Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
A savari to Na'in costs US$1.40 and taxis
dar baste
cost US$9 to Na'in, US$18 to Es-
fahan and US$39 to Yazd.
NA'INنیئان
0323 / POP 75,000 / ELEV 1557M
Long known for its handicrafts, the semi-somnolent town of Na'in is located at the start of
the desert road to Tabas and Mashhad and has been an important crossroad on the trade
routes across the province since Sassanid times. In the past it was known for its ceramics
and textiles; these days it is primarily known for its carpets and camel-wool cloaks, many
of which are sold in Yazd.
Sights
Masjed-e Jamehعماج دجسم
(Jameh Mosque; admission US$0.50; 8am-5pm, closed for Fri prayers in summer)
There's only one truly compelling reason to visit Na'in - and that's to see this mosque.
Constructed sometime in the 10th and 11th centuries, it was one of the very first mosques
built in Iran and is unusual in that it wasn't built to the usual four-
iwan
plan of its time
(eg the Masjed-e Jameh in Esfahan). The exterior facade and minaret are austerely beauti-
ful and many parts of the interior (including the mihrab) are decorated with finely detailed
stuccowork. Don't miss the carved wooden minbar or underground prayer hall.
From the mosque entrance you can see the ruined
Narin Castle
, the town's oldest
structure.
MOSQUE
Tours
Enthusiastic computer-shop owner, amateur photographer and freelance guide
Mahmood
Mohammadipour
( 0939 863 6090;
www.naeinsun.ir
; half-day Na'in tours US$15-17,
half-day treks US$23-45)
can organise tours within town and into the surrounding area, as
well as desert trekking, homestays and bicycle hire.
Sleeping & Eating
Campers can pitch their tents in the open ground near the
Hosseinieh
(building used dur-
ing the rituals to commemorate the death of Imam Hossein), located close to the Masjed-e
Jameh. The nearby public toilets are open 24 hours.
Naein Tourist Inn$$
HOTEL
