Shiraz
Shiraz is located in the southwest of Iran and has been a regional trade center for over a thousand years. It is regarded as one of the oldest cities of ancient Persia; the earliest reference to the city is on Elamite clay tablets dated to 2000 BC. It was the capital of Persia during the Zand dynasty from 1750 until 1781 as well as briefly during the Saffarid period. Shiraz is known as a city of poets, literature, wine, flowers and gardens. But from the air, it looks as if brown is the dominant color. How misleading such a first impression can be!
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Waiting in the baggage claim area of Shiraz airport. Something about this image of the mighty Ayatollah Khomeini watching luggage going around in endless circles struck me as being very hilarious.
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As soon as you leave the airport and along the entire main highway into town, row upon row of sobering reminders of the countless hundreds of thousands of young men who were martyred during the Iran/Iraq War.
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Colorful wall paintings found during a random walk in downtown Shiraz.
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The Karim Khan Castle is a citadel located in northeastern Shiraz. It was built from 1766-7 in the shape of a medieval fortress. The design of the citadel combines military and residential architecture, for it was the home of Karim Khan and the military center of the dynasty. At times the castle was used as a prison, but today it is a cultural heritage museum.
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Inner courtyard of the Karim Khan Castle.
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Inside the Karim Khan Castle, sunlight reflects off stained glass windows to create beautiful color mosaic patterns on the floors and walls.
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Baths area inside Karim Khan Castle.
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Gurgling fountain along the outer periphery of Karim Khan Castle.
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Vakil Mosque was built between 1751 and 1773 during the Zand period. Vakil means "regent" which was the title used by Karim Khan, the founder of Zand Dynasty. Shiraz was the seat of Karim Khan�s government and he endowed many buildings during his reign, including this gorgeous mosque.
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Beautiful handicrafts for sale outside the entrance to Vakil Mosque.
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A splash of color amid the black.
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Shia shrines provided some interesting contrasts during our visit to Iran. It was not sure until the very moment we were going inside that we would even be allowed to visit this one; apparently foreigners aren't always permitted to enter. All cameras must be deposited out front but photographs with cellphones are allowed, which makes the whole exercise of surrendering cameras to be rather pointless. But thankfully photographs with phones were allowed so that I could capture a bit of the marvels inside, including the shrine's interior with millions of pieces of mirrors reflecting the light inside.
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Enjoying walking through the streets of Shiraz, checking out locals checking out us.
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The Nasir al Molk Mosque (or Pink Mosque) was built by the order of Mirza Hasan Ali Nasir al Molk, one of the lords of the Qajar Dynasty, between 1876 and 1888. The mosque is known for its extensive use of colored glass in its facade and beautiful pink tiles in its interior design.
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Watching local families shopping along one of the main streets in Shiraz. By law all Iranian women are supposed to have their hair covered when they are out in public, but as these pictures show, many women flaunt the rule pretty openly. Love the fact that the "Hello Kitty" shirt has only one T so you know it's not a legitimate licensed product!
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Iranian leaders, past and present, are always keeping watchful eyes on everyone from various buildings.
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The uniquely-shaped Shiraz Hotel dominates the view in this part of the city.
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Roadside pistachio seller.
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More Iran/Iraq War martyr signage.
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The Tomb of Hafez, built in memory of the celebrated Persian poet. Hafez was born in Shiraz in 1315 and died there in 1390. He is a beloved figure of the Iranian people, who learn his verses by heart. The tradition is to approach the sarcophagus and put two fingers on it to let him know you are there. The tomb, its gardens, and the surrounding memorials to other great figures are a major focus of tourism in Shiraz.
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Ali ibn Hamze Holy Shrine, a memorial to the man martyred in 835 and still revered by Shia Muslims. From the exquisite exterior tilework to the millions of cut mirror pieces that decorate its interior, it was a photographer's dream. Pilgrims enter the shrine to kiss the wall around the tomb.
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Sign atop the Shiraz bus station.
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A few views of the gorgeous desertified countryside on our bus ride outside the city.
