Shiraz, the capital of Fars province is located southwest of Iran at the foot of the Zagros Mountains. Shiraz is one of the oldest cities of ancient Persia and the earliest reference to the city, as Tiraziš, is on Elamite clay tablets dated to 2000 BC. The city has a moderate climate and is the home of beautiful old gardens. During the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, it was the literary capital of Persia. Two of the most famous poets of Iran, Saadi (1184-1292) and Hafiz (1300-1388) are from Shiraz and their venerated tombs are among the top tourist attractions of the city. Hence, many know Shiraz by its beautiful nickname that is “The City of Flowers and Poets”. For many centuries it has been famous for its wines when it was also known as the “City of Wine and Women”. Regardless of its different names, Shiraz is proud of its history, its traditions, its beauties, and above all, its openness. A sample of the spirit of Shiraz is the coexistence between Jewish, Christian, and Muslim communities. Very close to the city is a place that alone is worth a trip to Iran, it is the ruins of Persepolis, one of the places that attract numerous tourists to the country.
Area: 240 km2
Population: 1,565,572
Province: Fars
Other ethnicities: Persian
Language: Persian, Shirazi accent
Tourist attractions:
– Tomb of Hafez (Hafeziyrh)
– Tomb of Sa’ady (Sa’adiyeh)
– Vakil Bazaar, Vakil Mosque, Vakil Bathhouse
– Nasir-ol-Molk Mosque
– Atiq Jame Mosque
– Shah-e Cheragh Shrine
– Arg-e Karimkhany
– Pars Museum (Nazar Garden)
– Eram Garden
– Afif Abad Garden
– Qavam House
– Zinat-ol Molk House
– Quran Gate
– Moshir House
– Narenjestan-e Qavam Garden
– Shapouri Mansion
– Tomb of Khaju-ye Kermani (Khaju Tomb)
– Jahan Nama Garden
– Chehel Tan garden
– Aqa Babakhan School (Vakil School)
– Delgosha Garden
– Tekyeh-ye Haft Tanan Garden
– Salehi House (Iran Museum of Traditional Clothing)
– Ilkhanid Garden Mansion
– Mortaz Ali Well
– Takht Garden (Qaracheh Village) Historic Attractions: Persepolis, Pasargadae, Naqsh-e Rostam, Naqsh-e Rajab, Palace of Ardeshir, Ancient City of Bishapour, Tang-e Chogan Reliefs, Shapur Cave, Abu Nasr Palace (Takht-e Madar-e Soleyman), Bid-e Zard Caravansary, Bajgah Caravansary, Khan-e Zenian Caravansary, Kak’ha Castle, Divdan Caravansary, Samikan Fire Temple
Natural Attractions: Tang-e Dom-e Asb Waterfall, Koumareh Sorkhi Waterfall, Barm-e Delak, Bamu National Park, Shiraz Birds Garden, Pir-e Bonab Natural Spring, Dasht-e Arjan Lake, Maharloo Lake (Mahlou, Mahlouyeh, Jenkal, Salt Lake), Qalat
UNESCO World Heritage sites: Pasargadae, Persepolis