Shiraz: resplendent city of gardens, poetry and Persian culture

In this video we take a pre-Covid look at Iran’s Shiraz, renowned as the site of the graves of poets Hafez and Sa’di – both major pilgrimage destinations for Iranians.

Synonymous with education, nightingales and verse, Shiraz was the heartland of Persian culture for over 2000 years, as well as one of the most important cities in the medieval Islamic world. It served as the Iranian capital during the Zand dynasty (1747-79 AD), during which many of its most beautiful buildings were built or restored.

Today, Shiraz continues to be home to splendid gardens, exquisite mosques and ancient sophistication that reward all who visit. Included among its highlights, are:

• The photogenic Vakil Bazaar, Shiraz’s main market place and home to hundreds of shops and stalls
• Eram Garden, which falls within the campus of Shiraz University
• Shah-e Cheragh (‘King of Light’) Mausoleum, the resting place of two of the brothers of Ali Reza, the eighth Shia Imam.
• Nasir ol-Mulk Mosque, also known as the Pink Mosque, resplendent with stained-glass windows, painted tiles and arches
• The tombs of Hafez and Sa’di, beloved poets of Persian literature
• The UNESCO world heritage site of Persepolis – ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid Empire, razed by Alexander the Great, situated about 70km northeast of Shiraz

View the original video here.

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