Top 10 Places to Visit in Yazd
Best Places to Visit in Yazd
Yazd, the city of the windcatchers and the adobe houses, is located in the central part of the Iranian plateau, on the edge of the Kavir and Lut plains. This region is one of the ancient lands of the Iranian tribes and has a brilliant heritage of ancient culture and civilization dating back three thousand years ago.
Moreover, Yazd is the second historic city and the largest city in the world, which has also been registered by UNESCO.
In this article, we introduce the top 10 places to visit in Yazd and the information you need to know about these attractions as a tourist.
So stay with us and if you have any questions about the attraction of Yazd and visiting Iran in general, do not hesitate to contact us.
Yazd Saheb al-Zaman Zurkhaneh
Zurkhaneh (traditional Iranian gym) is one of the unique attractions of Iran that you will not find anywhere else. One of the most famous zurkhanehs in Iran is located in the historical city of Yazd. Saheb al-Zaman Zurkhaneh, in the Amir Chakhmaq neighborhood, hosts many Iranian and international tourists visiting ancient Persian sports.
Interestingly, this Zurkhaneh was used to be a 500 years old water reservoir (Aab Anbar).
Actually, Zurkhaneh sports include a set of Ancient sports done with unique customs and traditions that have been common in Iran since ancient times. The German Brookhouse encyclopedia introduces the sport of Zurkhaneh as the oldest bodybuilding sport in the world. Zurkhaneh sports’ tools dramatically resemble ancient military equipment.
A person called Morshed melodically recites heroic stories while biting a special percussion. On the other hand, the sportsmen perform rhythmic movements in the field.
Why You Should Visit Yazd Saheb al-Zaman Zurkhaneh
- By visiting Zurkhaneh, you can claim to have seen a special and unique attraction in Iran.
- Since Zurkhaneh is open until about 9 pm, you can visit this place at night when other historical attractions are closed.
- Zurkhaneh is one of the best places to get in touch with local people and learn more about their customs.
- Zurkhaneh Saheb-al-Zaman is located in the historical context of Yazd and close to other main attractions.
Tower of Silence (Zoroastrian ِDakhmeh)
The Zoroastrian ِDakhmeh, also known as the Tower of Silence, is located 15 km southeast of Yazd on the Dakhmeh mountain. It is one of the exceptional places to visit in Yazd.
Dakhmeh was a circular space built on top of a high mountain away from the villages. From ancient times until a few decades ago, Zoroastrians buried their dead in these places after performing special ceremonies and rituals. They considered the world to be composed of the four elements of water, fire, soil, and air. Therefore they believed burning or burying the dead caused these elements’ contamination. So they took the corpses to Dakhmeh to be eaten by vultures and other predators. After that, during special ceremonies, they buried the bones.
Why You Should Visit Tower of Silence (Zoroastrian ِDakhmeh)
- It is one of the unique tourist attractions of Iran.
- The Tower of Silence shows the burial customs of Zoroastrians in the past.
- From the top of the Tower of Silence, you will see a fascinating view.
Yazd Water Museum
The Water Museum of Yazd, located on the north of Amirchakhmaq Square, reviews the history of several thousand years of water in Iran. Yazd Water Museum was established in the Kolahdoozha historic house and is now one of the world’s best water museums.
What distinguishes the Yazd Water Museum from other water museums is the passage of an old Qanat (karez) through it; A karez that supplied the water for desert inhabitants more hundreds of years ago.
On the five floors of this museum, you can see various objects and tools related to water, Qanat digging equipment in the past. Also, you can see the documents of the main aqueducts of Yazd in this museum.
It is noteworthy that the Iranian aqueduct is on the UNESCO list.
Why You Should Visit Yazd Water Museum
- It is one of the best water museums in the world.
- Yazd Water Museum is a place to watch the history of several thousand years of water in Iran.
- It is located in the historical part of Yazd near Amirchakhmaq Square.
- This museum has been set up in one of the historical houses of Yazd.
Ziaieh School (Alexander Prison)
Ziaieh School is located in the old neighborhood of Fahadan in the historical city of Yazd. About 8 centuries ago, talented architects built this school with bricks and mud. The 18-meter brick dome of this building with the decorations of the plaster and the azure watercolor painting stands on the height of this building, and porches have been built around the school. Besides, there is a windcatcher over a room that cools the air in the building. There is a well in the middle of the yard, which goes to a basement with five meters deep. There is a small pool in the middle of the basement which is considered as one of the remnants of the original building and was used to supply water.
Currently, there are attractive handicraft shops in this place where you can see the production process of handicrafts. In addition, there is a small museum where inscriptions and tombstones are kept.
