Shiraz, Iran

Shiraz, Iran

Shiraz Iran

Shiraz is the capital of Fars Province and a historic city long celebrated as the city of poets, wine, and flowers. Known for its Persian verse and its evocative gardens of roses, cypresses, and nightingales, Shiraz was once a capital of the Persian Empire. A settlement existed here as early as the Achaemenid period, and the Sassanian king Ardashir (212–241) held court in the city. Shiraz became a provincial capital around 693 CE and by 1044 was said to rival Baghdad as a major cultural and artistic center. Its rulers wisely paid tribute to invading powers, so the city was spared destruction by the Mongols and by Timur, allowing these periods to become some of the most prosperous in Shiraz’s development. In the 18th century, Shiraz’s modern history was shaped by the Zand Dynasty, when Karim Khan Zand chose it as his capital in 1747. The most notable surviving monuments from this era include the Vakil Mosque and the Arg-e-Karim citadel. Shiraz is also the birthplace of two of Iran’s greatest poets, Saadi and Hafez, both honored with beautiful mausoleums in the city. The most fascinating buildings are found in the old quarter, where you’ll discover numerous mosques—some with bulb-shaped domes, others with pear-shaped domes and cupolas—nestled among traditional houses and narrow lanes, giving Shiraz a distinctive historic atmosphere.
Recommended airport
Shiraz Shahid Dastghaib Intl (SYZ)
Nearby destinations
  • Marvdasht a 38.70 km