Shiraz is one of the biggest cities in Iran and most significant city at the center of Fars province at the height of 1486 m above the sea level, located in the Zagros mountainous area, a highly important protection for the strategic location of Shiraz. Shiraz consists of 3 districts, ”Arzhan“, “Zaraghan“ , ”Markazi“, six cities and 12 rural districts. Shiraz name has been explored in the Achaemenid inscriptions in Persepolis.
This city has been known as the most significant tourism center, the 6th populous city, the cultural capital of the country, 2nd literary city in the world, the 3rd religious city, the 3rd holy shrine of Iran and the city of poetry, wine and flower. The tombs of several poets such as Hafez and Sa’adi placed in Shiraz where embraces a major part of Iran’s ancient history, historical, cultural, religious and natural attractions.
Nasir al-Mulk Mosque is one of the oldest mosques in the Goud-e-Araban district close to the famous Shah Cheragh Mosque in Shiraz. Mirza Hasan Ali, also known as Nasir-al-Mulk , was one of the Qajar dynasty’s grandee who ordered the construction of this building. Mohammad Hassan Memar was the architect of the 2212 square meter mosque. The construction and building of the infrastructure of the mosque lasted about 12 years. The mosque has a large courtyard, one main entrance to the mosque, yard, porch, arches, the decorated finials and tiling, masonry, brickwork and stained glass works. The beautiful design is significantly known among mosques in Iran.
Hafezieh, the unique mausoleum of the eighth century Iranian sonneteer, Hafez Shirazi, is one of the most popular tourist attractions among Iran and Fars province celebrities. At first, Shams al-Din Mohammad Yaghmaei, minister of Abul Qasem Gurkani (Fars ruler), built a dome over Hafez grave and a large pool in front of it that was filled by Rokn Abad water in 865 AH (1452 AD). The building was repaired and some parts were added to it in later periods.
This monument dating back to the Mozaffarid period was built commissioned by Reza Pahlavi and Ali Asghar Hekmat with Andre Godard design, the famous French architect, in which four stone pillars is related to Zand period. They also added 16 columns, a large veranda with 22 columns with the length of 56 meters and painted decorations, plaster and tile work in 1316. This building has been constituted from two North and South courtyards separated from the hall. Also, there are beautiful garden and orangery and rectangular pools in the courtyard of the mausoleum.
legendary city of Persepolis, is the former capital of Darius the Great and founded in 512 BC. There was no more impressive construction in the ancient world, except perhaps Karnak in Egypt, The centre of the great Persian Empire, ceremonial capital of the Achaemenians and the showpiece of Achaemenian art, Persepolis (Capital of Persia in Greek) is a historic site in Fars Province, 60 km to the northeast of Shiraz. Iranians call it Takht-e Jamshid (The throne of Jamshid), Jamshid being the first, probably mythical, ruler of Iran. This magnificent court was the summer residence of the Achaemenid emperors and their official reception quarters.
It must be by some strange accident of history that Persepolis was never mentioned in foreign records, for it was here that representatives of all the varied peoples of the empire gathered to pay homage, and bring tribute, to the King of Kings, probably each spring, at the time of the ancient NowRuz festival. Although set on fire and destroyed by Alexander in a gesture symbolizing the destruction of Persian imperial power, its still impressive ruins permit a fairly complete reconstruction of its original appearance.
