INTERESTING PLACES
Isfahan

Isfahan or Esfahan is one of the oldest cities of Iran with the 1,001,000 population located 355 km (220 miles) south of Tehran. This 2 500 years old city served as Persia's capital from 1598 to 1722.

Isfahan was a crossroad of international trade and diplomacy, and therefore was a kaleidoscope of resident languages, religions, and customs. The city is known for its silver filigree and metal work.

The city's golden age took place under the reign of Shah Abbas I (1587-1629) who unified Persia. Once the capital of ancient dynasties, Isfahan reached height of prosperity and fame as the seat of the Safavid Kings in the seventeenth century. At that time, Isfahan, enjoyed the reputation of being one of the largest and most beautiful cities in the whole world.

This city is renowned not only for the abundance of great historical monuments, but also for its Life-Giving River, The Zayandeh-Rood, which has given the city an original beauty and a fertile land. Isfahan is filled with old gardens and some of the best sights in Iran. Some of these are: the Naqsh-e-Jahan Square where you can visit the breathtakingly beautiful Sheik Lotfollah mosque, as well as the larger (and bluer)Imam Mosque. The Chehel Sotun (40 columns) palace has some beautiful paintings adorning the walls, and a lovely garden to stroll around. And don't miss the ancient bridges crossing the river, or the amazing Vank Cathedral in the Armenian quarter - a real crossroads between Christian and Islamic art.

There are some lovely places to eat too, and of course the fabulous covered bazaar where you can see artisans at work as well as feast your eyes on an array of beautiful carpets. Isfahan is a wonderful place to walk around and spend a few days soaking up Persian culture. 
 

 

Pasargadae

 


According to the Roman geographer Strabo of Amasia, Pasargadae was built on the site where king Cyrus defeated the leader of the Medes, Astyages, in 550 BCE (Strabo, Geography 15.3.8). That Cyrus was indeed the builder of this town, can be corroborated from the building inscriptions in the palace, which state Cyrus the Great King, an Achaemenian.

The heart of Pasargadae is the citadel, which is known as Tall-i-Takht or 'throne hill'. It overlooks a garden ('paradise') in the south, and the palace complex itself. This consists of two smaller units: the residential palace and the many columned audience hall. The audience hall or Apadana can be approached from the south-east; the visitor first has to pass a gate and then has to cross a bridge over the river Pulvār.

Stylistically, the Apadana belongs to the architectural tradition of the Iranian nomads, who lived in large tents. However, Cyrus used elements from other cultures as well: sculptures from the Assyrian palaces were used as models, work was done by stonemasons from Greek Ionia, and a Phoenician demon guarded the palace. Probably, the population of the city had a similar, mixed character.

The small tomb of king Cyrus -stylistically based on a model from western Turkey- is situated a little to the southwest. It was venerated by later rulers, a.o. the Macedonian king Alexander the Great, who ordered restorations in January 324 BCE. The tomb of Cyrus' successor Cambyses was never finished.

 

Gonbad Kavous
 

This city is located in the north east of Iran, in Golestal provience. There is an old tower in Gonbad which is 1005 years old. There are so many others attractions!!! Mile Gonbad ( Tower of Gonbad ) which is located in centre of city is the worlds tallest brick building. Most of  people living in Gonbad are Turkmens.
It is worth to visit !!!