Mashad: Capital of immense Khorasan province, was so named because of Imam Reza ,,one of the most important saint leaders of Islam(IMAM), in martyrdom is buried there. Iranians usually have a ritual trip to Mashad at least once a year as a center of Shiite pilgrimage. Mashad is located in an altitude of 970 m above sea level and is connected to Tehran by two roads (875 km southern and 925 km northern), railway and air. Mashad, with 1,820,631 inhabitants is the third most interesting tourist pole of Iran after Isfahan and Shiraz. The important and various types of Khorassan handicrafts and Souvenirsare: Carpet weaving, Silk production, She'rbafi, Felt carpet, Wool making, sculptured work on stone, Turquoise stone, Ceramic work and Pipe weaving. Other hand made articles are: Kilim, Giveh, Charoq, Wooden and Metal products, Paintings on leather, etc... The music of Khorassan is one of the oldest Iranian music which is reflected in different songs and melodies of the people of Khorassan. The musical language and dialect of people of Khorassan although having common bases are of different kinds. Out of which mention can be made about the music of Torbat Jaam and Torbat Heydarieh regions (in eastern and southern part of Khrassan), the music of Bojnurd and Quchan in northern and western regions of Khorassan. The basic musical instruments of Khorassan are "Tar", "Dotar" and "Daff".

PLACES OF INTEREST :

1.The Holy Shrine of Imam Reza:The burial place of Imam Reza at Mashad commands the most passionate devotion through out Western Asia. The magnificent holy shrine of Imam Reza and the historical and artistic complex attached to it, including the courtyards, porticos and porches, the Gohar-shad Mosque as well as its rich museum,Especially magnificent (unique) pure GOLDEN dome over the shrine building. However, the shrine and the surrounding buildings do together comprise one of the marvels of the Islamic world. Under certain constrains it is perfectly possible even for the non-Moslem to visit it; going to Iran and not doing so is a little like going to Italy and missing Vatican.Astan-e-Qods Razavi Aggregate:This forms the axis of the holy city of Mashad and is one of the most important and greatest ‘aggregates’ in the world of Islam. Its importance is due to the presence of the shrine of His Holiness Imam Reza (AS), 148-203 AH, which contains valuable historical and artistic monuments from various centuries.

2. Gowharshad Mosque:Grand Mosque of Gowharshad with its 50 m high faience dome and cavernous golden portal, is located immediately to the south of the Holy Shrine of Imam Reza and is architecturally perhaps even more important than the mausoleum. Gowharshad, wife of Tamerlane’s eldest son Shahrokh, was one of the most remarkable women of Islamic history. She built this beautiful mosque between 1405 and 1418. Sir Percy Sykes, Diplomat and historian, describe it as “ the noblest mosque in Central Asia”. The façade of its four-Ivan court is decorated with brilliant mosaic tiling of the highest quality.

3. Bazaar of Mashad:Mashad has three bazaars, the biggest being called Bazaar-e Imam Reza, is 800 m long and one of the main shopping centers in the town. The crafts of Khorasan are all represented in the bazaar. All kinds of local souvenirs such as turquoise, Carnelian ring, gold, perfume, saffron, pelisse, prayer mat, and rosary may be found here besides a myriad of foreign articles. Make sure also to visit workshop where turquoises from the Neishabour mines are cut and polished. Bazaar is open 8AM to 8 PM, Saturday to Thursday.

4. The Nadir Shah Mausoleum:Located in Azadi street is a curious piece of architecture completed more than three decades ago, consisting in a heavy slab of concrete which forms a crypt and of a colossal bronze group representing soldiers led to battle by a sort of an equestrian commander on horseback bearing a turban and a large ax (Nadir Shah). Two small museums have been set up nearby: Nadir Shah souvenirs, mainly 18th and 19th century weapons, and bronze objects unearthed during excavations in the region.

