Yazd Things to Do

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It can be hot work wandering the dusty lanes of this adobe city.

And eventually you will need some refreshment

You are heartily sick of Delester!

Keep a look out and you will eventually see a watermelon vendor.

A couple of slices of watermelon cost next to nothing, are safe to eat, and help support the small businessman

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In keeping with our rule to select only the finest religious buildings for a visit, we chose the Jameh mosque. It is renowned for its brilliant tilework, and the massive portal and minaret (among the tallest in Iran) at the western entrance. it was covered in scaffolding on our vist.

Inside is an arcaded courtyard, where often one saw young people either gathering to talk, or sketch. The massive squat dome covers the sanctuary, at the end of a deep iwan. The mihrab in here is tall and intricately decorated with faience and calligraphy

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One of the merits of the Great city of Esfahan is the river passing through, called "Zayandeh-Rood". So there are lots of bridges built on the river some historical some new, the name of one of the ancient rivers is "Khajou" bridge. I don't want to talk about it but in the East side of the bridge there is small building containing Professor Arthur Upham Pope and his wife Phyllis Ackerman's Tomb, I am sure lots of people go to see the bridge but never explore what a great person resting near "Zayande Rood" river bank.

Arthur Upham Pope (1881-1969), was an American archaeologist and historian of Persian art. He married fellow Persian art historian, Phyllis Ackerman, in 1920. In 1923, Pope was appointed director of the California Palace of the Legion of Honor. They were pioneers in the study of the Persian art, history, heritage and culture, and its interrelations.

In 1964, during a state visit to Iran, They were formally invited to move The Asia Institute in Shiraz as an independent research center of publication and study, which would be housed in the Narenjestan Garden [ I will Talk about this garden that now is a museum in my shiraz Travel guide] . They accepted this generous offer and following months of planning, packing and organization, they returned permanently to Iran in 1966.

They spent their final days in Iran and upon their death, they were provided with a magnificent mausoleum built in Professor Pope Park on the banks of the Zayandeh River in their beloved city of Isfahan

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One of the greatest places you can see in Yazd is its Jame Mosque with the enormous gate and dome and its nice combination of colors-navy and khaki-all under the absolute blue sky.
If you want to go from Jame Mosque to Alexander Prison by cab it might take you a long time, but walking through narrow alleys is a cheaper and more comforting alternative.
Alleys mostly are roofed in traditional way and if it wasn't covered by Asphalts you would feel you're in the dynasty of Qhajars or Safavid or even further.

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For me after visiting Esfahan's numerous palaces, gardens and mosques It was undoubtedly worth to see how christianity exists in Iran and that was my second experience of visiting a Church which was great. The museum of the church is also so helpfull to know more about armenian.

There are three churches in Julfa, of which the most important is the Vank church or (The Church of the Saintly Sisters). This church has been built in the reign of Shah Abbas II, in 1074 (1663 A.D.).

Its design is very much similar to that of the domed sanctuary chamber of a Persian mosque, with the addition of a raised chancel and altar within a semi, octagonal apse. By contrast to its modest exterior, the cathedral`s interior is lavishly decorated.

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The Yazd province is home to the largest population of Zoroastrians in Iran. Zoroast was the ancient prophet of Persians, who had brought a religion, Zoroastrism, based on humanity and goodwill, which is still very alive.

These constructions are very important to the Zoroastrians, and normally include a building and beautiful gardens. They house the Holy Fire, which is cherished by Zoroastrians, and have been alight for over 1500 years. The Fire is kept in a case higher than the ground, far from sunshine. There are rooms for rituals around the monuments.

After all if you come to Yazd you should visit this place which helps you understand Persian culture more and more.

My local Yazd friend brought me to this place. I've never seen something like this before. I am not so sure where it is, may be somewhere near Amir Chaqmah. This place is like a traditional gymnasium where the locals - children, teens, adults and even oldies came to do workout. They will start with warming up and doing push-ups for about 20 minutes. Then they will start spinning according to the music and later using the weights, something like a baseball bat (see the pic), they will exercise their hands. The whole performance took more than 1 hour. There was a small entrance fees (not sure how much since my frined paid it) and chai were served (FOC).

My local Yazd friends took me to this desert (about 20 minutes drive from the town). We want to view the sunset. So happen that there were some para gliders at the desert. Wow....what a view. It was really a nice experience watching them para gliding, and the beautiful sunset too.