Yazd
The City of Wind Catchers

Introduction

Yazd province is located in the central part of Iran, and covers an area of 76,156 square kilometres. It consists of up to ten townships, 21 cities, 19 districts and 51 villages, and neighbours the important provinces of Isfahan, Fars, Khorasan and Kerman. The neighbouring deserts of Kavir-e-Loot, Kavir-e Namak and Dasht-e Kavir, as well as a scanty rainfall give the province a dry climate. The existence of deserts and floating sand are the main geographical features of this province. The inexplicable silence of the deserts attract those who love profound beauties of nature.

There is a variety of climates in this province with altitudes of 850m to 4,055m (Shirkooh, of which peak is snow-covered all the year around). The annual rainfall is between 50 to 100mm. The temperature changes are too much in winter and summer, even at day and night, between +45 to - 20°C, with the average being 11.9 up to 20.7°C. Most of the Yazd province is covered with deserts. The population of the province is about 814,000.

In the past, for obtaining water from underground sources qanats were dug, but now deep wells have replaced them. Qanat is an ingenious ancient method of irrigation system, by which an underground mountain water is tapped and the water channelled down through a series of tunnels to the ground level. In the water, when there is less need for water, it is stored in reservoirs to be used in the summer.

Because of little vegetation, the variety of animal life is not rich, but there are animal and bird species adapted to the circumstances.

Historical Background

With over 3,000 years of history, and possessing shining heritage of ancient culture and civilization during different ages, Yazd area among the ancient lands of the Persia. According to historians, the Yazd city was founded by Alexander, when he constructed a prison and named it such, and in other historians' opinion a city was founded with the name of “Yazdangerd” by command of Yazdgerd I (339-421AD) in the Sassanid era. The name of Yazd comes from this title and it means holy, auspicious and creatable. Greek historians named the ancient city “Isatis,” which was probably over the ruins of the ancient city of “Katteh.” After emergence of Islam in Persia and adhering of Persians to it, Yazd was given the title “Darol'ebadeh.” The geographical features of this region have made people develop special architectural styles. For this reason, in the older part of the city most houses are built of mud-bricks and have domed roofs.

Because of little vegetation, the variety of animal life is not rich, but there are animal and bird species adapted to the circumstances.

These materials served as insulation preventing heat from passing through. Tire existence of special ventilation structures, called wind-catcher (badgir), on the roofs is a distinctive feature of the, architecture of this city. (A wind-catcher is a high structure on the roof under which, in the interior of the building, there is a small pool.)

The majority of the people live in urban areas. Muslims constitute the majority of the population, while Zoroastrians and Jews are the minorities. The language spoken in the province is Persian with a distinctive accent. Yazd is linked to other towns and cities by asphalt roads. Regular flights connect Yazd with Tehran, Isfahan, Kerman, Zahedan and Bandar Abbas. Yazd province is rich in minerals such as iron, lead, zinc, copper and uranium. Although agriculture and animal husbandry are not much prosperous, breeding silkworms and apiculture are prevailing in some districts.

Being an industrial area, Yazd province contains different manufacturing industries, the most important of which is textile industry. Textiles produced in this province are well known throughout Iran and some other countries.

While Yazd is the provincial capital, there are other cities such as Maybod, Taft, Abarkooh, Mehriz, Ardekan and Bafgh.

In the Achaemenid era, this region enjoyed valuable road keepings, post offices and pony expresses. In the old Yazd, road keeping had had such importance that Al-e Mozaffar dynasty attained the reign by road keeping position of Meybod region.

During many centuries, many small and big villages had been constructed, and disappeared in this land. What remaining proudly, among flowing sands of ages and secured from destructive historical events, has been expressive memories of this land's history and its rich culture and civilisation.