Locals believe that this building was once a prison, and it is also called Alexander Prison.
Why You Should Visit Ziaieh School (Alexander Prison)
- Alexander Prison or Ziaieh School is very famous due to its obscure history.
- Attractive handicraft shops are running in this place where you can also see the production process of the handicrafts.
- This building is located in the Yazd historical city near other cultural attractions of the city.
Dowlat Abad Garden
Dowlat Abad Garden is one of the top places to visit in Yazd and has been registered as one of the 9 Iranian gardens on the UNESCO World Heritage List. This beautiful garden, located in the Chahar Minar neighborhood, is one of the oldest gardens in Yazd.
Besides, Dowlat Abad Garden is one of the largest gardens in Iran, with an area of about 6.4 hectares and full of trees, which was built in the Zandieh period.
Moreover, what makes this garden one of the most famous Iranian gardens is its high windcatcher, the tallest windcatcher in the world, with about 34 meters. Another feature of this windcatcher is its octagonal shape, which can take the wind from any direction and direct it to the mansion beneath. On the other hand, there is a pond under this windcatcher in front of the mansion that cools down the air. In other words, the combination of wind blowing over the water of the pond and the wind directed from the windcatcher transfer the cold air to the royal part and the halls. Consequently, this building is also called the summer mansion.
Why You Should Visit Dowlat Abad Garden
- Dowlatabad Garden is one of the 9 Persian gardens whose name is on the UNESCO World Heritage List and has an international reputation.
- This garden houses the tallest windcatcher in the world and is remarkable in terms of architecture.
- Stunning nights in this garden await you.
- One of the most beautiful governmental and historical buildings of Yazd is located in this garden.
Yazd Fire Temple
The Zoroastrian Fire Temple in Yazd is the Zoroastrian shrine and the place where the holy Zoroastrian fire is kept. This fire temple dates back to the Pahlavi era (1925 -1979); However, its sacred fire has been lit for more than 1,500 years. In fact, the fire in the Zoroastrian fire temple of Yazd is one of the three ancient and sacred fires of the Zoroastrians from the Sassanid period.
Along with being one of the top 10 places to visit in Yazd, Fire Temple is an example of the coexistence of different religions in Iran. This fire temple was registered on the list of national monuments of Iran in 1999, and since then the tourists can visit this attraction.
Why You Should Visit Yazd Fire Temple
It is one of the most important Zoroastrian centers in Iran and one of the significant tourist attractions in Yazd.
It houses a sacred fire with more than 1500 years of antiquity.
There, you will get acquainted with the Zoroastrian customs.
It has a pleasant and relaxing atmosphere.
Tips about Visiting Yazd Fire Temple
The visitors should enter this sacred place with clean clothes.
Do not forget to respect the beliefs and customs and keep the sanctity of this holy place.
Visitors to the fire temple can see the ever-blazing fire from behind a glass wall. No one should approach this sacred fire; Because it is believed that the human breath contaminates it.
Jameh Mosque of Yazd
Many of the top places to visit in Yazd are historical monuments; buildings with unique Iranian architecture, each of which tells an audible narrative of the history of this city. One of the most famous of these historical monuments is the Jameh Mosque of Yazd.
Yazd Jameh Mosque is a combination of three mosques that have been formed in different historical periods. The original building of the mosque was built on a Sassanid fire temple. This rich historical and cultural background, along with the mosque’s spectacular architecture and magnificent decorations, have made it one of the most beautiful historical mosques in Iran.
Moreover, the 900-year-old Yazd Jameh Mosque is located in the Fahadan neighborhood in the Yazd historical context.
The main plan of the mosque is square, which is an imitation of the plan of the Kaaba in Mecca. Furthermore, the architectural style of the Grand Mosque is Iranian-Mongol style, examples of which can also be found in Herat and Bukhara.
Why You Should Visit Jameh Mosque of Yazd
- Jameh Mosque of Yazd is one of the glorious monuments of the Islamic period of Iran.
- Its minarets, with a height of about 52 meters, are among the tallest minarets worldwide
- The precision and elegance used in its decorations and tiles are unparalleled.
- The construction of the Yazd Grand Mosque has been done during 100 years.
- The lighting in this mosque is done by the white color of the plaster wall
Historical Bazaars in Yazd
Since Yazd is an ancient city on the old commercial roads such as the Spice Road, markets were considered vital and played an essential strategic role in the historical context of Yazd.
The old bazaars of Yazd with their original Iranian-Islamic architecture, beautiful minarets, and windcatchers consist of several rows of bazaars, Timcheh, Sara, mosque, school, Hosseinieh, square, caravanserai, water storage, and exciting workshops. In addition to the commercial aspect, Yazd bazaars are among the top places to visit in Yazd.
