Afif-Abad Garden: an Emblematic of Persian Horticulture

Afif-Abad Garden in Shiraz

Located in the Afif-Abad Street of the city of Shiraz –known as the City of Roses and Nightingales–, the Afif-Abad Garden is a favorite place for both locals and international travelers to visit. Initially called the “Golshan Garden,” the Afif-Abad Garden is among the top tourist destinations in Shiraz which is the host to thousands of guest each year.

Like any other Persian gardens, it is composed of a royal mansion and pools surrounded by hundreds of towering trees and colorful flowers. On the other hand, the museums in the two-story palace, the bathhouse, and a traditional tea house confirm the history of the place and the city more than other features. The building of the garden dates back to the Safavid era, and its architecture is a mixture of the elements of the Achaemenid, Sassanid, and Qajar eras. The tile works and the stone columns similar to the Persepolis’s style have ornamented the royal mansion. Being embellished by the eye-catching colorful flowers and the vases in all parts, this garden is the shining example of the Iranian floriculture. If you are a follower of art, architecture, history, and beauty do not miss this alluring garden.

After passing through a wooden gate which is the entrance to the garden, you reach a corridor around a small pool which is decorated with the vases full of roses and is surrounded by the towering cypress trees. In front of the pool, the royal mansion in two floors, and with several stone columns, is beautifully decorated with blue tile works and exhilarates anyone to delve into the palace to find new exciting things in it.

The first floor of the palace is the museum of weapons including the cold and warm arms and is called the military museum. Among the weapons being showcased in the museum, the extravagant personal guns belonged to Qajar and Pahlavi kings are the standouts. This floor leads to the second floor through the stairs. The second floor is called the Ebrat museum which is composed of several chambers and is furnished with stunning pieces of furniture.

The Iranian carpets, the private piano of Queen Farah Pahlavi are the other impressive things that make the museum more noteworthy. At the center of this floor, a hall decorated with a chandelier and marble fireplaces is located. Being ornamented with paintings of flowers and plants, the wooden ceiling captivates any visitor. Along both sides of the hall, the luxury rooms such as a sitting room, a study room, a conference room, and a casino are located. However, visitors cannot enter the rooms.

Moreover, when the sun shines through the colorful glass windows of the hall, the beauty of the mansion is boosted. The porches on both sides of the palace are majestically decorated with the paintings of the hunting preserves and the battles between groups of people. In front of the royal mansion, there is a big pool laden with crystal clear water which reflects the façade of the palace. Ducks and geese inside the pool have given another life to the garden.

The attractions of the Afif-Abad Garden is not limited to a mansion, pools and green plants, but preferably there are a traditional tea house and a bathhouse in other parts of the complex. The tea house contains six chambers decorated with fabulous illustrations from Shahnameh including the battle between Rostam and Sohrab, and Rostam and Esfandiar. The Bathhouse of the complex is located next to the tea house which is well worth visiting.

The beautiful singing of the nightingales gratifies any visitor when walking around the garden. If you are interested in taking pictures, do not forget to rent the traditional Qajari costumes, wear them, and then record your memories in the garden. On the whole, pay a visit to this fabulous garden to get more familiar with the history of Shiraz and the beauty of Iranian garden.

Address: Afif Abad Street, 71364 Shiraz, Iran

Opening Hours: Every day from 08:00 to 12:00 and from 15:30 to 17:00

Closed: Official Holidays

Ticket Price: 20,000 Toman

Pasargadae; the Emanation of Power

Pasargadae Shiraz

The World Heritage site of Pasargadae is considered as the wonderful testimony to Achaemenid civilization in Persia. Glory and honor are apparent to the visitors as it also reflects the greatness of the king and the history that he made. For those who like history and architecture, it is one of the best sites to visit. It is better to have background knowledge about its historical context and then watch its historical beauties. That moment is the best time to feel its worthiness.

The arrival of Persians is one of the most critical issues in ancient history. When Persians got powerful, they founded an empire which included the ancient world except for some parts of Greece. The Achaemenid Empire was not the first Iranian empire, but it was the first multicultural one in Western Asia.