*Koohsangi Recreation Place, Mashad:This is one of the most beautiful spots and is situated on the southern fringes of the city. To the front of this hillock stands a summer house with a large pool - this pool runs 100 m. in length and 60 m. in width. This pool is fed by subterranean waters (Qanat) from the Gonabad area. Running alongside are paved paths and trees which enhance the beauty of this area which are also famed as "Dalan-e-Behesht" (The corridor to Paradise).

*Torqabeh Recreation Place, Mashad:This vicinity boasts of a pleasant climate, in the out skirts of Mashad, to the west of which stand the Binalood Mountains and to the north, the Takht-e-Rostam Mountains. Torqabeh has alternative attractions such as springs enveloped in greenery.No one should leave Mashad without Tasting of special ShishKabab in Shandiz (closed to Torghabeh), and kabab-loghmeh in Torghabeh villages.

Outside Mashad:

*TOUS:Tous was a powerful city and regional capital long before Mashad, but then the Mongols came. A ridge of clay running through the plain is all that is left of its ramparts the size of which give an indication of how large a city it was. Tous, 23 km from Mashad on a turning east of the road to Gorgan, is the hometown of Ferdowsi.

*Ferdowsi:Ferdowsi, not only the poet of Shahnameh (Epic of the Kings), but also the national chronicler (in nearly sixty thousand verses) of a certain view of ancient Persian history. He died in 1020, and is now buried under a mausoleum built in 1933 in preparation for the celebration of the 1000th anniversary of the poet’s death a year later, but rebuilt in 1934 because the first version was thought too plain. There is a small museum in the grounds, which has a bookstand with some offerings in English not easily available elsewhere.

*Harunieh Garden:This large, crumbling, quadrangular domed mausoleum, about a km south of the present village on the Mashad road, is the only remaining structure of the original city of Tous. This structure is known as the tomb of Haroon-al-Rashid, “Naqareh-Khaneh" i.e.(a place where drums are beaten at specified intervals) and also is known as Masjed or mosque. This place is situated between Mashad and Toos and is near the tomb of Ferdowsi. It is a square, brick made structure, containing porticos and windows with fine architectural finish. The dome and the ceiling of which boast of intricate craftsmanship. This structure is actually in three storeys and has been erected in the year 720 AH to commemorate this great scholar. Although popularly associated by the locals with Harun al-Rashid (Abbasid khalifa), no one knows for whom it was built or at which date, and there are no clues inside or out.

MAUSOLEUMS:

*KHAJEH- ABASALT & KHAJEH – MORAD :Mausoleums are tombs of two of Islam Prophet’s kindred friends, which are visited by world Moslems, who believe they can grant their wishes.

*Khajeh Rabi' Tomb:This famous and renowned tomb is situated 4 km. north of Mashad on the Khajeh Rabi’ Road. This mausoleum is octagonal in shape and houses many rooms, large halls and porticos styled in intricate and unique oriental architecture. The bi-covered dome is 18 m. high and has two, one with the "Banai" script and the other with the "Tholth" script.
The interior of the mausoleum has interesting ornaments which includes two inscriptions written by Ali Reza Abbasi which dates back to 1026 and 1031 AH. The facade of this monument has many eye-catching and interesting architectural and decorative features. The construction of this mausoleum relates to the Safavid era and is located in a large, beautiful garden. Khajeh Rabi is well known for his endeavors in the way of Islam.

* Qadamgah Mausoleum, Mashad:

This beautiful Mausoleum dates back to the 11th century AH and is octagonal shaped with tall porticos and two storeyed arches and decorated with seven colored tiles and plaster moldings. It is located in a large garden in the village of Qadamgah and has been erected by Shah Soleiman in the year 1091 AH. In this Mausoleum there is a stone tablet that bears the impression of the soles of two feet. It is said that these impressions belong to the feet of His Holiness Imam Reza (AS). The dome of this structure has been decorated with white and turquoise colored diamond shaped figures which surround the dome. An inscription which is written by Al Abd Mohammad Hossein in Thulth script can also be noted.

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