These markets are the best places for buying colorful Iranian traditional handicrafts such as fabrics and carpet, golds, and Yazdi sweets.
The most important historical bazaars in Yazd are as follows:
Yazd Khan Bazaar: Khan Bazaar, dating back to the Qajar era, being 274 meters long and 4 to 6 meters high, is the longest, widest, and most famous bazaar of Yazd. The Khan complex also includes Hosseinieh, water storage, and baths.
Haji Ghanbar Bazaar: Haji Ghanbar Bazaar is the oldest market in Yazd and belongs to the 15th century AD. This bazaar includes a collection of shops below and around Amir Chakhmaq Hosseinieh. Also, this small market has a beautiful tiled entrance.
Tabrizian Bazaar: Tabrizian Bazaar belongs to the Qajar period and is 59 meters long. Its building is made of clay, mud brick, and plaster, and its vaulted roof, which is decorated with crescent-shaped arches, is spectacular.
Zargari Bazaar: Yazd Zargari Bazaar, or goldsmith bazaar, belongs to the 18th and 19th centuries and, like the architectural style of Tabrizian Bazaar, has a roof with arches, crescents, and skylights.
Yazd Zargari Bazaar has 53 shops selling famous and unique 20-carat Yazdi gold, which dazzles the eyes of every passer-by.
Panjeh Ali Bazaar: Panjeh Ali Bazaar, known as Yazd Copper Bazaar, is 600 years old and belongs and still retains its old traditional texture.
All kinds of copper and metal structures such as decorative handicrafts, kitchen utensils, and agricultural tools are made and sold in this market.
Why You Should Visit Historical Bazaars in Yazd
They are the best places to buy different kinds of Iranian souvenirs
Bazaars are ideal sites to get involved with the locals’ daily life.
Yazd Bazaars are located in the old context of Yazd, near many attractions and hotels.
Amirchakhmagh Square
Amirchakhmagh Square, one of the top 10 places to visit in Yazd, has been registered in the list of national monuments of Iran. This square dates back to the Timurid dynasty (1370–1506) and houses a collection of different monuments such as a bazaar, Takiyeh (a religious building), mosques, caravanserais, and water storages.
Also, there is a large pool with a fountain and several sculptures that indicate the role and importance of water in the desert city of Yazd.
In addition, this square is the symbol of Yazd city and a place for holding various ceremonies and gatherings. One of the most famous religious rituals, held every year during the month of Muharram in this square, is the Nakhl Gardani (palm carrying) ceremony.
Although you can visit this attraction at any time of the day or night, its special lighting shows a different appearance during the night.
Why You Should Visit Amirchakhmagh Square
This square is the main plaza and the most important attraction of Yazd, the first city in Iran on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Amirchakhmaq Square is a fabulous destination for sightseeing, buying Iran souvenirs, and enjoying the nightlife.
Around this square are the historical context of Yazd and many of its main tourist attractions.
Nakhl Gardani, one of the beautiful rituals of the Ashura ceremony, is also held in this historical square.
The Historic City of Yazd
The Historic City of Yazd is an ancient city that can be called the “Diary of Iranian History.” It is the second most ancient city in the world after Venice, Italy. The archaeological evidence dates this desert city to before the third millennium BC.
Historians also consider Yazd the safest historical city in Iran because of its geographical location, which has protected it from natural disasters and wars.
Along with its antiquity, preserving the historical context and traditional culture make Yazd unique worldwide.
Yazd is the first city made of raw clay in the world, and its historical texture has been registered in the UNESCO list. This unique historical context includes many old neighborhoods, i.e., Fahadan neighborhood (the oldest neighborhood in Yazd), Koocheh Biuk Alley, Lab-e Khandagh, Khorramshah, Yaghoubi, etc. These neighborhoods house most of the top places to visit in Yazd.
Moreover, in the Yazd historical city, one of the most important places of interest is the rooftop cafes. There you can treat yourself to a cup of tea, which is usually served with hard candy and Yazdi baklava. This is one of the most beautiful frames you can keep in your mind from Yazd; An infinite blue over your head and brick houses and windcatchers far and near in front of your eyes.
Why You Should Visit The Historic City of Yazd
- It is the oldest adobe city in the world.
- You can see the fantastic ancient desert architecture that is UNESCO heritage in this place.
- This old city houses several historical neighborhoods and many of the top 10 places to visit in Yazd.
- There are many cozy and beautiful accommodations in this town.
If you have any other information about the best places to visit in Yazd or have any questions, please leave your comments.
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