Before them, the Medes governed the country for a short time. Cyrus the Great was the first king of the empire who pronounced the declaration of the rights of man. He singled out Pasargadae as being his capital. This place is a collection of palaces, gardens and the tomb of Cyrus the Great which creates an important structure that demonstrates the art and the architecture of Achaemenid. These buildings were constructed far from each other, but they created an assemblage.

The Achamaenid was a vast empire which was extended from the eastern Mediterranean and Egypt to the Hindus River in India. The house of Achaemenid kings was erected on the order of Cyrus the Great. Pasargadae, the first capital of the Achaemenid Empire, is located near Shiraz, 42 kilometers far from Persepolis. It is located in a semiarid area where it drizzles in winter and the summer the weather is hot. For the tourists who decide to tour Iran, Pasargadae would be one of the places to visit and enjoy. There were palaces, gardens and the mausoleum of the Cyrus the Great in Pasargadae from which some parts of Tall-e-Takht and a royal ensemble of the gatehouse, audience hall, and residential palace remain.

The construction of the main palaces started when Cyrus the Great captured the territories of the Medes and Persia. Like Persepolis and Shoush castles, there is some embossment of legendary animals with human heads guarding the palace in Pasargadae. On the two sides of the main gates of the hall, there are also some embossments which demonstrate the king and his servants carrying something.

The tomb of Cyrus the Great is the most important part of Pasargadae which catches the visitor’s attention. This is the mausoleum of the first harbinger of the freedom and rights of man. The tomb is a simple but a great small room which is stood on six stone floors. Each of the stories is smaller than the lower level. After passing through the platforms, you reach a little and a narrow door. Architecturally, this tomb is comparable with Chogha Zanbil. In ancient times, the tomb of Cyrus the Great was located in a beautiful garden, however, nowadays there are not many trees around it, and nothing remains except some small parts.

Pasargadae remains unchanged from the beginning. Its general plan and buildings have not changed, and the remaining parts are authentic. If you are a fan of history, art, beauty, and architecture, do not miss this marvelous place.

 

Vakil Bazaar; a Treasure Chest of Wonder in Shiraz

Vakil Bazaar; a Treasure Chest of Wonder in Shiraz

The Vakil Complex is the most prominent attraction that was built on the command of Karim Khan Zand and consisted of the Vakil Mosque, the Vakil Bath, the Vakil Bazaar and the Arg of Karim Khan. One of the most famous cities of Iran, which had the reputation of the rich history, culture, art, and literature, is the city of Shiraz. During the Zand dynasty era, Shiraz was the capital of the country. There are lots of cultural and historical sites relating to this period in the city.

Amongst the well-known Vakil complex, the Vakil Bazaar is located at the heart of the city of Shiraz, between the Karim Khan and Lotfali Khan Zand Street which has well preserved its culture and authenticity. This gentility and nobility are glaring from the visage and the charming accents of the experienced shopkeepers.

A long narrow corridor with the tall walls, the domed ceiling, and the flagged floor, is hemmed in by the shops that are a few steps above the ground to be protected from the humidity. The Vakil bazaar has got the better of the modern, up-to-date stores of the city in both the distribution of any goods and attracting tourists and visitors in touring and buying them. A diverse group of people of different race and nationality, from low-incomes to international traders, from the western tourists to the eastern businessmen, from the statuesque blond men and women to the nomads with sunburn faded faces, individually or in the group are visiting and buying the goods. Occasionally, the appealing voice of the marketers with the delightful accent among the commotion in the bazaar invites the visitors to buy things.

At the entrance to the bazaar from the Karim Khan St. some stores welcome the tourists with the sweets and candies that tempt their palate. At the first intersection, the variety of beautiful merchandise would make it difficult for you to select your path. On the one hand the floor coverings including the beautiful hand-woven carpet, rug, drugget, and beautiful felt, on the other hand, the blanket and quilt either floral or straightforward and on the opposite side the vibrant costume and fabrics, catch all the visitor’s attention. The shops with enticing and tempting goods cause overcrowding and slow down the traffic.

