradise is a large garden with a wonderful looking palace in it that is located in Fars province-Shiraz city.This is Built in the Qajar era, the compound was used by the feudal elite and tribal leaders of Fars Province, and later used by the royalty of Iran.
The compound came under the protection of Pahlavi University during the Pahlavi era, and was used as the College of Law.
It is today still a property of Shiraz University, and is open to the public as a museum, protected by Iran's Cultural Heritage Organization.

(Text from Wikipedia)

In depth of Persian Gulf II

A dreamy sense!

Ebrahim was picking up some marine cucumber :D



Diving is finished.Good Job Ebrahim!
Thank you for photos!

In depth of Persian Gulf I

These photos are taken by my aunt's husband “Ebrahim” who is a marine biologist and a professional diver.When I saw them I really wondered that how mysterious is the under water's world and how much beautiful the Persian Gulf is!

Ebrahim

I will post more photos tomorrow.Just come back to see!

Around Iran # 5 : Abyaneh Village

Abyaneh is one of the well known villages in Esfahan province, in addition to which it boasts of a pleasant climate. The same is located in the northwestern slopes of the Karkas Mountains and at a distance of 28 km. from the city of Natanz. The architectural facet in this village along with the rituals and apparel of its inhabitants is a sight to witness. The Jame' mosque of this vicinity with its historical wooden altar dating to 776 AH, and its wooden pulpit dating to 466 AH. and an inscription in the 'kufi' script is greatly valued both as a historical and religious monument.

Sunshade or "Saabaat" in Farsi

Women in the traditional clothes

Money isn't everything. See how cultures measure wealth!

For more information about Iranians tourist attractions, I strongly recommend you to visit the ITT website!

Around Iran # 4 : Ghaleh Rood Khan

Ghaleh Rood Khan is the name of a historical castle, belongs to Saljooghi's age.‎ It is situated at a distance of 20 kilometers from Western South of Fooman in Gilan ‎province. Area of the castle is 2,6 hectares and it is located upward the heights of ‎Roodkhan village. The castles wall has a length of 1500 meters and there are five ‎towers inside it. This castle has been rebuilt in Saljooghis' age and had been fighting ‎bases of Esmaeiles.On the entrance gate of the castle has been written that this castle ‎has been rebuilt in 1513-1516 at the command of Sultan Hesamoddin Amir Dabbaj bne ‎Amir Alaeddin Eshagh. This inscription is held in Ganjineh museum of Rasht. ‎ This castle is located in a height between 665-715 meters from the sea. There is a ‎river with the same name beside the castle.

The length of this castle is about 500 m. and its width changes in the ‎different locations.‎ ‎ Splendid of this castle is very much and it is similar to a thriving city. ‎Author has already seen over 20 castles of England castles, believed that ‎this castle is bigger and stronger than each of them.

To know more about this unique place,visit its website

Around Iran # 3 : Arg-e-Bam

Arg-e Bam In my Sketch

Arg-e Bam was the largest adobe building in the world, located in Bam, a city in the Kerman province of southeastern Iran. It is listed by UNESCO as part of the World Heritage Site "Bam and its Cultural Landscape". This enormous citadel on the Silk Road was built before 500 BC and remained in use until 1850 AD. It is not known for certain why it was then abandoned.
The entire building was a large fortress in whose heart the citadel itself was located, but because of the impressive look of the citadel, which forms the highest point, the entire fortress is named the Bam Citadel.
The planning and architecture of the citadel are ingeniously thought out from different points of view. From the present form of the citadel one can see that the planner(s) had foreseen the entire final form of the building and city from the first steps in the planning process. During each phase of building development the already-built part enjoyed a complete figure, and each additional part could be "sewn" into the existing section seamlessly.
The citadel is situated in the center of the fortress-city, on the point with widest view for security.When the gate of the city was closed, no human or animal could enter. The inhabitants could continue living for a long period of time in isolation as they had access to a well, gardens, and domestic animals inside. When the fortress-city was besieged the inhabitants could remain in the city while the soldiers could defend it, protected by high walls and towers.

Reference of text:Wikipedia

Arg-e-Bam After the earthquake

On December 26, 2003, the Citadel was almost completely destroyed by an earthquake, along with much of the rest of Bam and its environs.I exactly remember that day.All Iranians shocked by this disaster.Many people were killed.Earthequake destroyed more than 80 percent of the Citadel.It was really crying! A few days after the earthquake, President Mohammad Khatami announced that the Citadel would be rebuilt.
We believe Arg-e Bam is still alive.Listen! It is breathing ...

