2016 Iran Day 05: Yazd - Shiraz

"The beautiful journey of today can only begin when we learn to let go of yesterday..." - Dr Steve Maraboli

(A magnificent ruins rest at the foot of Kuh-e Rahmat)

Day 05: Friday, 11 Mar 2016
Route: Yazd – Shiraz
Distance: 450 km
Hotel: Ario Barzan Hotel, Shiraz

Today we travelled by bus from Yazd to Shiraz. On the way to Shiraz we stopped at Damshir for comfort break and a visit to an old caravanserai and Masjid Jame Damshir. We stopped for lunch at a Pasargarde Tourism Restaurant and performed our prayers there.

(Breakfast at the hotel restaurant)

Shiraz is the fifth most populous city of Iran and the capital of Fars Province. Shiraz is located in the southwest of Iran on the Roodkhaneye Khoshk, the Dry River. It has a moderate climate and has been a regional trade center for over a thousand years. It is regarded as one of the oldest cities of ancient Persia.

(Taking the highway to Shiraz) 

(The speed limit for heavy vehicles)

(Crossing barren land and desert)

(Stopping for comfort break after a long journey)

(The ladies queuing in line for the washroom) 

(Jame' Mosque of Dehshir)

(An old caravanserai in the vicinity)  

(Pistachio orchards along the highway)

(Snow covered mountain range)

(The highway crossing the barren land)

Persepolis, Shiraz

Persepolis also known as Takht-e Jamshid, literally meaning ‘city of Persians’ was the ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid Empire. Persepolis is situated 60 km northeast of the city of Shiraz. The earliest remains of Persepolis date back to 515 BCE. It exemplifies the Achaemenid style of architecture. UNESCO declared the ruins of Persepolis a World Heritage Site in 1979. It was built on an immense half-artificial, half-natural terrace, where the king of kings created an impressive palace complex inspired by Mesopotamian models.

(Ticket booth and souvenir shops)

(The path leading to the ruins area)

(The city was constructed by Darius the Great)

(A gigantic sculpted winged bulls)

(Astonishing slender tall columns)

(The many archways)

(The seat of government of Achemenid Empire)

(The statue of the Zoomorphic griffin)

(A lone visitor at the ruins entrance way)

(Walking among the ruins of Persepolis)

(A guided tour around the site)

(A large junk of stone block)

(A famous bas-relief on the wall)

(The many bas-relief on the walls)

(Ruins of the Tachara)

(Capturing the right angle of the ruins)

(The last section of the ruins)

(The dry river of Shiraz)

(Arriving at the hotel during dusk)

(Hand-woven carpet framed on the wall)

          2016 Iran Trip: 06 Shiraz – Isfahan👉

👈2016 Iran Trip: 04 Kerman - Yazd