introduction
Yazd
The city of Yazd, located in one of the most interesting regions of Iran, was once a busy trade junction on the ancient Silk Roads and later a popular stopover on the Hippie Trail. It is now the most tourist-friendly city in Iran with a welcoming oriental atmosphere. Surrounded by the desert with scattered remains of ancient Silk Road inns, the caravanserais, some of which have been converted into splendid guesthouses, Yazd at a glance is one of the most distinctive and easily identifiable cities in Iran. This uniqueness is its most defining characteristic. Historic city centre of Yazd, with houses built of dun-dried bricks (khesht in Persian) of yellow-brown colour with ancient wind towers or wind catchers (badgir in Persian) rising above, was in 2017 inscribed unto the UNESCO World Heritage List. Yazd is also known as the cultural heart of Zoroastrianism, the world’s first monotheistic religion dating to before the 6th century BCE and visiting its holy sites both in Yazd and the surrounding area is a must on any trip to Iran.
Yazd at a glance
- Enjoy a refreshing fresh cup of coffee or aromatic tea in one the rooftop cafés in the historic centre of Yazd and let the unique city skyline and the surrounding mountains carry you away into the distant and grandiose Orient.
- Get lost in between the narrow alleys of the UNESCO-listed historical city centre of Yazd, stopping by in cosy handcraft galleries in finely refurbished historic mansions.
- Learn about the beautiful and delicate traditions of Zoroastrianism in its two main centres of learning in Yazd – the Zoroastrian fire temple (ateshkadeh) and the Markar Historical Complex.
- Take a walk around Amir Chaqmaq Square with its imposing façade of the same name, which had in the past functioned as a viewing platform for the city’s parades and ceremonies, including the Moharram processions that Yazd is famous for.
- Taste one or perhaps two or even more of the most delicious Iranian sweets from the local Haj Khalife Ali Rahbar shop. Family-run with more than 100 years of history, this is undoubtedly the place to savour Iran’s best pastries.