Yazd

Jame Mosque

Jame Mosque of Yazd is the congregational mosque of Yazd. Historians believe that this mosque has been constructed in a place where previously a fire temple existed. It was first built in Al-e Bouyeh dynasty, but rebuilt and renewed in 14^th century. The building as it stands today was built under the command of Seyyed Rokn al-Din Muhammad Qazi.

This mosque has a pair of minarets that are the tallest in Iran. The entrance and the minarets are covered with eye-catching tiles, mostly blue. Inscriptions on the wall of the building date back to 15^th century.

The dome of this mosque was decorated by delicate mosaics. The symbol of Gardoneh Mehr (Chalipa) is seen in ornamentation of this mosque. It shows the four elements of water, wind, soil and fire which stand for birth, death, eternity, and infiniteness. It shows the former believes of Iranians before becoming Moslem.

Amir Chakhmaq Complex

Amir Chakhmaq Complex is a three-floor building (Hosseinieh) but only the first floor is accessible. The structure of this place is fascinating. The building include has arched alcoves. Two very tall minarets are located at the center of the building.

This square was built by Jalal al-Din Amir Chakhmagh, the governor of Yazd in 15^th century. It was built near an old mosque currently known as Amir Chakhmagh mosque. The next governor of Yazd added bazaar, caravanserai and a bath house to complete the complex.

Most parts of the square were destroyed in modernization processes of Reza Shah’s rule, the king of Pahlavi dynasty.  

Zoroastrian Fire Temple

This Atashkadeh is a holy place for Zoroastrians. This fire temple keeps the holy fire of Bahram. There are nine holy fires of Bahram in the world; eight are located in India and one located in Yazd. This fire has been kept lit for more than 1500 years by Zoroastrians. The fire is kept in a big Bronze firebox and always kept lit by a person who is called Hirbod.

The building is built in 1934. It is a 21 meters high building with 4 stone pillars in its faced. The statue of Fravahar, is engraved on top of the building faced. An almost big pool is located in front of the building, because Zoroastrians' believe there should always exist water near the holy fire.

Visiting the building is possible for non- Zoroastrians since about 1985.

Dowlat Abad Garden

Dowlat Abad Garden with an area of 70000 square meters is built in 1781 by the command of Muhammad Taghi Khan-e Bafghy, the ruler of Yazd and one of the main land owners of the city.

To build this garden, he first ordered the digging and constructing of a 65 Kilometers Qanat to bring water from Mehriz to his land. Then he started the construction of the mansion. It is an octagonal building with a very tall windcather which is the tallest clay windcather of the world. This mansion is considered a residenti.al-governmental building. Dowlat Abad Garden is one of the nine Iranian gardens registered as a world heritage by UNESCO. There are several pomegranate, grape, cedar and pine trees in the garden.

Previously this garden was located outside yazd, but gradually in Pahlavid era, through expansion of city, Dowlat Abad Garden was connected to the city.

Chak Chak Pantheon

The story of this place is really unclear. But this is a very sacred place for Zoroastrians all over the world. 5 specific days a year, Zoroastrians gather in this holy place, pray for those who have lost their lives, sing happy songs and get to know each other. This place is the symbol of unity for Zoroastrians all over the world.

There is a myth regarding this place. It is said that Nik Banou, the daughter of Yazdgerd the king of Sassanid Era, had sheltered there from their enemies, and later a shepherd dreamed about her asking to build a pantheon there.

Dakhma

According to Zoroastrians burying the dead bodies polluted the sacred soil, so they built some special places usually on top of the hills outside the cities or villages. These Dakhmes were cylinder towers without door or roof. They had to climb using a ladder. Zoroastrians put their dead bodies in these places, so that wild animals could reach them and eat the flesh. Then they throw the remaining bones in the cylinder tower.

There are several Zoroastrian Towers of Silence located in the hilltops of Yazd suburb. Nowadays Zoroastrians don’t use this method.

Zein al- Din Caravanserai

Zein al- Din Caravanserai is an architectural masterpiece of 16^th century. In the times of Shah Abbas, many Caravanserais were constructed every 20 to 30 miles in the trade routes to provide required facilities for travelers and traders. Zein al- Din Caravanserai was built on the way of the ancient Silk Road. It has two floors, a courtyard and a water pool.

This Caravanserai is professionally renovated. It obtained the award of best repair in 2006. It is currently used as a hotel while the owners have kept the historical style and design. It receives 60 to 80 tourists per day.

There are several 8 square meters chambers with no doors. The only thing that separates the chambers from corridor is a curtain. Rooms are covered with Iranian carpets.

Tourists from all over the world visit this place and experience at least a one night stay in a real caravanserai enjoying the beauty of desert sky and its shiny stars.