Around Iran # 2 : Hafezieh,Shiraz City

Today's photos show you Hafezieh in Shiraz city.The Mausolum of our great poet "Hafez"

Khawja-Shamsoddin-Muhammad Hafez,Great Persian Poet was born sometime between the years 1310 and 1337 in Shiraz, Medieval Persia(now Iran).

His lyrical poems, known as ghazals, are noted for their beauty and bring to fruition the love, mysticism, and early Sufi themes that had long pervaded Persian poetry. Moreover, his poetry possessed elements of modern surrealism.

مژده‌ى وصل تو كو كز سر جان برخيزم
طاير قدسم و از دام جهان برخيزم
Where are the tidings of union? that I may arise-
Forth from the dust I will rise up to welcome thee!
My soul, like a homing bird, yearning for paradise,
Shall arise and soar, from the snares of the world set free.

Hafez

Around Iran # 1:Kandovan Village

Since I decided to make the blog more interesting, Finally I found a way to do it.I want to post more photos about all parts of Iran and not just Mashhad.You will see them by this title : Around Iran.photos are the result of search and my friends.

For today's post I select some photo of Kandovan Village.A dreamy place,as you see!

In Wikipedia I found this about Kandovan :

Kandovan (also spelled Candovan[citation needed]) is a tourist village near Osku or Oscu and Tabriz, Iran. Its fame is due to its special houses which are carved inside rocks. Some of the houses are at least 700 years old and are still being inhabited. Kandovan also has scenic beauty. It's a popular resort with hotels and restaurants there to serve tourists. Its mineral water is also popular by visitors and is believed to be a cure for kidney disease.

I am sure it is not enough for visitor of here,So read my explanation!

Kandovan historical village with specific geographical and natural characteristic is one of the wonderful village of Iran and the world.It located in 52 Km of south Tabriz, capital of eastern Azerbaijan in north –west of Iran, and 20 Km of Oscu town.Root of Kandovan's name In the historical texts, the village is called "Kandou jan" derives from two words Kand meaning village and Jan meaning existence.History of Kandovan The date of Kandovan backs to 13th century simultaneously with Mongolian Invasion but it should be mentioned that there are different opinions about it.People lived in Hillvard village located 2 Km of Kandovan ,but after invasion they moved to Kandovan because of its natural position which helped them protecting themselves from invasions.It seems there was settlement before 13th century but providing more information needs more investigations.The most interesting feature in Kandovan is rocky architecture. Recognizing the first man's houses.The remain of rocky architecture can be seen in Italy, Afghanistan, Greek ,Peru, Latin America and china where unlike Kandovan are empty and out of settlement .There is just one region in the world is as same as Kandovan and it is Gorme valley in Kapadokie located in 300 Km of Ankara, capital city of Turkey.Kandovan unlike Gorme valley is a settlement place for people who live in this village.Kandovan village is the complex of conical rocks that villagers engraved and settled inside them.The rocks are remaining of volcanic eruption of Sahand which was activated in early tertiary period and it continued to early quaternary period .There fore geometrical composition of Kandovan consist of Ignimbrite or touf.Upon the erosion caused by flowing waters, Touf stones are in conical shapes. Inside the rocks which have engraved is called Kran.Krans have usually two, three or four floors.The first floor is utilized as a stable. The second floor and third floor are as living room, the fourth floor is used as ware house.The entrance doors are short and their height is not more than 160 cm. Some krans are employed for public usage such as mosque and bathroom.Inside krans is cool in the summer and warm in the winter .Most of them are toward south and their habitants enjoy sun ray through the windows.

Now, How do you feel about there?

Side trip to the North I

Hi my friends,
Sorry for my absensce for a few days. I was in a trip to the North of Iran for vacation. It was really great! Let me show you some pics of my trip to the North.

Location: Highway 22W (Mashhad to Sari): passing Golestan forest in Golestan Province. It is one of the most beautiful rural roads in the northeastern of the country.

Location: LOVEH waterfall, city of Minoo-dasht, Golestan Province


Location: Ghaboos tower (the tallest tower in the world made of bricks), city of Gonbad, Golestan Province

I have several other photos, I will put some of them here in next days. Thank you!