#Shiraz is a populous city of #Iran and the capital of #Fars Province. It is located in the southwest of Iran on the “Rudkhaneye Khoshk” seasonal river and has been a regional trade center for over a thousand years. Shiraz is one of the oldest cities in Persia. The earliest reference to the city, as Tiraziš, is on Elamite clay tablets dated to 2000 BC. The modern city was founded by the #Umayyads in 693 AD and grew prominent under the successive Iranian dynasties.
In the 13th century, Shiraz became a leading center of the arts and letters, due to the encouragement of its ruler and the presence of many Persian scholars and artists. It was the capital of Persia during the Zand dynasty from 1750 until 1800. Shiraz is known as the city of poets, literature, and flowers. Two famous poets of Iran, Hafez, and Saadi, are from Shiraz, whose tombs are on the north side of the city. It is also called the city of gardens, due to the many gardens, and fruit trees that can be seen in the city, such as Eram Garden.
Shiraz has had major Jewish and Christian communities. Shiraz s famed for its #handicraft as well as production of cement, sugar, fertilizers, textile products, wood products, metalwork, and carpet making. Shiraz is the birthplace of the co-founder of the #Baháʼí Faith, the Báb or Siyyid ‘Ali-Muhammad. For this reason, Shiraz is a holy city for Baháʼís and the city, particularly the house of the Báb, was identified as a place of pilgrimage. Before the 1979 Revolution the city was famed for the famous #Shirazi grapes and #wine production also. Shiraz is the economic center of southern Iran.
The second half of the 19th century witnessed economic developments that greatly changed the #economy of Shiraz, like the opening of the #SuezCanal in 1869. This made Shiraz a major center for the production of agricultural production. Shiraz is on the main route to #PersianGulf. This allowed #Iranian long-distance merchants from #Fars to develop marketing networks for their commodities, and establish trading houses in #Bombay, #Calcutta, #PortSaid, #Istanbul, and even #HongKong. All this and more make Shiraz a major shopping destination in Iran with numerous #shoppingmalls and #bazaar. The Vakil Bazaar, one of the oldest bazaars in the world, is located in the old city center of Shiraz. Well connected by rail, road and air Shiraz is a major #tourism destination in Iran.
Shiraz is famed for its numerous major #tourist destination that due to their cultural heritage is of global importance. Besides the tombs of Hafiz, Saadi, and Khaju e Kermani; the city is famed for Atigh Jame’ Mosque, the oldest mosque; citadel of Arg of Karim Khan; Qur’an Gate entrance; and Eram Garden. Shiraz is famed for numerous other places that are worth visiting such as Abesh Khatoon Tomb, Seyed Taj-e-din Gharib Tomb Sheykh Roozbahan Tomb, Khan school, Ghal’eye Karim Khan, Christians Church, Mesgarha Bazaar, and Moshir-e-Now Bazaar.
The city is also known as a hub to visit other tourist attractions nearby such as #Margoon#waterfall; #Shapur cave; #Sangtarashan cave; Palace of Ardashir; #Pooladkaf#skiresort; #Sarvestan Palace; Qal’eh Dokhtar; Takht-e-Jamshid or #Persepolis; Pasargad and Maharloo salt lake. Shiraz is also a major center for education and sports. It is also famed for the Shīrāz school of miniature #painting. Shiraz is especially famed for its #restaurants and #Cafe that serve delicious #persian #cuisine at reasonable prices. There are numerous #hotels that offer luxurious, mid-range, and budget accommodation. All this makes Shiraz a must-visit destination on an extended weekend tour.
