Yazd is a land of qanats, windcatchers, and peaceful alleyways. It is a desert land that holds a history of several thousand years.
History
Yazd is an ancient word that derives from "Yasht," "Yasn," or "Yazt," which is closely related to concepts of worship and devotion. Yazd is the land of artifacts you can see everywhere in the province. Fascinating among them are the inscriptions of Mount Arnan, the decorated pottery of Narin Castle in Meybod, inside which the architectural remains found.
Geography
Yazd is a province located in the center of Iran, bordered to the north by Razavi Khorasan, northwest by Semnan, west by Isfahan, east by South Khorasan, south by Fars, and southeast by Kerman. The aridity of the province has resulted in agriculture being prevalent only in certain areas. Some of the province's products include pomegranates, pistachios, grains, cotton, sugar beets, sesame, and dates from Bafgh.
Yazd Province is home to specific animal species, leading to a significant portion of the province being designated as hunting prohibited and protected areas. Persian ibex, caracal, sand cat, desert hedgehog, black-bellied sandgrouse, and Asiatic cheetah inhabit this region.
Climate
Being situated on the world's dry belt, this province experiences dry, hot, and lengthy summers and cold, relatively humid winters. The period from early March to early April, when the weather is moderate, is considered an appropriate time to visit the cities of this province.
Cities of Yazd Province
Most cities in this province have a long history and significant archaeological sites. Yazd, Meybod, Ardakan, Mehriz, Taft, Abarkuh, Ashkezar, and Bafgh are some of these desert cities.
Yazd
Yazd, the world's first adobe city, is the first city in Iran to be registered on UNESCO List. Its untouched traditional texture attracts many Iranian and foreign tourists. There are multiple narratives about the founding of Yazd; some attribute it to Alexander the Great, while others to Yazdegerd I. The Greeks mentioned this city in their books as "Isatis."
The water reservoirs are part of the city's attractions; the Shish Badgiri Ab Anbar (water Reservoir) and Ab Anbar Rostam Giv are examples of these ancient structures. Other notable attractions in the city include Bahram Fire Temple, Amir Chakhmaq Complex, Markar Museum, House of Arts, Ziyaiyeh School or Zendan-e Eskandar (Alexander's Prison), Water Museum, Lari House, Kabir Jama Mosque, Khan Bazaar, Heydarzadeh Ethnography Museum, Dolat-Abad Garden, and Abol Ma'ali Bathhouse.
Meybod
Meybod is a desert city of great historical significance and is famous as the Wolrd city of Zilou. Some historical writings consider Meybod as the first place of sedentary life in central Iran.
Narin Castle, attributed to the Parthian period, the Mehrjerd Citadel, Pigeon Tower, Shah Abbas Caravanserai, Chapar Khaneh, Kolar Water Reservoir, Purya-ye Vali Zoorkhaneh (traditional gymnasium), Zilou and Pottery Museum, Salar Historical House, Barchin Castle, Jamah Mosque, and Adobe Ice House are among the important attractions of this city.
Ardakan
Ardakan is an industrial area hosting large iron and steel industries. It is also reputed in terms of pistachio, pomegranate, and almond production.
Some historians date the city's history back to the Islamic era, while its name refers to the ancient and Zoroastrian languages. A narrative reads that "Ard" means sacred and "kan" refers to a place. Thus, the construction of this city may be attributed to Zoroastrians.
Siahkooh National Park – the only national park in Yazd Province, Arjenan Tower Caravanserai, Ethnography Museum, Ardakan Jamah Mosque included in the National Heritage List, Bazaar, Taqdiri Historical House, Sanaie Historical House, Zoroastrian Pilgrimage Site of Pir-e Herisht, Kharanagh Castle and Shaking Minaret, Pir-e Sabz in Chak Chak, and Ardakan City Park are some of the natural and historical attractions in this city.
The Zoroastrian quarter in Sharifabad is also a suitable place for strolling, visiting Zoroastrian houses, and the Ardakan Fire Temple.
