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 .

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

Prophet Muhammad's Birthday

Prophet Muhammad 's mosque, Medina

The inside of mosque

(photos are taken at summer 2008)

In the Islamic calendar, the 12Th day of Rabi-al-Awwal marks the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
There is a difference of opinion about whether the Milad An-Nabi (Prohet Mohammad's Birthday) should be a time of celebration. There is evidence that the Prophet, his Companions, and the early followers after them did not celebrate or otherwise observe his birthday. On the contrary, Muhammad was careful to warn his people not to imitate other faiths, whose followers elevated their prophets and added to the religion what was not in the original teachings.
Those who disagree claim that although not practiced in the early years of Islam, the remembrance of the Prophet's birthday is a "good innovation." They see it as a time to read the Qur'an, and remember the life, teachings, and example of the Prophet Muhammad.

Reference of the text :about.com

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.

The Building of Traditional exercises

Khajeh Rabee Mausoleum

Imam Reza Shrine

The Art Of Tile Working

Gonbad Sabz or The Green Dome

Location : Mashhad- Gonbad sabz Square

Sorry my friends for delay to update this blog. I am so busy with my projects these days.The exam season is coming as well.

Hajj Time

These days are the holy time of Hajj.You may watch some related TV programs on Islamic channels about it in this time .To remember of this holy time,I put a photo that I took in my last travel to Mecca few month ago.Yesterday,they changed the black cover of “Kabeh”.

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!

Imam Reza Birthday

Photo by Fars

Today is the birthday of Imam Reza.You know that he is one the most beloved Imam’s of the Shia people of the Islamic world. Imam Reza’s shrine is in Mashhad, Iran, and because of that, he is very respectable among Iranian people and every day, many pilgrims travel to Mashhad city to ask their pleas heard by their holly Imam.Today is the birthday of Imam Reza. He was born in Madina 11th Zeeqaad 148 Hijri (1.1.766 AD) and passed away in the city of Mashhad, Iran on 17th Safar 203 Hijri (26.5.819 AH).Imam Reza (AS) was 35 years old when his father died in prison of Harun al-Rashid in Baghdad and the responsibilities of the Imamat devolved on him. At that time Harun Al-Rashid was the absolute ruler of Baghdad and the descendants of Imam Ali (AS) were passing as ever, through trials and tribulations because of the tyranny of the Abbasid ruler. Yet Imam Reza (AS) carried on the responsibility of administering the Divine Law of Shari’ah as taught by the Holy Prophet and Imams of the Ahlulbayt after him.After putting an end to the life of Imam Musa Ibn Jaa’far (AS) Harun al-Rashid lived for ten years. He had less tolerance for the existence of Imam Ali Reza (AS), then he did for his revered father. But he also knew that his Government had already lost face due to its prolonged maltreatment and eventual assassination of Imam Musa Ibn Ja’afar (AS) or perhaps the tyrant felt the stings of conscience which kept him from harassing the 8th Imam. It is said that once Yahya Barmaki, his Prime Minister, in order to gain the ruler’s favour, informed Harun that Imam Ali Ibn Musa (AS) claimed Imamat in the same way his father had done, Harun coldly replied, “We have already inflicted cruelties on his father, do you expect me to annihilate this family altogether.Political wranglings in Baghdad between the two sons of Harun were rocking the Empire. His elder son Amin who had an Arab mother had the support of the Arabs and most of the Abbasid elders, while the younger son Mamun had a Persian mother and was supported by the Persians. To console both factions Harun took a pledge from both his sons that after his death Amin will rule the Arab part of the Empire while Mamoun will rule the Persian side. When Harun died in far away Tus, the most northern town of his Persian Empire, Mamoun was with him and buried him there. Amin in Baghdad immediately proclaimed himself the Caliph of the whole empire and immediately deposed Mamoun from the rulership of the Persian Province. Mamoun’s main concern was to subdue the persian province under any circumstances. He realised that the majority of Persians favoured the teachings of Ahlulbayt and if somehow he could persuade the Imam of the Ahlulbayt in Madina to side with him, he could confirm his rule there. Once he felt secure on that side of the Empire, he would then rise against his brother and easily depose him.Imam Ali Reza (AS) died and was buried far off from Madina, the home of his forefathers of the Ahlulbayt of the Prophet. In Sanabad, about a mile from the village where he died, they placed him in a grave inside the tomb of Harun al- Rashid who was buried there ten years ago. Mamoun’s ambitions to get the Empire under his feet was almost accomplished for he knew that the army under his command would not run away from him at this juncture.

