Being an ancient country with plenty of very old monuments to offer to its visitors, Iran stands among the top cultural tour destinations. Some of them are already enlisted at UNESCO's world human heritage and some other ones are documented and waiting for such recognition.
As the advent of Islam and Arabs' invasion is a landmark in Iranian history and as the architecture of the monuments has been largely influenced due to such a change, this article will introduce you only to the monuments remained from post-Islam period.
Nain Friday mosque
As one of the earliest mosques ever built in Iran before the concept of symmetry was entirely internalized in Islamic architecture, Nain Friday mosque has been inspired by the architecture of Sassanians. Iranian architects built structures with similar brick arrangements to decorate exterior and plaster-work embellishment to decorate inside the buildings.
Yazd Friday Mosque
With the tallest minarets in Iran, 53 meters, Yazd Friday mosque took 40 years to be constructed. The mosaic works applied to the southern ivan and portal of the mosque is one of the best examples of Ilkhanid period. The various shades of blue color applied to the facade of the portal is unique and striking.
Soltaniyeh
With a 50-meter tall domed chamber and largest Islamic dome in the world for several centuries, Soltanieh is a mausoluem built by Oljayto, the Ilkhanid king near Zanjan in Iran. Many scholars believe that he was finally buried at that structure although it was built for another purpose.
Shiekh Lotfollah Mosque
This mosque is a private one constructed by Shah Abbas the first for his family members who could walk through a corridor from under the opposite structure, Aliqapu palace, to the basement of this palace.
Imam Khomeini Mosque
Shah Abbas the first has ordered this Friday mosque to be built at Naqsh-e-Jahan square. According to many experts in Iranian studies, this mosque is one of the masterpieces of Islamic architecture in Iran, which has been built in Isfahan.
Chehel Sotun Palace
The structure in the middle of a typical Persian garden is built by Shah Abbas the second as his administration edifice. The huge pool in front of it helps the reflection of portico columns and doubles the number of them from 20 to 40. That is why it is called forty-column palace.
AliQapu Palace
The high-rise of Safavid period in Isfahan, the capital city of Shah Abbas the first, Aliqapu palace was built overlooking Naqsh-e-Jahan square. From up there, ambassadors, governors, kings and any other officials visiting Persian capital city could see the flourishing economy of the country.
Gonbad e Qabus
This tomb tower is one thousand year old and totally built by baked bricks. Under Zyarids, this tower was ordered to be built 3 km north of the ancient city of Jorgan.
Sio-Se-Pol
This is the longest bridge on Zayandeh rood, which is the river snaking through Isfahan. It was built under Shah Abbas the first to connect Chahar Bagh Street on both sides of the river. There are 33 arches along this bridge that were built so solidly that the structure could also be used for blocking the water.
Khajou Bridge
Built under Shah Abbas the second, this bridge is meant to be used both as a bridge to connect Khajou street on northern bank of the river to the other side and as a water damn to raise the water level. The accessible water could then be used to irrigate royal gardens.
Golestan Palace Complex
As the best example of Qajar period architecture, there are several structures constructed during the reign of Qajar kings. The mirror works as well as tile works applied on these palaces are very spectacular. No other such compound can be found anywhere else in Iran as Tehran was the capital city of these kings.
Conclusions
Sometimes, a tomb decoration, a hunting mansion, etc could also be very eye-catching and beautiful to a visitor, but the list here refers to some of the most famous monuments that are in good condition and usually on the routes of the main towns and cities of Iran. To be able to visit lots of Iran tourist attractions, you need to travel to Iran yourself and spend some time on a well-planned tours so that you can make the most of your stay in this country.
Destination Iran provides Iran visa services for you to travel to Iran and visit the highlights of the country. Remember that you need a well-planned itinerary for your journey. Learn more at: http://www.destinationiran.com
Showing posts with label middle east. Show all posts
Showing posts with label middle east. Show all posts
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Thursday, June 11, 2009
What Can Israel Offer Tourists?
Israel's summer months, which occur during the winter for Australians, are completely dry. If you are coming for the sun, beaches and water sports, you can rest assured that not even one day of your visit will be interrupted by rain.
Israel boasts hundreds of miles of beautiful beaches dotted with world-class beach resorts. Para-gliding, wind-sailing, snorkeling and scuba diving opportunities are abundant. Scuba enthusiasts will especially enjoy the unique opportunity to dive among ancient Roman-era ruins in the shallows of the Mediterranean Sea, or enjoy the grand coral displays nestled in the clear blue waters of the Red Sea.
Israel also caters to hikers with vast networks of marked, but largely untouched hiking trails crisscrossing geographical locations as diverse as deserts, pine forests and snow-covered mountains. Come during Israel's winter months and you can even ski!
