Shiraz is the capital of Fars province and is located at latitude of 37.29 degrees and longitude of 32.52 degrees. The average elevation of shiraz is 1540 meters. The distance between Shiraz and Tehran is 895 Km, Shiraz and Isfahan is 481 Km and Shiraz and port of Bushehr is 320 Km. the climate of Shiraz is almost temperate and it is the reason of scattered green gardens throughout the city which caused more temperance of climate. The average annual temperature in the city is 17.3 ° C, the absolute minimum of temperature is 14 ° C and the absolute maximum of that is 43.2° C.

The average annual rainfall in Shiraz is about 307 mm and the average number of freezing days is about 54 days. The beauty and lush gardens of Shiraz has made this city famous as the city of flower, poetry and bride of Iran’s cities. The most outstanding handcrafts of this city are weaving, pottery, silver making, carving, embroidery, painting and woodworking. The presence of numerous industrial factories, universities and monuments that have made this city famous. Tourism is one of the main industries in Shiraz and hotels in Shiraz are the host of travelers especially in the season of Bitter orange ripping.

The first mention of Shiraz name on clay tablets of Ilam, dates back to 2000 years BC which on June 1970 during the digging of the land for building a brick kiln in the southwest of the city was found. The written tablets in ancient Ilam refer to a city called Tirazis. Considering the phonetics, it is interpreted as: Tirasis or Siracis, this name is derived from the name Sirajis in Old Persian, which was changed to Shiraz due to the regular change of sounds in modern Persian. The name of Shiraz has also been seen on pottery found from the ruins of the Sassanian Empire in the second century AD. According to the writings of some local writers, considering the Shahnameh, the name of Shiraz is derived from the name of the son of the third king of the world, Tahmours. Persepolis archaeological excavations under the supervision of George Cameron in 1314 SH, led to the found of clay tablets which were referred to the name ‘Tirazis’ or ‘Shirazes’. Also at the palace of Abu Nasr, some beads related to the late Sassanian and early Islam which bear the name ‘Shiraz’ have been found.

EBN ḤAWQAL, a fourth-century AH Muslim geographer, associated the similarity of the shiraz land to the interior of a lion because generally groceries were being transported from elsewhere to Shiraz and from there they would not get transported to somewhere else. According to the Tedesco research, Shiraz means the center of good grapes also this theory has been rejected by other researchers such as Benoist and Henning.

Local Foods: the variety of local foods in Shiraz is extended, each with its own specific taste. Among these foods we can mention kalam(cabbage)polo, Dopiyze aloye shirazi, Shekar(sugar) polo, Ghorme beh, Yakhi nokhod, lobiya polo, rob (tomato paste) polo, Shirazi polo, Havij (carrot) polo, Kofte sabzi, yakhni adas ‘Polo means rice’

Handcrafts: Among shiraz handcrafts we can mention Shiraz rug, carpet, short napped coarse carpet, mat weaving, seven colors tile, inlaying, earthenware, tribal colorful cloth, light cotton summer shoes and felt making. All these handcrafts have come a long hundred years way to reach this point and hold extraordinary visual attraction.

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Sightseeing attractions of Shiraz City

Hafez's tomb

Shams Uddin Mohammed Hafez, also known as Khajeh Hafiz and Lesan al-Ghayb, is one of the most famous poets of Iranian history who lived in the 727-792 AH. Most of his poems are sonnets known as Ghazaliat. Hafezieh or Hafez’s tomb is the name of a tomb complex in the north of the city of Shiraz and to the south of the Quran Gate, which holds the tomb of Hafez Shirazi.in 856 AH (1452 AD) about 65 years after Hafez departure, the Fars minister for the first time built a vaulted building on the tomb which was repaired several times.

The Hafezieh hall which is the work of Zand dynasty has 56 meters length, 8 meters width and 20 stony pillars, each 2 meters height.in the past, this hall was consisted of 4 pillars a 4 rooms which later this rooms were removed. there are rooms on the east and west side of the hall which one belongs to Cultural Heritage Organization and other belongs to the tomb office. The architectural way of this hall is influenced by Islamic architecture of Zand dynasty.

Eram Garden

Eram Garden is an Iranian historical garden in the Shiraz and includes several monuments and botanical gardens. This garden has a large variety of plants which are planted from plants of different parts of the world which has made this garden as an exhibition for flowers and plants.

one of the main parts of this garden which attract every viewer, apart from the trees , flowers and plants that can be seen everywhere and made this garden as a Permanent Flower Exhibition, one is a thousand years old cedar and other is the mansion in the middle of garden, a mansion which is one of the masterpieces of Qajar dynasty. On the Tir(July) 6,1390 SH at the fifth meeting of UNESCO World Heritage Committee, Shiraz Eram garden along with 8 Iranian garden were registered on World Heritage List.

