Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Imamzadeh-ye Ali Ebn-e Hamze هزمح نبا یلع هدازماما
(Hafez St, near Hamzeh Bridge; dawn-dusk)
This is the tomb of Emir Ali, a nephew of
Shah Cheragh who also died here while en route to Khorasan to help Imam Reza. The ex-
isting shrine was built in the 19th century after earthquakes destroyed previous incarna-
tions, and has separate areas for males and females. Highlights include the eye-catching
bulbous Shirazi dome, dazzling Venetian mirror work, stained-glass windows and an in-
tricate, ancient wooden door. The tombstones around the courtyard, for which families of
the deceased paid a small fortune, are also interesting. Unlike some other shrines, the
caretakers here are very welcoming of foreigners; women are supplied with a chador and
photography is allowed.
IMAMZADEH
Bagh-e Eramمرا غاب
(Garden of Paradise; Eram Blvd; admission US$3.60; 8am-12.30pm & 3-5pm, to 7pm
summer)
Famous for its tall cypress trees, this Unesco-listed garden was laid out during
the Qajar period but incorporates elements from an earlier Seljuk landscape. Social an-
thropologists will love it - the many hidden corners of the gardens are wildly popular with
young Shirazis, who pay a fraction of the entrance fee that foreigners are charged. The
garden is designed around a pretty pool beside a Qajar-era palace, the
Kakh-e Eram
(Eram Palace), which is not open to the public. The gardens are easy enough to reach by
taking any shuttle taxi (US$0.30) going along Zand, alighting at Namazi Sq and then
walking north across the river.
GARDENS
Tours
Most guides charge standard tour prices set by the local cultural heritage and tourism or-
ganisation. These are US$25/40 for a half-/full-day city tour. Tours by car are more ex-
pensive. For prices of tours to Persepolis, Pasargadae, Firuz Abad, Kazerun and Bishapur,
see those sections. Note that tours can also be arranged through almost every hotel in
town.
Arash Sadeghzadeh
( 0917 317 1652;
www.triptopersia.com
)
Young, enthusiastic, knowledgeable and
highly organised guide, driver and fixer.
GUIDE
Azadeh Khademi
( 0917 105 2191; tbs-azadehkhademi@hotmail.com)
Knowledgeable French- and
English-speaking female guide.
GUIDE
