Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
the now-sleepy village is best known for its well-preserved Sassanid Fortress (admission
US$1.80) , which was once used to protect grains, valuables and people from attackers. It
has two main concentric walls and high towers, and is surrounded by a moat (now empty).
Vahid the caretaker is here off and on - if you can't find him on-site, call him on
0913
968 6808 or call his father Yadullah
0913 858 738, who also has a key.
FAHRAJ
POP 1000 / ELEV 1274M
A gem in the Dasht-e Lut, this agricultural village 35km southeast of Yazd offers far more
than immediately meets the eye. In the middle of its beautifully restored historic centre is
what may well be the oldest purpose-built mosque in Iran, the Masjed-e Jameh (Jameh
Mosque; admission free; 24hr) . The mosque's internal courtyard, vaulted sanctuary
and arcades date from the Sassanid period, although its cylindrical clay minaret is more
recent - built as a lighthouse for caravans around 400 years ago. In the surrounding area is
a ruined castle, a hammam and an ab anbar with four badgirs .
Owned and operated by Masoud Jaladat of Fravahar Eco-Touring Group ( Click here ) ,
the recently opened Farvardinn Desert Inn ( 0351-838 7712, 0913 352 4723;
www.fardesertinn.com ; mat in courtyard/dm/B&B in private room US$2/5/18;
) is a perfect chill-out destination for those who need a respite from Iran's noisy cities.
Accommodation options include a mat in the courtyard, a 10-bed dorm and private rooms
(some with bathroom, some without). Bathrooms have both Western and squat toilets. You
can eat home-cooked meals (breakfast US$2 to US$5, lunch US$7, dinner US$5) or use
the kitchen to rustle up your own grub. Great stuff.
Local buses to Fahraj leave Yazd on the hour between 6am and 8pm from Abuzar Sq
(US$0.40, 50 minutes). A taxi dar baste costs US$7.
Shirazزاریش
0711 / POP 1,227,331 / ELEV 1531M
Celebrated as the heartland of Persian culture for more than 2000 years, Shiraz has be-
come synonymous with education, nightingales, poetry and wine. It was one of the most
important cities in the medieval Islamic world and was the Iranian capital during the Zand
dynasty (AD 1747-79), when many of its most beautiful buildings were built or restored.
In his 1893 book A Year Amongst the Persians, Edward Browne described Shirazis as
'…amongst all the Persians, the most subtle, the most ingenious, the most vivacious'. And
even in Iran, where regional one-upmanship is common, everyone seems to like Shirazis.
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