Central Iran - Iran - page 305

is usually free; the only exception is during April and No Ruz, when a charge of US$0.50
per person is levied.
To the left of the mosque's entrance is the Khajeh Taj ad-Din ( www.tajaddin.com ; a
donation requested; 8am-9pm) , the tomb of Ghotbs Kashani, a famous mystic of the
Qajar period.

ALAVI STREET & AROUND

Traditional Housesیتنس یاه هناخ
Hiding behind the town's high mud-brick walls are hundreds of large traditional houses
built by wealthy merchants, monuments to the importance of Kashan as a Qajar-era com-
mercial hub. Built during the 19th century, most have long since been carved up or are lit-
erally turning to dust, but several have been restored and are open to the public. All are set
around a series of interlinked courtyards and are embellished with fine stucco panels, os-
tentatious stained glass and lofty badgirs .

HISTORIC BUILDINGS

Khan-e Tabatabei ییابطابطهناخ
(Alavi St; admission US$1.80; 8am-sunset) Built around 1880, Seyyed Jafar
Tabatabei's house is renowned for its intricate stone reliefs, fine stucco and wonderful
mirror and stained-glass work. The house consists of three sections: the andaruni (internal
area where family members lived), the biruni (external area used for entertaining and
housing guests) and the khadame (servants' quarters). These are set around four court-
yards, the largest of which boasts a fountain pool. From mid-afternoon (depending on the
month), sunlight and stained glass combine to bathe some rooms in brilliant colour.
To get here, walk south past the Khan-e Borujerdi towards the blue conical tower of the
Imamzadeh-ye Sultan Mir Ahmad and turn right - the entrance is on the left. There's an
excellent handicraft shop ( Click here ) off the main courtyard.

Khan-e Boroujerdi اهیدرجوربهناخ
(Alavi St; admission US$0.50; 8am-sunset) Legend has it that when Sayyed Jafar
Natanzi, a carpet merchant known as Borujerdi, met with fellow carpet merchant Sayyed
Jafar Tabatabei to discuss taking his daughter's hand in marriage, Mr Tabatabei set one
condition: his daughter must be able to live in a home at least as lovely as his own. The
result - finished some 18 years later - was the Khan-e Borujerdi.
The home originally consisted of two sections, an andaruni and a biruni , but today only
the biruni is open to the public (the andaruni houses the Kashani Culture & Heritage Of-