Mehriz
The Zein-o-din Caravanserai, located about 30 kilometers from Mehriz, dates back to the Safavid era. The structure is round and it now serves as a traditional hotel welcoming tourists.
Bagh-e Bahar Jamah Mosque, the ancient village of Saryazd, Sanambar Mansion, and the historical castle of Saryazd, dating back to the Sassanian period, are some of the attractions in Mehriz. Additionally, the ancient caravanserai, Robat-e-No Caravanserai, Chapar Khaneh, Madrasi Garden, Paye Borj Ab-Anbar, Saryazd Grand Mosque, Mehrpadin Castle, Lower Khormiz Castle, Arnan Rock Petroglyphs, Pire-Naraki Shrine, Bagh Ahoo Tourism Garden, and Sarooi Cypress, which is over a thousand years old, are some of the sights making Mehriz an amazing destination to tourists.
Accommodations
Among the hotels in Yazd, the Parsian Hotel in Safaieh, Daad Hotel, Moshir al-Mamalek Garden Hotel, Arg Hotel, Baghsara Hotel, Kariz Hotel, and Ardakan Tourist Guesthouse, as well as Haji Malek Hotel in Meybod, are suggested options for hosting tourists. Yazd Province has many eco-lodges, including the Khaneh Kheshti Ecolodge and Tarooneh traditional accommodation in Yazd, Shirin and Farhad Eco-lodge in Meybod, Saray-e Behesht Eco-lodge in Bafgh, and Mah Bibi and Shabestan Eco-lodge in Ardakan.
Local Cuisine
The traditional dishes and delicacies of this ancient province are abundant. Shooli Ash, served with vinegar or pomegranate paste, is particularly famous in Yazd and among tourists. Yazdi wheat soup, also known as Imam Hussein Ash, is made from various legumes and has many fans. Other traditional dishes in this province include Plum Ash, Verjuice Ash, Mung bean Ash, Pumpkin Ash, Pomegranate Ash, Chickpea Qeymeh (a type of stew), Quince-Plum Stew, Yazdi Pumpkin Stew, Split pea meatballs, Chickpea meatballs and more.
Restaurants
Termeh and Toranj Restaurant in Yazd offers excellent kebabs. Marco Polo Restaurant in the Hotel-e Shargh serves delicious kebabs with a pleasant view offering tasty lentil soup to travelers. Adasi Cafe in Yazd specializes in lentil dishes and has been popular for its 60-year-old history. Yazd Hall or Agha Cafe also serves delicious Iranian dishes, and its popularity has made it quite crowded. Shah Abbasi Restaurant insid Shah Abbasi Caravanserai, Meybod, dating back to the Safavid era, Traditional Hotel Restaurant Haji Malek, and Golshan Traditional Restaurant in Meybod also have their own followers.
Handicrafts
Meybod is one of the largest producers of pottery and ceramics in Iran. One can see patterns of birds, fish, and sun on the glazed and unglazed pottery of this region. Other handicrafts of this province include Darayi Bafi (a type of fabric used for making quilts, bedspreads, etc.), Terme (a type of weaving), Shamad (a type of weaving), Zilu weaving, and the production of Chador Shab.
Souvenirs
Yazd Province is famous for its food and sweet snacks. Ardakan Halva, famous Yazdi cake, Qottab, Baghlava, Pashmak, Noghl, Haji Badoum sweets, rice bread, Ardi Sohan (flour sweets), Loz (Bidmeshk Loz, almond Loz, and coconut Loz), Panjereh sweets, and Sorouk bread are some of the delicious sweets and snacks of this province.
Customs and Traditions
Like other provinces in Iran, Yazd has many rituals and customs, the most interesting of which are related to the time of Ashura. Many tourists visit the province during these days to witness the mourning ceremonies. Ta'ziyeh recitation is still held in some cities of the province, especially Meybod. The people of Meybod also have a gathering called Shah Hasan and Shah Hussein, which begins two days before Muharram. In this event, the distance from Mahdiyeh Meybod to one of the shrines is cleaned with water, and people hold each other's belts in a circle calling the names Shah Hasan and Shah Hussein.
