Shiraz Things to Do

The house dates back to Ghajar times, late 19th or early 20th century. It used to be one of Ghavam’s houses.
I’ve been there many times as a member of Environmental protection community of Shiraz, for the house now belongs to the Institute for the Study of Fars Province (fars-shenasi). Of course it is open to visitors. The house is not very big but is marvelously decorated especially he main room (panj-dari). The most interesting part though, is a Museum of wax figures in the basement.

Next to darvaze Quran you can find Khaju’s mausoleum. Khaju is a Kermani poet from whom Hafez has inspired a lot. The tomb, a gallery, two coffeehouses some bas-reliefs and a cave is what u can find there. There is also a good view of the city from there. But mind your steps, the stairs are made of stone and have got really slippery in time.

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Shiraz is famous for two things: literature and gardens. So the main attractions are the gardens: Eram, Afifabad, Naranjestan, etc., and the mausoleums especially Hafez and Sadi's tombs.
Then there is the old Bazar, The Arg (castle), old houses, and mosques.

As for concerts and plays u can often find one. The best ones are normally in Hafez or Ehsan auditoriums.(This was written before Mr.Ahmadinezhad came into power. Not much Music anymore.)

If u r mainly interested in historical places, start ur visit from Shahrdari (Shohada) square. There u can get a free map of Shiraz in English, French, German, or Japaneese from the tourist information booth. Many of the places u want to go are located there, Arg bazar, and other places that were built by Karimkhan (an 18th century king). Shahe cheragh and other shrines are also close.

After visited Sa'di tomb , me and my parents visit Hafez tomb , Hafez same as Sa'di is a great poet in Iran history, in all of houses in Iran you can find a Hafez poem book, it's name is Divane Hafez. unfortunetly i and my parents taked very nice pic from Hafez but my dad HDD had a prolem and all of my picture removed.

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Abu Mohammad Sharaf-o-ddin Moslehebne Abdollah known of Sa'di of Shiraz he renowned Iranian poem , was born in 606 A.H in an "all theologist Clan".
He grew up in Shiraz , and founded the literary school of Shiraz, by creating invaluable works such as Boostan ( lit Garden ) and Golestan ( lit.Rose garden ) as well as odes and lyric ghazals.
His adopted his nome de plume ( Sa'di ) after the ruler Atabak Sa'd-e zangi, Sa'di has great reputation both in his life time and after death.This great Iranian , theologist , scholar and poet, died in the year 690 A.H and was buried in his own hamlet .

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The very special place in Shiraz The Arg of Karim Khan is a citadel located in the north-east of Shiraz. It was built as part of a complex during the Zand dynasty and is named after Karim Khan, and served as his living quarters. In shape it resembles a medieval fortress.

At times, the citadel was used as a prison. Today, it is a museum operated by Iran's Cultural Heritage Organization.
The Arg of Karim Khan is located at Shohada Square. It has a land area of 4,000 m2 and is in the centre of a 12,800 m2 compound. The citadel of Karim Khan consists of four high walls connected by four 14 m round brick towers at a 90-degree angle. Each 12m wall is crenalized and is 3 metres thick at the base and 2.8 metres at the top. The design of the citadel combines military and residential architecture, for it was the home of Karim Khan and the military centre of the dynasty.

Tile works depicting legendary tales were added at the entrance gate of the citadel during the Qajar period

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Khaje Shamsoddin Mohammad Hafez of shiraz , the master of persian ode ( ghazal ) was born in Shiraz in 727 A.H . Thought composing mystical lyric poems, he founded the Shiraz literary school, and elevated the persian ghazal to an insurmountable climax of perfection, His magical style is belleved to have set the norms and an astonishing end to the stylistic standards of persian poetic discource .

ASK FOR BLESSING, WHEN TO VISIT MY GRAVE YOU COME , SINCE IT WILL BECOME THE PILGRIMAGE PLACE OF ALL THE FREE WORLDS SPIRITED.

I said I long for thee
You said your sorrows will end.
Be my moon, rise up for me
Only if it will ascend.

I said, from lovers learn
How with compassion burn
Beauties, you said in return
Such common tricks transcend.

Dears VT members , It is very important before you travel to Iran know more about its cities and Shiraz is one of them , Shiraz with old history have many nice place to visit .The more popular attractions of Shirâz include first and foremost the tombs of Hafez, Saadi, and Khaju e Kermani (whose tomb is inside a mountain above the city's old Qur'an Gate). Other lesser known tombs are that of Shah Shoja' (the Mozafarid emir of Persia, and patron of Hafez), and the Haft Tanan mausoleum, where 7 Sufi mystics are buried. The Tomb of Baba Kuhi sits atop a mountain overlooking the city, and the tomb of Karim Khan Zand is at the Pars Museum of Shiraz. One of the most historical buildings is the Kian. This building was constructed around the time of Cyrus the Great, and has been a popular tourist attraction ever since.

Among the mosques, the oldest is Atigh Jame' Mosque, which is one of the older mosques of Iran, followed by Vakil Mosque and Nasir al-Mulk mosque with their unique architecture. There are several shrines as well, the most famous one is known as Shah Chiragh ("The King of Lights").

The citadel of Arg of Karim Khan sits adjacent to the Vakil Bazaar and Vakil Bath at the city's central district.

The most famous of houses are Zinat-ol-Molook House and Gahavam's House, both in the old quarters of the city.

Afifabad Garden and The Museum of Weapons, Eram garden, and Delgosha Garden are some of the popular remaining Persian gardens from eras gone by.

Within a relatively short driving distance from Shiraz are the spectacular ruins of Persepolis, Bishapur, Pasargadae, and Firouzabad. At Naqsh-e Rustam can be found the tombs of the Achaemenid kings as well as the Ka'ba-ye Zartosht, which has been thought to be either a Zoroastrian fire temple or possibly even the true tomb of Cyrus the Great. Maharloo Lake is a popular breeding ground for various bird species.

These are some of over 200 sites of historical significance around Shiraz, according to Iran's Cultural Heritage Organization.