Yazd’s Native Culture

Yazd province is one of the oldest and most historic pieces of lands, located among the old and large states of Fars (Pars), Isfahan, Kerman and Khorasan. This land had been an important passage during numerous periods of history. The province had been spared from politically instigated conflicts and wars during Iran’s history. Moreover, arduous roads, shortage of water sources and etc, have been the main hindrances of conquering the area by the some of the big and small governments on borders of the area during the history.

Historical sources certify that rural-sitting has a long background in this area. Manifestations of material and spiritual culture among the native people, and also signs of Mehr (the Sun), Anahita (the goddess of water and fertility), Isatis and the Achaemenid, Alexander prison, huge ancient fortresses and fortifications, numerous shelters, Zoroastrian fire-temples, monuments and memorials of Islamic era such as mosques, Imamzadeh mausoleums, sepulchres and etc, have all been the indicator of culture and civilization of the people in both pre-Islamic and Islamic periods.

Some of the ancient Iranian myths originate from this province. This fact is reflected in the customs add traditions of the people. Most of festivals belong to Zoroastrians, the most interesting of which are seasonal and monthly festivals, such as Nou Rooz and Seheh. Muslims also have their own ceremonies, e.g. wedding ceremonies and ta'ziye. Now-Rooz, the Iranian New Year, being the most important festive occasion, is celebrated by Zoroastrians as well as Muslims.

Handicrafts

Handicrafts is both art and industry, which is made by hand or rudimentary tools, exploiting native raw materials, indicating taste and mental creativity of their makers. The most important handicrafts of the Yazd province are rug, small carpets, Kilim (short-napped coarse carpet), velvet, brocade, Chador Shab, handkerchief, mercerized, Jim weaving (manual cotton cloth weaving), Damask (woven of silk thread), Ejrami (a hand-woven cloth), Dandani or Gol-e Khord (Zoroastrians' material cloth), Kashmir, curtain, Zilou {pile-less carpet), carpet sheet, canvas, bundle, lion-cloth, bathing-flannel glove, saddle-bag, blanket, earthenware, ceramic, mat, tile and Giveh (light cotton summer shoes).

Rug weaving, Kashmir weaving, Zilou weaving, pottery, ceramics and tile making are enjoying special importance among the handicrafts. Confectionery has also a long background in Yazd. Sweets of Yazd are various and famous for their pleasant taste, such as Baghlava (pastry usually cut out in lozenges), Ghottab (a kind of candy), Loz’e Nargil {lozenge shaped confectionery made of coconut), Laz-e Bidmeshk {Egyptian willow or almond), Laz-e Pesteh (pistachio), Pashmak {cotton candy), Nan-Berenji (a kind of rice candy) and Hajji-Badam (confectionary containing shelled almond). Confectioners of Yazd are called “Khalifeh.” These artistic Khalifehs have kept alive a tradition of baking delicious cakes and candies for over 70 years.
Zilu weaving dates back to the Pre-Islamic period, production of ceramic, belongs to 6th or 7th century B.C. and tile making, with 700 years background, are specifically for Meybod.

Some of Yazd’s handicrafts are world-famous including, carpets with charming patterns, pileless carpets, tirma (a kind of cashmere brocaded silk, velvet, blankets, bed-cloths, earthenware, engravings, glassware and leatherwear. Being delicate and beautiful, these handicrafts are suitable to be kept as souvenirs.

The City of Yazd

Situated in a vast dry valley, 677km south of Tehran, Yazd has a dry and semi-dry climate with hot summers and cold winters. In the past, without modern facilities, it was only the clever architecture of the building that enabled the people to tolerate the hot summer. The ventilation structures (wind-catchers) were the most important means by which the interior became cool. These structures still can be seen in the older part of the city. For this reason, Yazd was (and still is) called the city of wind-catchers.

According to some historians Yazd was founded by Yazdegerd I (339-420 AD). The oldest neighbourhood of Yazd is called Fahadan. Being amidst the immense deserts, the Mongols did not capture this city, as a result of which many poets, artists and scholars immigrated to it. During this period numerous schools, mosques and mausoleums were built in Yazd.