Reference of the text : siasatrooz

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

A Dome under Tile working

This is the dome of a mosque near my university.As you see,it is under tile working.This is nice and impressive.The sentence that is written on the dome is : لااله الا الله

It means;There is no God but Allah.

We Muslims,call such sentences "Zekr".

Almas-e-Shargh Shopping Center

Almas-e-Shargh or Diamond of the East is a big unique shopping center in Mashhad with 650000 square meters area in 5 floors.This great and beautiful center is designed by an Iranian famous architect " Khalil Sohrabian" and is included many facilities such as restaurant,coffee shop.amusing park,a 27000 square meters parking,gym,net cafe,wireless Internet and etc.Look at the dome,It shines like a real diamond!

A view of Old Mashhad

A shot of Old Mashhad near Imam Reza holy shrine.Most of the building near here are old and the government try to bye and destroy them and build new constructions instead.The designs have to follow the Islamic style that you see in the photo.Architects and engineers won't be allowed to use modern concepts and architecture near the holy shrine.

This photo is taken by one of my university friends, "Danial Rezazadeh" .Thanks Danial!

A mosque under repairing

This is an old Mosque near Imam Reza holy shrine that I am not sure about its name.As you see It is surrounded by fences because of some repairing.So I could not take better shots and get information about it.

Tile works are the most important characteristic of Islamic architecture in Iran.Once time I visited the big Tile Factory of Astan-Qods-e-Razavi in Mashhad and I saw how much it is difficult to produce such art works.The guide told me "we need 10 workers in a day to produce just 1 meter of these tiles .

As a Iranian girl , I really proud of this old unique art!

Old and Modern Architecture

In these two photos, you'll see the old and modern architecture of Mashhad. I was passing through this old building by my car when I took the photo; so I couldn't realize what this building was. "Malek House" is the only thing I could see. If any of the Mashhadi's visitors know, tell us please.
And you see the Mellat Bank below as a modern building. Interesting to know that these two buildings are in a same street: Arg Street.
If you are interested to see more photos of old architecture in this part of the world, The Land of Persia, visit The Travel to Kashan.

Side Trip: Mecca and Medina

Posted by Sara

Prophet Muhammad mosque


Prophet Muhammad mosque (interior view)

Muhammad; The prophet of kindnesses
Here is the prophet Muhammad mosque. Notice the style of Architecture. It is built in Shaam school (which is included the Byzantine school in Damascus). I love this kind of a Architecture. It always reminds me the Cathedral of Cordoba in Spain.

Shajareh mosque-pilgrims with white clothes

In Meead photos you saw the way that Men (pilgrims) wear white clothes. now in my photos you can also see how women are dressed for Hajj (umrah).

Medina, Sara-wearing Chador!

One of my important experiences was my optional style of wearing Hijab there. Yes, as you see I wear Chador. it was the first time that I used to wear it for such long time (15 days) and I should confess that it was so difficult, because I don’t try it in my country Iran. I just wear scarf and uniform here.

Masjid-Al-Haram (Prophet Abraham's Footprint Place in front of Kaaba)

Masjid-Al-Haram (Kaaba)

Recovering my lost photos was the most joyful event during these days. Although we save memories in our hearts, photos help us to remember more. It was my third trip to Medina and Mecca. I've been there one time when I was 11 and another one in 18 years old. Each time was a different experience. as a child, as a teenager and as a youth!

I can not describe it as well as I like. But I think today's photos would show you some of my personal point of view about these 2 holy cities; Mecca and Medina.

Emam Hassan Mosque

Blue and turquoise color are the most common colors used in our traditional religous architecture related to Islam religion. Most of the historical mosques in Iran, which belongs to 200 to 700 years ago, are colored with blue, turquoise and sometimes light green, dark blue and white. This is Emam Hassan Mosque which is not an old mosque. It has been built not more than 5 years ago but it is clear that it was tried to follow the Persian-Islamic traditional architecture in desgning and building this beautiful structure. Now it is one of the most prestigous mosques in Mashhad.

Location: Hashemieh Boulevard, Vakil Abad Highway, Mashhad