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Kerman
City is the capital of Kerman province, located
in an altitude of 1,860 above sea level in the north of "Kavir-e-Lout"
Desert. The world famous "Persian cat" is bred in this Reagan
and most beautiful and well-known carpets, best Iranian Pistachio,
Zireh, Henna are produced in Kerman.The town is situated close
to the wastes of Dasht-e Lut, from which it is separated by a
range of mountains. Its name is probably derived from the tribe
of Germanion listed by Herodotus, Believe to have been founded
in the early 3rd century AD by Ardashir I, Founder of the Sassanian
dynasty, it was from the 7th century ruled in turn by the Arabs,
by Buyids, the Seljuks, the Turkmans, and the Mongols. But it
did not become famous for its carpets until long after the time
of Marco Polo (who mentioned only the skill of local leatherworkers,
silk-embroiderers and armorers in 1271),for the town expanded
rapidly under the Safavids in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries,
both the English and Dutch exporting Kermani carpets from the
port of Bandar Abbas.
Kerman has had a long trubulent history, and it has only for short
spells enjoyed peace and prosperity at the same time. The town
has witnessed a further succession of invaders and local dynasties
during the Qajars, with security being restored under the central
government in the last century. Kerman has a Zoroastrian minority,
although much smaller than that in Yazd.
Most of the ancient Kerman was destroyed in 1794 earthquake, and
the modern Kerman radiates from two squares (Azadi &
Shariati), and all the monuments of interest lie between these
two, and include.
PLACES OF INTEREST:
1- VAKIL BAZAAR:The extensive Regent's Bazaar,
constructed of beautiful and well-preserved brick, much of it
from the Safavid period, is largely of interest for its architecture
rather than for the range of goods, although there are a few metalwork
shops selling brass tray and the like noisily hammered into shape
on site. Main Vakil Bazaar, whose 600 yards main avenue and more
than 100,000 shops and stores is the longest of all traditional
bazaars in, built by Vakil-ol-Molk who was an energetic governor
of Kerman from 1859 to 1866.
2-CARVANSARAY-e-VAKIL:The Vakil caravansary, with its attractively
tiled walls, adjoins the main Vakil Bazaar.The caravansary provides
office accommodation
for bazaar merchants. The two handsome " chimneys" are in fact
wind towers (bad-girs), which are a common feature of Kerman,
Yazd, and other desert worn of Iran. Cool air was drawn down to
basement rooms, which were used during the scorching summer months.
The temperature in these rooms is between 20 to 30 degrees cooler
than in those above ground in summer.
3-KERMAN, THEOLOGICAL COLLEGE & TURKISH BATH OF IBRAHIM
KHAN:Perhaps the most enchanting corner of Kerman Bazaar is
this, where the entrances to the Madrese (College) and Hammam
(Turkish Bath) adjoin. Built in 1816-1816 by Ibrahim Khan, who
was Governor of Kerman from 1801 to 1824, the entrance portals
are decorated with gay tile work, whose designs include peacocks,
waterfalls, flowers, and calligraphic inscriptions. The interiors
of both building are worthy of their entrance. The tiled and single-storey
Madrese is built round a peaceful, cypress-shade courtyard, while
the walls of the Hammam are decorated with amusing painting said
to date back to the end of the 18th century. The Ibrahim Khan
Bath-house is a working traditional bathhouse for men only: try
to go with a male Iranian friend, as you may have cultural or
language problem.
4- Ganj Ali Khan Bath and Ethnological Museum:Look out
for the Ganj Ali Khan Bath and Ethnological Museum in the Vakil
Bazaar (now a traditional tea-house). This building houses an
interesting exhibition of good waxwork of men in various poses
and costumes set in a traditional but no longer operational bath-house.
The Ganj Ali Khan Bath (hammam) is one of the several ancient
monuments and a group of utilitarian buildings in Vakil Bazaar
dating from the Safavid period in the 17th century. All garments
and other objects exhibited belong to the same period: razors,
sandals, phials for attar of roses, pipes with small bowls and
long stems to be enjoyed after the bath.
5-Friday Mosque ( Masjid-e Jamee):This 14th century Friday
Mosque, appropriately the grates structure of the city , is just
off the main square (Shohada). It is no problem for the non-Muslim
to go inside.
6- The Anglican Church of St.Andrew:The Anglican Church
of St Andrew, a building easily missed from the street, is hidden
in a garden behind a doorway in Shari'ati Avenue marked with the
Persian Cross characteristic of all the Anglican churches in Iran.
The small flock seems largely to have been forgotten by head quarters
in Canterbury except for goodwill cards at Christmas and Easter,
and fellow believes are assured of a warm welcome.
The original building founded by British missionaries was destroyed
in a recent earthquake, but with a great effort the tiny congregation
built a new church in stone in the mid 80s. For a few years now
they have had to do without a minister, so a small community of
lay members sharing the priest's house take it in turn to lead
the Sunday service (in Persian).
7-DESERT VIEW: After 2 hours driving from Kerman to South-east,
the beautiful view of desert will appears in Estahbanat, its Anjir
(fig) garden, sunrise and sunset are unforgettable.
8-Mahan & Shah Nemat-ollah-e Vally's Mausoleum: Is
located at 35 Km. south of Kerman on the Bam road, renowned for
the sanctuary of a saintly person said to have lived for a hundred
years, from 1331 to 1431: Shah Nur-ed-Din Nematollah Vali, poet,
sage, Sufi, and founder of Nematollahi order of dervishes. Who
are quite numerous in Iran and meet in the sanctuary of Mahan.
They are peaceful people of the Mohammedans faith. To them life
means being uprooted; their striving is for the return through
death to their " native land, relying on their activities, patience
and tolerance.
9-Bagh-e-Shazdeh (the prince Garden) and Shrine of Shah
Nemat-ollah-e-Vali built in the Safavied period (1502-1736) are
located in Mahan
10 -Bam Citadel:
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