A Culinary Experience Israel has something special to offer the culinary tourist as well. Home to Jewish immigrants from around the world and Arab clans from all reaches of the Middle East, Israel's national menu is as diverse as they come. Chefs who compete at the highest levels in European competitions stand ready to serve up this wide array of specialties at an every growing number of gourmet establishments.
Complementing Israel's rich assortment of foods is a local wine industry that is starting to grab the attention of top international critics. Wines from many of Israel's boutique and larger wineries - all of which offer tours and tastings - continue to win international awards and accolades.
Historical Crossroads Having played host to some of the world's most ancient civilizations, Israel is a paradise for history buffs. Just about every patch of dirt in Israel has some bit of history underneath it, often making construction of new structures a nightmare.
Fully developed archeological sites providing a glimpses of life in pre-historic times, the biblical period, the Roman era and the Middle Ages - to name just a few - abound in Israel. Each and every historical site carries a unique story that could fill books, and many have.
A special bit of history for Australians is the famous charge of the Australian Light Horse Brigade during the Battle of Beersheba in 1917, widely reputed as the last successful cavalry charge in history. The charge effectively broke the Ottoman Empire's southern defenses, allowing British General Lord Edmund Allenby to advance on and capture Jerusalem and marking a major turning point in World War I.
A memorial to the Australian Light Horse has been erected in the southern Israel city of Beersheba, and more than 1,000 Australians, New Zealanders and Britons came to Israel in 2007 to reenact the charge on its 90th anniversary.
The Holy Land Israel is best known to travelers as the Holy Land, an area central to all three of the world's monotheistic religions.
Jerusalem is the heart of the Holy Land, hosting the Temple Mount, Western Wall and the Garden Tomb where Jesus is said to have been buried. But the rest of the country is not left wanting for religious significance.
Jesus' boyhood home of Nazareth and his base of ministry on the shores of the Sea of Galilee are sites not to be missed. Nor would any tour be complete without visits to locations in Israel's southern desert and central mountain regions that the biblical patriarchs called home.
All in all, Israel is a well-rounded travel destination for every kind of tourist, and is second to none for those interested in history and religious pilgrimage.
Israel boasts hundreds of miles of beautiful beaches dotted with world-class beach resorts. Para-gliding, wind-sailing, snorkeling and scuba diving opportunities are abundant. Scuba enthusiasts will especially enjoy the unique opportunity to dive among ancient Roman-era ruins in the shallows of the Mediterranean Sea, or enjoy the grand coral displays nestled in the clear blue waters of the Red Sea.
Israel also caters to hikers with vast networks of marked, but largely untouched hiking trails crisscrossing geographical locations as diverse as deserts, pine forests and snow-covered mountains. Come during Israel's winter months and you can even ski!
A Culinary Experience Israel has something special to offer the culinary tourist as well. Home to Jewish immigrants from around the world and Arab clans from all reaches of the Middle East, Israel's national menu is as diverse as they come. Chefs who compete at the highest levels in European competitions stand ready to serve up this wide array of specialties at an every growing number of gourmet establishments.
Complementing Israel's rich assortment of foods is a local wine industry that is starting to grab the attention of top international critics. Wines from many of Israel's boutique and larger wineries - all of which offer tours and tastings - continue to win international awards and accolades.
Historical Crossroads Having played host to some of the world's most ancient civilizations, Israel is a paradise for history buffs. Just about every patch of dirt in Israel has some bit of history underneath it, often making construction of new structures a nightmare.
Fully developed archeological sites providing a glimpses of life in pre-historic times, the biblical period, the Roman era and the Middle Ages - to name just a few - abound in Israel. Each and every historical site carries a unique story that could fill books, and many have.
A special bit of history for Australians is the famous charge of the Australian Light Horse Brigade during the Battle of Beersheba in 1917, widely reputed as the last successful cavalry charge in history. The charge effectively broke the Ottoman Empire's southern defenses, allowing British General Lord Edmund Allenby to advance on and capture Jerusalem and marking a major turning point in World War I.
A memorial to the Australian Light Horse has been erected in the southern Israel city of Beersheba, and more than 1,000 Australians, New Zealanders and Britons came to Israel in 2007 to reenact the charge on its 90th anniversary.
The Holy Land Israel is best known to travelers as the Holy Land, an area central to all three of the world's monotheistic religions.
Jerusalem is the heart of the Holy Land, hosting the Temple Mount, Western Wall and the Garden Tomb where Jesus is said to have been buried. But the rest of the country is not left wanting for religious significance.
Jesus' boyhood home of Nazareth and his base of ministry on the shores of the Sea of Galilee are sites not to be missed. Nor would any tour be complete without visits to locations in Israel's southern desert and central mountain regions that the biblical patriarchs called home.
All in all, Israel is a well-rounded travel destination for every kind of tourist, and is second to none for those interested in history and religious pilgrimage.
