Azadi tower, monument to freedom
The "bell-bottoms" of the Persian Empire blended traditional Iranian features with modern styles from the 60s. The tower stands three meters tall, 50 meters above the ground, with the bottom floor housing the Quran Museum and a cinema. There are elevators and stairs that go directly to the top of the tower, offering a panoramic view of the city. Passing through the bell-bottom-shaped entrance gate is like entering Iran itself.
Golestan Palace
This was once the center of Tehran, witnessing the glory and extravagance of the Qajar rulers. Known as the "Rose Palace" due to the Persian word "Golistan" meaning "rose garden," it is comprised of several buildings, with the Berelian Palace (Talar-e Berelian) built by Naser al-Din Shah being the most exquisite. The dome and walls are adorned with various mirrored pieces, making it a stunning sight.
National jewels, treasure Museum of Iran
Inside the Central Bank of Iran, only accessible through a secret door that leads underground, is the most expensive basement in the world. Here, there are over 40 showcases that house the most precious national treasures of the Iranian royal family from the past few centuries, including everything from jewels, ornaments, weapons, thrones, crowns and court attire. The centerpiece is a 34kg jewel-covered globe made out of pure gold and studded with 51,366 rubies and sapphires. The treasures at the vault leave many museums of other countries lagging behind.
Tehran grand Baza
The Tehran Bazaar is one of the largest and oldest bazaars in the Middle East. Walking through the mosque-like arches, the streets are completely made of stacked stones with "arched domes", which connect with each other through domes. The shops on both sides are abundant with various products, from cheap goods from China to locally valuable handmade carpets. Not only that, but there are also public facilities such as mosques, baths, and restaurants near the bazaar. Enjoy a stroll through the bazaar, attend prayers, take a hot bath, and then enjoy a delicious meal to deeply experience the culture and traditions of Persia.
Masjed-e Nasir "pink" mosque
The Masjid-i-Mokh Mosque, also known as the Pink Mosque, is known as the "most beautiful mosque in Iran". The mosque's entrance is adorned with exquisite copper patterns, and the most stunning aspect is the magical color effect created by the morning sunlight. The light shines through the stained glass and projects onto the colorful and diverse carpets in the hall, creating a perfect combination of patterns and shadows.
Tomb of Hafez
Experience the charm of poetry and wine in medieval Persia. Hafez and Saadi are the pride of Iranian culture and world-renowned poets. Saadi's tomb is located in the northeast of Shiraz. It is designed with simplicity and is a building with Iranian characteristics. It is very suitable to spend an afternoon here. Hafez's tomb is seven kilometers away from Saadi's tomb, and only takes ten minutes by taxi. Hafez's tomb is a modern and minimalist building. You can see many Iranians devoutly kissing the tombstones and reciting loudly next to them, allowing you to deeply feel the poetic country.
Persepolis is Iran's most important archaeological site, built in 520 BC. It was the capital of the Achaemenid Empire and took 70 years to construct over three generations. The site of Persepolis is vast and includes important palaces and tombs such as the Gate of All Nations, the Apadana, and the Tachara. The Apadana is famous for its exquisite reliefs on the staircases and stone columns inside the hall, which could accommodate ten thousand foreign delegates. One interesting detail is that female figures are almost absent in the relief sculptures throughout the site, except for a curled-up female figure on one of the wheel axles. Occasionally, mistakes were made by the workers who built Persepolis, such as carving a soldier's right wrist as the left wrist. The hillside forest contains 5,000 trees, which were purchased from foreign countries by the Pahlavi king in 1971 to celebrate the 2,500th anniversary of the founding of the Persian Empire. However, the extravagant ceremony led to significant discontent. Persepolis is now a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Masjed-e Shah, Imam Mosque
The Imam Mosque is known as the "most beautiful mosque in the world." The mosque features a large number of blue mosaic patterns, combined with symmetrical architecture from the Safavid period, creating a perfect visual spectacle. On the floor directly in front of the dome, there are markings made of black stones, known as "echo stones." Due to the seven levels of echo effect in the dome, one can hear a repeated echo when clapping or shouting while standing underneath.
Kakh-e chehel sotun
The Forty Pillar Palace is located in the king's garden, built by Abbas and was an affiliated building of the square at that time. In front of the palace, there is a 110-meter-long pool with fountains and stone carvings around. The huge and gorgeous portico is supported by 20 hanging wood columns, with 40 columns reflected in the pool. The garden in the palace is an outstanding example of Persian gardens and is also listed as one of the world cultural heritages.
Wangke Cathedral KELISA ye Vank
The southern district of Isfahan is a settlement for Armenian Christians, and the Vank Cathedral is an important historical focus of the Iranian Armenian Church. The exterior of the church is unremarkable, but the interior is beautifully decorated with a blend of multiple styles - Islamic tiles and design, as well as Christian imagery, making it a mishmash of architecture.
33 hole si-o-seh Bridge
Here you can immerse yourself in the most authentic Iranian life. The Thirty-Three Bridges were built during the Abbasid period, lying across the bay of the river, with many Islamic-style archways on both sides. In addition to transportation, they also have many functions such as water diversion, water transportation, banquets, relaxation, and watching performances. They are representative of bridge construction in the Safavid period.
