Imam Reza Shrine

That's a piece of Persian Art !

The handmade carpet of Golestan palace, Tehran

Yakhchal or Natural Refrigerators

These are the heritages from many years ago in a place near Mashhad.

According to the Wikipedia:

A yakh-chāl (meaning "ice pit") is an ancient type of refrigerator.
Above ground, the structure had a domed shape, but had a subterranean storage space; it was often used to store ice, but sometimes was used to store food as well. The subterranean space coupled with the thick heat-resistant construction material insulated the storage space year round. These structures were mainly built and used in Persia. Many remain standing that were built hundreds of years ago.

In 400 BC Iran, Persian engineers had already mastered the technique of storing ice in the middle of summer in the desert. The ice was brought in during the winters from nearby mountains in bulk amounts, and stored in a specially designed, passively cooled refrigerator, called a yakhchal (meaning ice pit). This was a large underground space (up to 5000 m³) that had thick walls (at least two meters at the base) made out of a special mortar called sārooj, composed of sand, clay, egg whites, lime, goat hair, and ash in specific proportions, and which was resistant to heat transfer. This mixture was thought to be completely water impenetrable. The space often had access to a Qanat, and often contained a system of windcatchers that could easily bring temperatures inside the space down to frigid levels in summer days. The ice was then used to chill treats for royalty during hot summer days and to make faloodeh, the traditional Persian frozen dessert.

Yakhchal of Yazd province (Photo from Wikipedia)

The Yakchal in Kerman is located about a mile from the center of the city. This cone-shaped building is about sixty feet high. The massive insulation and the continuous cooling waters that spiral down its side keep the ice stored there in winter frozen throughout the summer. These ice houses used in desert towns from antiquity have a trench at the bottom to catch what water does melt from the ice and allow it to refreeze during the cold desert nights. The ice is broken up and moved to caverns deep in the ground. As more water runs into the trench the process is repeated. Often seen around the ice houses and many of the homes in the desert are towers called badgirs or wind traps. Built of mud or mud brick, these badgirs, mentioned by Marco Polo, are square or round, but the operating principle is the same: to catch the slightest breeze in the vents at the top and to funnel the cooling air down through internal, vertically placed wooded slats to the water or dwelling below.
In present day Iran the term yakchal is also used to refer to modern refrigerators.

Wedding Car

The art of Tile working

I've posted many photos from Persian tile workings that you can see all by selecting the Art and Islamic Art labels.

Qajar Princes

The painting shows Qajar Princes

Ahmad shaah palace, Tehran- Iran

To know about Qajar era you may like to click here.

Persian Kilim and Rugs

In the small town of Torghabeh, you can easily see the Persian rugs in many handicraft stores.

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 .

In a Traditional Persian Tea House

All the appliances are old and antique. A brazen samovar, lanterns, tea pots...

Sounds you live in the history at this tea house!

Stony Pots

These stony Pots are so popular in Iran and you can find the best ones in Mashhad. Now people do not use them much, but buy as a handicraft. Many years ago, they has been used for cooking specially to cook broth.

The inside of Almas-e-Shargh Center

On my earlier posts, you saw the special architecture of Almas-e-Shargh shopping center. To see it again click here.

Now, this is the inside of it. A nice waterfront exactly under the dome.

The Painting on the Tile

Not as much beautiful and artistic as the original one, but nice! This is an Iranian painting style.

Iran ; The Other explanation of Art

Today, I want to show you some Persian handicrafts. They are special made in cities like Isfahan but you can find them in the big towns such as Mashhad. I took these photos from a big store in Torghabeh- Mashhad.

Metal works (Qalam-zani)

Mina-Kari

Khatam-kari

Qajari Girl

I really interested in the way she is dressed. We have many heritage from Qajar era. I offer you to visit here if you like to know more!

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!

Happy New Year !

Haft Sîn or the seven 'S's is a major tradition of Nowruz, the traditional Iranian new year. It has a complex history and there are indication referring to Kayanids mentioning that (šahd, šir, šarāb, šikkar-e nāb, šamʿ, šamšād, šāya”) literally (honey, milk, wine, pure sugar, a candle, branches of box-tree, and fruits) has been the seven S's on the Nowruz table. Today the haft sin table includes seven items specifically starting with the letter S or Sîn (س in the Persian alphabet). The items symbolically correspond to seven creations and holy immortals protecting them. Originally called Haft Chin, the Haft Sin has evolved over time, but has kept its symbolism. Traditionally, families attempt to set as beautiful a Haft Sîn table as they can, as it is not only of traditional and spiritual value, but also noticed by visitors during Nowruzi visitations and is a reflection of their good taste.

This is the 7 sin table that I set.

The Haft Sin items are:

sîb (سیب)- apples - symbolizing beauty and health

sabzeh(سبزه) - wheat, barley or lentil sprouts growing in a dish - symbolizing rebirth

lit candles (enlightenment and happiness)

samanu (سمنو)- a sweet pudding made from wheat germ - symbolizing affluence (The glass on the left)

senjed (سنجد)- the dried fruit of the ole aster tree - symbolizing love (The glass on the right)

Rose water for its magical cleansing powers (in that red rose-water bottle at middle)

sîr (سیر)- garlic - symbolizing medicine

The Holy Quran for Muslims

A mirror and decorated eggs, sometimes one for each member of the family (fertility)

I decorated and painted all eggs myself ;)

serkeh (سرکه)- vinegar - symbolizing age and patience

sekkeh (سکه)- coins (prosperity and wealth)

Divan of Hafez ( Hafez's poems book)

A glass with red and gold fish (life, and the sign of Pisces which the sun is leaving)

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In 4 hours, the New Year will be started. Yes, again we finished 1 year of our life with a complex of happy and sad times. Since I remember, it was a question for me that why God has created us? I ask myself this question at the end of per year and I am sorry that I do not have any answers yet.
For the New Year, I wish No War, No tears, No sad happening in the entire world. I hope all kind wishes come in true. Happy New Year!

Let's pray for a peace full World!

My dear friends, I am going to travel to Tehran tomorrow with a turned off cell phone and a closed lap top. With any lesson to study, any project to do. I am so tired and want to be a little relaxed. I'll update the blog on 27TH of March with many photos from other parts of Iran.

Imam Reza Hospital

These days I am working on my new project of the new semester. I have to design a hospital for 96 beds so I should visit different hospitals in Mashhad and study about foreign examples.

Imam Reza Hospital is one of the biggest (and oldest) health centers of Mashhad. This is built in Pahlavi era and as you see it is in traditional style of architecture which is great and unique.

Spaghetti Eiffel Tower

Yes, this is Eiffel Tower but not in Paris, in Mashhad ;)

I built it in my 3 days free time.

The Last Project

Finally I gave my last project of this semester. Excuse me for the few days' absence during that time. I had to render my sheets and make the sample of my designing, so I was working hard. Now I am so tired of that and need some days for break then I will start to post my photos from Mashhad again.
You can see some parts of the project in the photo. Architectural Designin III was one of my memorable lessons that I could get the first score in the class. ;)

City Cultural Center

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)