Saadi's tomb

Abu Mohammad Musharrafedin (Saddi) is a Persian poet and writer (1210-1291 AD). Litterateurs call him Sheikh-e Ajal.Bostan and Golestan are the two famous books of Saadi. Saadi’s tomb is known as Saadiye is his burial place. First this place was Saadi’s house where he lived there at the last years of his life, then buried there. For the first time, in the seventh century a tomb was built on his tombstone by the order of minister of Ilkhani’s king. The tomb is located at the boostan street and next to the Delgosha garden on the northeast hillside of Shiraz.

Iranian modernist architect Mohsen Foroughi in collaboration with Ali Akbar Sadegh, designed the tomb inspired by traditional Iranian architectural elements, on 1330 Sh. The style of building is an Iranian style with nine columns covered by brown stones in front of the tomb and The building itself is decorated with white stone and tile.

Five hundred rials silver coins of Islamic republic of Iran since 1387 SH are designed with the drawing of Saadi’s tomb and also since 1389 SH, one hundred rials bills are designed with the drawing of Saadi’s tomb.at first this palace has been the house of Saadi where he lived at the last years of his life and then buried there.in the seventh century for first time this tomb was built by the order of Shamsuddin Muhammad saheb divani, the minister of Abaqa Kha

The Cyrus’s Tomb

The tomb of Cyrus (Cyrus II of Persia commonly known as Cyrus the Great the great) is an unadorned but architectural unique building located about one Km southwest of the Pasargadae palaces. From all over the plain of Morghab this tom is visible especially if you cross the southwest side of the ancient road and enter the plain by the balaghi ravine, the first noticeable thing will be the Cyrus’s tomb. On 2004, this work was registered as a subset of Pasargadae under the No.1106 in UNESCO World Heritage.

the Cyrus’s tomb is the only monument in the Pasargadae which is describe in Greek sources.one of the oldest descriptions related to this tomb is Aristobulus (companion of Alexander the Great in his expedition to the Achaemenes Empire) description which is recorded in the book Alexander’s Anabasis by Arian. the Cyrus’s tomb is located in the south corner of what once was the Pasargadae king’s garden and it built by light yellow limestone which probably is provided from Sivand mine. The tomb has consistency against natural and unnatural destructive factors for 2500 years and still is constant in Pasargadae’s plain. The base of the building is a stony platform in the size of 13.35 length and 12.30 width. The tomb has two distinct parts – a 6 step stony platform, and a room with gable roof over the sixth staircase.

Shah-Cheragh

Shah Cheragh is name of a masque and a tomb which according to the Shiite is the burial place of elder son of Mussa Kazem and also Muhhamd ibn Mussa, one of the brothers of Ali ibn Mussa. He traveled to Khorasan in order to join his brother but on the way he was murdered by the soldiers of The Abbasid Caliphate in Shiraz. The tomb is located in the north of Ahmadi street in Shiraz. The Seyyed Mir Mohammed’s tomb, brother of Seyed Mir Mohammad, which is based on Azari architectural style is also located in Shah cheragh.

Shah cheragh was built in 6th century AH during the monarchy of Atabakan Fars and its dome and courtyard has charming tiling. On 1239-40 SH tiling designing of the tomb because of mending was designed and operated by Master Isa Bahadori.he has artistically designed the inside of the harem by using tiny colorful mirrors and variety of grand Persian and Arabic writings are the decorator of facade of mirrors and tiles.

The courtyard of Shah Cheragh has two main entrances, one on the south side of haram and other on the north. On the center of courtyard, there is a large fountain basin and around the basin are trees. The Shah cheragh is on the west side of courtyard and Seyyed Mir Muhammad ‘s Harem-Shah cheragh’s brother- is on the northeast side of courtyard.

Persepolis

Persepolis or Parse is one of the ancient cities of Iran that for many years has been the capital of magnificent during the Achaemenian Empire.in this ancient city there is a palace called Persepolis, which was built in the reign of Darrius the Great, Khashayarshah and Ardashir I and for about 2000 years was habitable. On 518 years BC, Persepolis become the new capital of Achaemenian in Parse. The founder of Persepolis was Darrius the Great, but after him his son Khashayarshah and his grandson Ardeshir I extended this building. Our available information about the Achaemenian background and their culture is because of stone and clay writings which are engraved on the walls of these palaces.

