Iran. Does your mind run a reel of images and sounds of the middle east? There are many amazing places to visit in Iran and to discover its Persian civilizations. Its rich Iranian history. The deserts. The mosques. The namaaz. The hijab. Traditional Irani cuisine and its most celebrated bastani; the saffron flavoured ice cream.
Iran, one of the oldest civilizations birthed, is a country that was once known as Persia. A piece of land that holds an intense story that uplifts you yet weighs you down. A place that was juggled between political systems of dictatorship and democracy. Yet, like a flowing stream of strength, Iran inches towards a better life. Amidst all the blending politics, it endures and tries to build itself again. Even with all the hard notions about Iran being antimodern and uncertain, it holds a unique beauty.
Its smells. Its textures. Its citadels. Its bathhouses. An experience of a walk, in its markets. This article is an outline that fills you with the intricacies of Iran.
Here is a list of 15 places every architect must visit in Iran to expand their travel and design experience.
1. Naqsh-e-Jahan Square | Places to visit in Iran
The beautiful phrase Naqsh-e Jahan translates to the patterns of the world. The square is fringed by buildings of the Safavid era, each having its unique architecture and function. It is a delicately designed gem that shines in Isfahan, constructed between 1598 and 1629 in the edict of Shah Abbas the Great.
The square represents the four main pillars of power with four buildings in the cardinal directions. It is one of the greatest squares of the world that has sustained the strains and stories of its nation for more than 400 years and is currently one of UNESCO’s world heritage sites.
2. Golestan Palace
The Golestan Palace is a heritage site that belongs to the royal Qajar dynasty complex. It is a savoured building of gardens, stained glass, and artifacts from the collection of Iranian crafts and presents from Britain of the 18th-19th centuries. It consists of multiple buildings with differing functions i.e., a marble throne, Pond House, Containers Hall, Ivory Hall, mirror hall, building of wind catchers and a museum of gifts, and many more.
The beauty is concentrated because of its materials and style, and currently, it is an edifice that has lasted 400 years of renovations and preservation.
3. Aali Qapu Palace
An Imperial Palace located to the west of Nashq-e-Jahan served as a grand entrance to the vast palace. It holds a history of being the residence of the Safavid dynasty rulers. It has six floors summing up to a height of 42 meters. Spiral staircases were used for vertical circulation.
The most highlighting feature is the music hall on the sixth floor, it has deep niches on the insides of its roof acting as an acoustic enhancer as well as an aesthetic value-adding element. This regal palace is recognized by UNESCO as a Safavid treasure.
4. Si-o-se-pol Bridge
It is an extensive vaulted arched bridge that spans up to 298 meters in length and is one of the largest bridges laid in Isfahan. The bridge set over Zayanderud, the largest river in the Iranian plateau was built in the Safavid style to function both as a dam and a bridge. It is made of stone and brick and consists of 33 rows of superimposed arches.
The bridge was the focal connecting element between the city’s vital Armenian neighborhood of New Julfa and the mansions of the elite.
5. Chehel Sotoun | Places to visit in Iran
Chehel Sotoun is a structure in Isfahan, placed at the end of a welcoming waterbody. The name Chehel Sotoun translates to forty columns referring to the twenty columns at the entrance along with its reflection in the water, which makes it forty. This pavilion was used for receptions, entertainment purposes and to receive guests from other nations.
It wears many frescos and ceramic paintings, of which a majority of the ceramic elements were invaded by the west. Currently, it is recognized by UNESCO as one of the 9 Iranian gardens.
This Image is showing the Ceiling of it`s main hall.
6. Azadi Tower
The 8000 pieces marble-clad tall tower was designed by Ar. Hossein Amanat, as an embodiment of the 2,500th year of the foundation of the Imperial State of Iran and, was completed in 1971. The structure is located in Azadi square which is also a part of the cultural complex and weighs upon an underground museum as well.
It is 45 meters high and covers up to 68,000 square meters on the ground. The structure is an inverted Y in form and is a combination of traditional Iranian architecture and the modern style.
7. Nasir-Al-Mulk Mosque
A shimmering pink dipping in sunlight, the Nasir-Al-Mulk Mosque is known for its pink interiors. Constructed during the Qajar dynasty(1876-1888, time taken for construction), is a traditional mosque located in Shiraz. Orsi, the stained glass is a defining element jutted between wooden doors that lead to the mosque’s prayer halls.