At the present time, both traditional handicrafts and modem industries are active in this province. The UNESCO has recognized Yazd as a city having the second oldest architecture all over the world.

Other Cities and Towns

Ardekan
Situated in the heart of the Iranian central desert, 60km northwest of Yazd, this district has the greatest area in the province. It has a dry climate and its greater part is made up of deserts. Recently, measures have been taken to plant bushes and trees in the wastelands, as a result of which in some areas the barren land bas changed into a forest.

In spite of unfavourable natural condition, agriculture -especially gardening is the main economic activity of the people.

Ardekan is the largest centre for raising camels in the Province. Water reservoirs, wind-catchers, houses with high walls and narrow alleys present some of the efforts the people have made to struggle against unsuitable conditions.

The most significant natural attraction of Ardekan is the desert, the mysterious beauty of which attracts many visitors each year. The following include the historical monuments of Ardekan: Jame' mosque, Zir-e Deh mosque, tombs of Imamzadeh Seyyed Mohammd and Seyed Noor-ed-din, the caravansary of Shah Abbas, and holy places of Zoroastrians such as “Pir –e Sabz-e Chek Check” and “Pir -e Harisht.”

Each year many Zoroastrians from other cities and other countries make Pilgrimages to Pir-e Sabz.

Meybod
Located 50km northwest of Yazd, the railway of Tehran-South and the main road of Tehran-Bandar Abbas pass through Meybod. Having a dry hot climate, this town was irrigated by qanats in the distant past.

Today, however, deep wells have replaced qanats. In the south and southwest of Meybod there are mountains covered with snow in the winter, the slopes of which have lush vegetation.

Meybod is a rare example of the ancient Iranian cities. The historical monuments in the town are numerous, among which the following are the most important: Narin Ghal'e (it is one of the few ancient monuments built of mud-bricks), mosques, castles, caravansaries, shrines, mills, water reservoirs and religious centres of Zoroastrians. Each of these places, affording a picture of the ancient Iranian architecture, attracts many visitors. Since this district is abundant in clay, pottery and ceramic industries are active.

Taft
Situated 18km southwest of Yazd, this town is near the main road of Yazd-Shiraz. Being near Mount Shir Kooh, the highest mountain in the province, Taft has a mild climate and its villages are summer residences of many people from other towns. Taft is an important centre for the production of pomegranets (mainly exported to other countries) and breeding silkworms.

Beautiful and lush gardens of the town are worth seeing. The following are its historical sights: Ghadamgah-e-Islamiye, the mausoleum of Sheykh Joneyd, and the mosques of Sheykh Ali Baliman and Shah Vali.

Abar Kooh
Located 140km south of Yazd, the main road of Yazd-Shiraz passes through Abar Kooh. It is hot and dry in the summer and cold and dry in the winter. Dating back to several hundred years ago, this town was on the main road which linked China to Europe. The Jame' mosque and a 4500 year old cypress tree are among the sights of this town.

Mehriz
Made up of flat lands, this town is situated 30km south of Yazd. Because of good soil, most people are engaged in agriculture. Gharbal Biz, one of the springs watering the town, is a sight to see. The following include the other sights: the Jame' mosque, the ancient castle of Mehriz, a cave located in Befroo’iyeh and the spring of Ab-Ali.

Bafgh
Located 120km south of Yazd, this town is hot and dry in the summer, but in the winter it is milder than the other towns of the province. The railway of Tehran-Kerman passes through this district.

Most of the people are engaged in agriculture. The 1% qanats through which the underground water was channelled to the town, indicated the great efforts that the people made to struggle against unfavourable conditions.

Consisting of narrow alleys with high walls, the central part of the town has an old structure. Imamzadeh Abdollah, Jame' mosque, Pir-e-Morad and Piroozy spring are among tourist attractions. Saffroon cultivated in Bafgh is of the highest quality.

