A traveller's reflection: 2016 Iran Day 03: Kerman

"The journey of life is not meant to be feared or planned. It is meant to be traveled and enjoyed..."

(The majestic wall of Rayan Citadel)

Day 03: Wednesday, 9 Mar 2016
Kerman Province
Hotel: Iran Tourist Hotel, Kerman

Kerman is the capital city of Kerman Province, the 10th most populous city of Iran. It is the largest and most developed city in the southeast of Iran. It is also one of the largest cities of Iran in terms of area. Kerman is famous for its long history and strong cultural heritage. The city is home to many historic mosques and Zoroastrian fire temples. Kerman is also on the recent list of the world's 1000 cleanest cities. Kerman became capital city of Iranian dynasties several times during its history.

After breakfast, we boarded two buses and started our tour to some of the historical interesting sites around Kerman.

(A very wet morning to start the long trip)

(Beautiful mountain ranges along the way)

(Snow-capped mountains viewed from the highway)

Rayen Citadel, Kerman

It is an adobe castle 100 km south of Kerman province on the skirts of the mountain Haraz. The medieval mudbrick city of Rayen is similar to the Arg-e Bam city which was destroyed in an earthquake in December 2003. Rayen displays all the architectural elements of a deserted citadel. It is extremely well preserved, despite numerous natural disasters that have destroyed similar structures nearby.

(Arriving at the medieval mudbrick city of Rayen)

(Believed to be at least 1,000 years old)

(The outer walls of the castle enclose the main Governor's citadel)

According to the old documents, it was situated on the trade route, and was one of the centres for trading valuable goods and quality textiles. It was also a centre of sword and knife manufacturing, and later on, also guns. During the reign of third Yazdgerd, the Sasanid King, Arabs could not conquer this city due to its high walls supporting the counterparts of the city.

(It is extremely well preserved despite numerous natural disasters)

(Walking along the narrow corridors)

(The roof top, with several steep staircases leading up)

(Most of the houses are dilapidated, a few still stand)

(You can get lost in the maze)

(The biggest earthen structure after Bam Citadel)

(A garden outside Rayen Castle)

Shazdeh Garden, Kerman

Shazdeh Garden, is a historical Persian garden located on the outskirts of Mahan in Kerman province. The garden was originally built for Mohammad Hassan Khan Qajar Sardari Iravani in 1850. It was expanded in 1870 by Abdolhamid Mirza Naseroddoleh which continued during the 11 years of his governorship during the Qajar reign. Its location was selected strategically as it was placed on the route between Bam Citadel and Kerman.

(An entrance structure and gate at the lower level)

(A two-floor residential buiding at the upper level)

The garden itself consists of a variety of pine, cedar, elm, buttonwood and fruit trees which benefit from the appropriate soil, subterranean water canal and suitable weather. The pools around Shazdeh Garden were built in a terraced fashion.

Shazdeh Garden is among the 9 Iranian Gardens which are collectively registered as one of the Iran’s 17 registered World Heritage Sites under the name of the Persian Garden in 2011.

(A restaurant and picnic area at upper level)

(Beautiful flowers of cherry blossom)

Shazdeh Garden is a rectangular shape with a wall around it and surrounded by desert land. It has an entrance and a gate at the lower end and a two-floor residential structure at the upper end. The distance between these two is lined by water fountains. Other than the main residential building, the garden consists of a two-storied building for which the second floor was used as living quarters and for receiving guests. Other smaller utility rooms are situated along the sides of the garden.

We had our lunch at the restaurant in Shazdeh Garden and performed our prayers at the praying hall, used to be a chapel. Ablutions were from the icy cool canal water from the mountains.

Jame Mosque, Kerman

Our next stop was at Kerman Jame Mosque also known as the Friday Mosque. The mosque is one of the most ancient structures in the country. The mosque has a tall gate-way in its eastern sector and adorned with beautiful tile works. There is a clock tower aids in the enhancement of the entrance.

(The main entrance of the mosque with the clock structure)

(The back entrance leads into the grand bazaar)

The Friday mosque is on an important crossroads of mercantile activities connecting north to south and west to east. This location led to the emergence of its famous, vibrant bazaar. The bazaar begins at the Friday mosque's rear portal and extends along the east-west axis, ending at the Arg Square. The Friday mosque is the earliest surviving example of Muzaffarid architecture.

(The couryard of the mosque)

(Ceramic blue tile adorning the walls)

(Quranic verses decorating the mosque)

Ghanjali Khan Compleks, Kerman

The Ganjali Khan Complex is a Safavid-era building complex, located in the old city of Kerman. The complex is composed of a school, a square, a caravanserai, a bathhouse, a water reservoir, a mint, a mosque and a bazaar. Ganjali Khan Complex is centered on a large public square which is aligned with Vakil Bazaar running east-west to its south.

(A busy bazaar but easy enough to navigate)

(The Grand Bazaar is one of the oldest trading centres)

(The main thoroughfare is made up of smaller bazaars)

(Varieties of Spices and nuts on display)

(The main gate leading to the Jameh Mosque)

(The mosque within the Grand Bazaar)

The square is enveloped by bazaar arcades to the north, south and west and is flanked by the Ganjali Caravanserai to the east. The entrance to the Ganjali bathhouse is located along a section of Vakil Bazaar south of the square, known as Ganjali Khan Bazaar. The complex was built in Isfahani style of architecture.