After passing a varied route and a short bottleneck, in the middle of the bazaar, a light breeze freshen the visitors up. After a short distance, six pathways on six sides activate the six senses of the people. The smell of saffron, spices, the traditional herbal medicines, and the hanging leathers would be an enjoyable sensory experience.

The beats of the coppersmith on the copper and the cast irons would enchant any visitor as well. On the other hand, you would see the art of the inlay, which has brought the art of Shiraz to its peak. If you are visiting this charismatic bazaar during the cold winter days, savor the delicious “Laboo” (beetroot) and if you are visiting during the hot summer days, do not forget to taste the yummy “Faloode” and also the local ice cream of Shiraz that would make your trip more pleasing.

You may become more interested in visiting this place if you become informed that there isn’t any cooling or heating system in the bazaar. However, the vaulted ceiling regulates the temperature of the bazaar. In summer, the bazaar is kept cool, and during the winter, it is warm.

The attractions of the Vakil Bazaar are not limited to shopping. In one corner, after a porch like a corridor, you reach the Saray-e-Moshir in which the artists’ arts are exhibited. There is a small pool full of clear water at the heart of this cozy place around which there are lots of rhinestone shops. The shops are laden with the exquisite rhinestones that have run circles around the gold and jewelry where you can buy lots of souvenirs to take back with yourself.

If you love strolling along with the markets or peeping the merchandise in stores, the Vakil Bazaar would be an appropriate choice. So delve into this bazaar to find more attractive features and sense a warm glow of pleasure.

By F. Cheraghi

Persepolis, The Glory of an Empire, The Heritage of a Civilization

Persepolis Shiraz Iran

In 550 B.C, Cyrus the Great, laid the foundation of a unique empire which was built on a model of tolerance and respect for other cultures and religions. After Cyrus, Darrius the Great, elevated the Persian Empire to its zenith. In his time, the empire was extended to borders of India in the east to Greece on the Mediterranean, down to Egypt an Ethiopia in Africa an up to Russia and Eastern Europe. Twenty-eight nations were rolled together under the rule of this man who was named as the king of kings.

To administer this vast empire, The Achaemenid King established four capital cities that Persepolis (near Shiraz) was the most magnificent of them all which was the most prosperous city under the sun at that time.

The Largest Empire the World Ever Have Seen

Persepolis was found around 519 B.C.  on a large platform (12500 square meters) which was created of giant blocks of stone and expanded in more than 50 years.

Clues to understanding the function of Persepolis are carved in its walls and staircases. They show the representatives of the 28 different governorships of Persian Empire who came on the New Year’s Day whit exotic presents from the farthest regions of the empire to confirm their loyalty and the power of the king.

The people who had the chance of being in that grand place faced a glory that they’d never seen before.

Apadana Palace

The first global empire was built on a model of tolerance for other cultures and religions. Tolerance was the keyword in beliefs in the vast Achaemenid Empire. Even though they were Zoroastrians, the Achaemenid kings didn’t force their will to other peoples. On the contrary, they helped them. They are the first example of international religious freedom found in the history of humanity.

The remains of Persepolis clearly show this policy. The friendship between nations is masterfully shown here. There is no force or enmity. This atmosphere of peace and harmony is portrayed on the walls were the noblemen are shown holding hands and chatting with one another.

What early Greek historians wrote about the wealth of Persepolis was not an exaggeration. It was full of gold and silver and all sorts of riches.

The Capital of Achamanedian

Hundreds of clay tablets have been found with inscriptions on them reported the amount of salary paid out to different workers such as woodworkers in Persepolis. This tells us that the workers of Persepolis were not slaves. The Achaemenid employed large numbers of men and women and paid them fairly in kind or cash according to their skills and the nature of their work. There were women supervisors as well, and some women sometimes awarded double than men.

According to these clays, working women received unique benefits for their maternity — payments to cover the whole year.

Persepolis the Ceremonial Capital

Persepolis was the ceremonial capital of the greatest empire that the world has ever seen. But the beauty and glory of Persepolis lasted for only 2 centuries. It’s majestic halls and residential area burnt in flames when Alexander and his army conquered and looted the city in 330 B.C. He set fire to the palaces of Persepolis and that’s how the richest city under the sun, was no more.