The Architects, artists and experts in the construction of Persepolis were from different nations under the rule of Achaemenian kings such as Assyrian, Egyptian, Urartian, Babylonian, Ludian, Hindus, Sacanian and etc. Achaemenian Museum Building in Persepolis is the oldest building in Iran which was repaired and dedicated to the museum. This building is one of the palaces of Persepolis.

Vakil bazaar

The old bazaars are one of the places where you can kill two birds with one stone; in these places you have the opportunity of comparing the prices, enjoying the historical sight and a unique opportunity to interact with people.in the bazaar everything is provided to gain a wonderful experience. Vakil bazar is not an exception for this fact. The bazar is a memento of Karim Khan Zand and the historical value of this place is evident. This place is registered on the List of National Monuments of Iran since tir (July)17,1351 SH under the No.924 and attracted lots of tourists.

Vakil bazaar like all other traditional bazaars, has s dynamic atmosphere. This bazaar is a combination of traditional and modern market which provide you a variety of goods. On every side of the bazaar you can find good quality goods and have an unforgettable purchase, but it is better to remember this tips. Handmaids play a unique role in Vakil bazaar, they are woven by artistic tribes of this land and amazed you by their design. You can find Gabe or the famous woven rugs of tribes on every side of this place with the best quality. You can also find short-napped coarse carpets with nature designs in this bazaar.

Nasir al-Molk Mosque

Nasir al-Molk Mosque is one of the oldest mosques in Shiraz and is famous for the colorful lights that reflect behind colored glass and provide a special beauty in the atmosphere of masque. Nasir al – Molk Mosque is one of the mosques in Shiraz which is located in Godarban neighborhood and Lotfali Khan Zand street. The Nasir al-Molk complex includes masque, house, bath, water storage and …

is located in the Shiraz old neighborhood of ‘Eshagh Beig’. major parts of this complex was destructed during Street building and new buildings were constructed there. Today Nasir-al Molk’s house includes the main hall, part of courtyard, outer part and basement. The stone cutting and decoration of this place is inspired by Vakil Mosque and Moshir Mosque in Shiraz   and is made of integrated marble. The arches and walls of this seraglio are decorated with beautiful tiles.

The book ‘Farsnameh Nasseri’ refers to this masque in this way: in terms of foundation strength, stone pillars, seraglio, basin and court is similar or even larger to Mashir al-Molk masque and some new changes has added that make it more qualified. The book of ‘Al-Amjam’s works also refers to this mosque and its spaces. Nasir al-Molk masque has been registered on the List of National Monuments of Iran by National monuments and Iran archaeology association since 1358 SH under No.396

Vakil masque

Vakil masque or Sultani masque is a historical masque that dates back to Zand dynasty and was built by the order of Karim Khan Zand.this masque is located on the west side of Vakil bazaar and at the end of Shamshigarha’s side. The design of this masque is in two porches style and has two seraglios, south and east. The south seraglio with integrated stony spiral pillars is one of the features of Iranian architecture and has 48 integrated stony pillars which make it one of the worth seeing locations of this masque. This masque covers 4000 square meters and the 14 steps pulpit made of integrated marble is one of worth seeing places of the seraglio.it has been said that the marble of the pulpit has been brought from Maraghe to Shiraz by the order of Karim Khan Zand.on the north side of the mosque there is a long and important arch which is known as Morvarid(pearl)arch and around this arch has been written a verse of Quran in crescent shape with large font.

This masque is located in a location with the traditional Iranian architecture in a social complex and has made a beautiful harmony in combining religion to the world. The tiling of the court, north and south porches are also very beautiful and of seven colors and mosaic.

Karim Khan Citadel

karim Khan citadel dates back to the early of Qajar period and is located in Jomhori Street, north of Bagh-e Takht.this citadel has been registered under the No.19318 as one of National Monuments of Iran since Mordad 1, 1386 SH. this small citadel was used as a summer palace in Karim Khan’s period. Today this citadel has changed to a beautiful family restaurant that is located on the roof of Shiraz. Karimkhani castle is built in the style of Karim Khan citadel. This castle has 4 towers in each side. Near this building has been a bathroom with several arches and nested rooms and now has repaired in a new style and changed to a teahouse.

Karimkhani castle is built in the style of Karim Khan citadel. This castle is built over the Bagh-e Takht and in the main place of palace’s garden. The castle has 4 towers in each side and was built by the order of Reza Shah as an imitation of Citadel and is named the same. This castle has a two floors building that from there Shiraz and baghe Takht is easily visible. The courtyard of this castle has old cedars, pine and bitter orange that makes the sight beautiful.  This place was used as a place of recreation for the army chiefs.