The stained glass allows natural dancing light to form geometric shapes and ripples and creates a spiritual atmosphere. It is a structure that delivers a message of how something that looks plain on the outside can hold ravishing secrets and colours.
8. Nashq-e-Rostom | Places to visit in Iran
Nashq-e-Rostom literally translates to the throne of Rostom. Cliffs carved with Iranian cut reliefs, from both the Achaemenid and Sassanid periods.
The necropolis is composed of four rock-cut tombs clenching the remains of Achaemenid (c. 550–330 BC) rulers. It has several tombs, inscriptions and elements of religious importance.
9. Sultan Amir Ahmad Bathhouse
Sultan Amir Ahmad Bathhouse is a traditional Iranian bathhouse that covers an area of up to 1000 square meters. The design of the bathhouse (hammam) has two main areas, the garmkhaneh (hot bathing hall) and the sarbineh (dressing hall). An octagonal pool placed at the center of the octagonal hall with 8 pillars from the outer section composes the sabrineh.
The garmkaneh has four pillars with smaller bathing spaces.
The interior of the bathhouse is a palette of paintings, gold tilework, plasterwork, brickwork, and turquoise.
10. Jameh Mosque Of Isfahan | Places to visit in Iran
Jameh Mosque Of Isfahan built in the Umayyad Dynasty is a structure that has withheld numerous renovations, additions, and reconstructions from around 771 to the end of the 20th century. Designed in the four-iwan architectural style, placing four gates face to face.
Iwan is a vaulted open room. Domed chambers, Muqarnas, Ceramic tile works, and Minarets are prevailing elements.
11. Ali Sadr Cave
The Ali Sadr Cave is a natural primitive architectural marvel, the world’s largest water cave. The word sard translates to cold, the cave stretches up to 14km. Excavations and archeologists have sailed to the discovery of ancient artworks, pitchers, and jugs rolling back to 12,000 years ago.
Animals, hunting scenes, arrows complimented by bows are depicted on the walls and passages proving the habitual intelligence of early man. The cave walls have been measured up to 40 meters high, and it has enriched large, deep lakes that can be explored by a boat in the current day.
12. Milad Tower
Tehran tower, the 6th tallest tower is a multi-purpose tower in Tehran. It is designed by Ar. Mohammad Reza Hafezi. The construction began in the year 2000 and took seven years to be completed. It has a floor count of 12 (312.0 meters high), covering 154,000 square meters on the ground.
It is made up of five main parts, the foundation, the transition, shaft, head structure, and the antenna mast. It has an octagonal base signifying traditional Iranian architecture.
13. Bam Citadel | Places to visit in Iran
Bam citadel is a beautiful place that is an apt example of conservation architecture.The entire structure was a large fortress enclosing the citadel yet it is known as the Bam citadel due to its dominance in the context.
History points it back to the Achaemenid Empire (sixth to fourth centuries BC). The citadel consists of four main sections:The citadel gained prominence from the seventh to eleventh centuries, as a junction along the silk road and other important trade routes, and as a producer of cotton garments and silk.
This citadel experienced a brutal earthquake in the year 2003 and was restored to a great degree to preserve the cultural heritage.
14. Hasht Behesht Palace
Hasht Behesht Palace translates to eight heavens was based on the hasht behesht concept, that is its plan had eight rooms surrounding a central hall. It had two main entrances, the structure mainly functioned as a private pavilion.
It is decorated with prismatic mirrors, tilework, plasterwork mural paintings, and perforated woodwork. It has sustained the facts and faces since the 17th century.
15. Shushtar Historical Hydraulic System | Places to visit in Iran
Empires and civilizations revolve around hydraulic systems. As architects, it is important to understand and scrutinize ancient hydraulic systems for a better understanding of treating water. The Shushtar Historical Hydraulic System is considered to be a master plan in the history of water systems. It dates back to the fourth century.
The main principle involved creating a high raised cliff, of which the water would flow down in strong currents. It entailed the creation of 2 main rerouting canals on the river Kârun one of which, the Gargar canal, is still in use supplying water to the city of Shushtar through a series of tunnels.
This was a travel list crafted with research and love. As architects, we have fragile filters. Ready to absorb impressions, learnings, and ideas of places and people. Hope this inspires you to take that travel decision and step out of your comfort zone, many places are waiting to tell you a story and Iran is one story that is beautiful to witness. To be a part of.
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