Zoroastrians' Fire Temple and Catacomb

The Yazd province is home to the largest population of Zoroastrians in Iran. Zoroast was the ancient prophet of Persians, who had brought a religion, Zoroastrism, based on humanity and goodwill, which is still very alive. Catacomb means Cemetery of Geber in the Persian culture. Two catacombs are located on a high hill, about Safaieh district, in the south end part of Yazd city. The old one is known as Hanjaki Hatria (Indian extraction Zoroastrian), and newer one as Golestan. There is a stony hole between these two where Zoroastrians bury their dead. The diameter of Golestan catacomb is 25m and height of the wall is 6m, from the hill level. The diameter of Hanjaki catacomb is 15m.

These constructions are very important to the Zoroastrians, and normally include a building and beautiful gardens. They house the Holy Fire, which is cherished by Zoroastrians, and have been alight for over 1500 years. The Fire is kept in a case higher than the ground, far from sunshine. There are rooms for rituals around the monuments.

Chekchekou or Pir-e Sabz

This Zoroastrian shrine is located between the mountains of Ardakan and Anjireh in Tabas Rd, 48krn to Yazd. Built inside a hill wall, it is encircled by evergreen trees. A large round pool increases its attractiveness. In the Fire- Temple there is a fire having been burning since 700 years ago, around which there are rooms for blessing. Plinth courses and the capitals of the pillars with beautiful relieves are eye-catching. The architecture of this historical monument is to some extent similar to the architecture of the Zoroastrian fire- temple in India.

A narrow flow of water is pouring down from gaps of green rocky mountains and this is why it has been known as Chekchek (drop by drop). Zoroastrians of Iran and the world call this place Pir-e Sabz, and they get to gather to do their rites and vows and also reside there, circadianly, from 24 June to 1 July of every year. A few buildings and reservoirs have been constructed in this place that the oldest one belongs to the era of Naser-al din Shah from Qajar dynasty.

Engravings of Mount Arnan’s Slate

Arnan slate and its engravings is among the Yazd’s artistic ancient works. At the first look, this slate draws two distinct scenes of a hunt. At top right, there is a large picture of a wild animal, attacking, and a man against it, who has been attacked, probably. A man with a spear in his hand and special body armour attacked and pushed the spear into the animal. The drawn lifestyle of this picture is interesting for the viewer. It shows that primitive people had indeed lived in this area of Yazd province.

Wind Catchers

Wind catchers (Badgirs), in the shape of square or octagon and staircase, are the most beautiful elements of old and, sometimes, new buildings of the cities of Yazd and Ardakan (the second most important city in the province). The wind catcher of Mohammad Hossein Jaame' mosque is one of them.

Other historic places and tourist attractions of the Yazd province include Kalmand – Bahadoran Sanctuary, the ingenious aqueducts, Kabir Jame’ mosque, Amir Chakhmagh complex, Mulla Ismail mosque, Shah Tahmasb mosque, Imamzadeh Jafar mausoleum, Old Fortifications of Yazd City, Chehel Mehrab mosque, Seyed Shams-al din mausoleum, Seyed Rokn-al dim mausoleum, Sheikh Ahmad Fahadan mausoleum, Shahzadeh Fazel Shrine, Arab-ha House, Malak-ol-Tojjar House, Zia’ieh House, Khan Bath, Dolat Abad garden, Shesh Badgiri reservoir, Khan Bazaar, Zargari Bazaar, Sa’at Square, Taft town, Shah Vali mosque, Sheikh Ali Baliman monastery, Mobarakeh village, Sanij & Bardestan, Mount Oghab (an Eagle look-alike rock), Ardakan town, Saeeda Bath, Ardakan’s wind catchers, Pir-e Harisht, Kharanagh, Aghda, Meybod, Narin castle, Pigeon Tower, Mehrjerd, 4000-year old Cypress tree of Abarkooh, Mud Bricj icehouse of Abarkooh, Tabas, Ashkar, Bafgh and many more.