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Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Is it Safe for Americans to Travel to Iraq Today?
No one will ever forget where he or she was when first witnessing the image of two planes crashing into the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. Since that tragic day, and the beginning of this war, too many lives have been taken. David Bowie sings it clearly in his song "I'm Afraid of Americans," saying that his fear cannot be helped, and in the mean time he will not pretend. Other than the distaste of glam rock stars of the 1970s and the French, are Americans safe to travel to foreign lands, such as Iraq? Even with homeland security working over time?
The presence of Americans has not been positive. Since U.S. troops first settled in Iraq on March of 2003, and Saddam Hussein no longer in leadership the hopefulness to this war sounds pretty promising. Currently terrorist attacks have been down 40 percent since 2001 and seem to be declining. Although, radical groups like Al-Qaeda and Hezbollah have done plenty of damage in Pakistan, Iraq and Afghanistan. And being American, one will most likely be targeted when visiting Iraq.
Such a country filled with history and beauty is experiencing the affects of gun shells, explosions and shattered lives. With over 4,000 U.S. causalities in Iraq, a visit to the country does not seem like a wise idea. Journalists covering their assignments on the war in Iraq put their lives at risk. Over 200 men and women in the media have given their lives for coverage of this war.
In 2002, Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl's murder made headlines.
Held captive and video tapped, Pearl begging for life, the tragedy of his death shook the hearts of millions. Journalists tend to disregard State warnings of danger, but everyone else should not. When there is a story, determination drives the pen of an eager reporter.
Images brought home from the war in Iraq impact citizens here, but they also impact the ones who snapped the photographs. San Diego Union Tribune senior photographer, Nelvin Cepeda has been behind enemy lines in Iraq. The images seen overseas are "too dense for our media outlets," said Cepeda. "They're accustom to this, and many have insisted on showing me the dead bodies."
Voluntarily putting ones self in such cross fire is the equivalence of walking blind folded down the freeway; you just do not do it. Soldiers and the media are there to do a job. Those residing in Iraq have no other option.
All a person needs to do is switch on his or her television sets, and see what the news is reporting from the front lines. Everyday the number of deaths of American soldiers and civilians increases at a rapid pace. Witnessing such terrible images of warfare first hand is not what one wants stashed in their memory.
Where a bulletproof vest is on your packing checklist next to sunscreen is not the ideal for most vacation routes. We are at war with Iraq; a visit to hostile territory is absurd.
Rudy Van Lancker is a consultant helping clients with in-depth advice on various topics including travel and Iraq, which he writes about on http://iraqtravelforamericans.com/ -- and his travel blog http://inyaka.net/
The presence of Americans has not been positive. Since U.S. troops first settled in Iraq on March of 2003, and Saddam Hussein no longer in leadership the hopefulness to this war sounds pretty promising. Currently terrorist attacks have been down 40 percent since 2001 and seem to be declining. Although, radical groups like Al-Qaeda and Hezbollah have done plenty of damage in Pakistan, Iraq and Afghanistan. And being American, one will most likely be targeted when visiting Iraq.
Such a country filled with history and beauty is experiencing the affects of gun shells, explosions and shattered lives. With over 4,000 U.S. causalities in Iraq, a visit to the country does not seem like a wise idea. Journalists covering their assignments on the war in Iraq put their lives at risk. Over 200 men and women in the media have given their lives for coverage of this war.
In 2002, Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl's murder made headlines.
Held captive and video tapped, Pearl begging for life, the tragedy of his death shook the hearts of millions. Journalists tend to disregard State warnings of danger, but everyone else should not. When there is a story, determination drives the pen of an eager reporter.
Images brought home from the war in Iraq impact citizens here, but they also impact the ones who snapped the photographs. San Diego Union Tribune senior photographer, Nelvin Cepeda has been behind enemy lines in Iraq. The images seen overseas are "too dense for our media outlets," said Cepeda. "They're accustom to this, and many have insisted on showing me the dead bodies."
Voluntarily putting ones self in such cross fire is the equivalence of walking blind folded down the freeway; you just do not do it. Soldiers and the media are there to do a job. Those residing in Iraq have no other option.
All a person needs to do is switch on his or her television sets, and see what the news is reporting from the front lines. Everyday the number of deaths of American soldiers and civilians increases at a rapid pace. Witnessing such terrible images of warfare first hand is not what one wants stashed in their memory.
Where a bulletproof vest is on your packing checklist next to sunscreen is not the ideal for most vacation routes. We are at war with Iraq; a visit to hostile territory is absurd.
Rudy Van Lancker is a consultant helping clients with in-depth advice on various topics including travel and Iraq, which he writes about on http://iraqtravelforamericans.com/ -- and his travel blog http://inyaka.net/
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