On the silk road

in Mashhad

A daily excursion to visit the eastern parts of Silk road in Iran and the town of Sarakhs, which located at the border of Turkmenistan to visit mausoleum of Baba-Loghman, a great Sufi in Iran from 14^th century. Then we drive back to visit Robat-Ashraf (Robat in Farsi means a type of Caravansaries mostly were used for camels and horses). This Caravansary is located on Silk road between Marv and Neyshabur and known as a masterpiece of brick-made structure and the date goes back to 12^th century in Seljuq era.

Then we drive to the south of Mashhad to visit Sangbast historical complex. Basically there was an old town with a Caravansary on the Silk road but now, only a mausoleum and a brick-made Minaret left from 10^th and 11^th century. The mausoleum is belong to Arsalan Jazeb, the governor of Tous with a dome adorned with Kufi inscriptions laid out in a beautiful brick work. Next to the mausoleum is a high minaret with 40m length and called Ayaz minaret. Minarets were the signs for travelers to guide them and find the place and town.

You will see:

Mausoleum of Baba-Loghman, Robat-Ashraf Caravansary and Sangbast historical complex

You will Experience:

The first visitation of an old Caravansary in Iran

Distances:

Mashhad to Sarakhs is 180km (about 2 hours)

Accommodation:

A 4star hotel in Mashhad

in Sabzevar

Leaving Mashhad to follow the Silk road to the west and the first station is Qadamgah. Qadamgah has been the last house before Neyshabur on the Silk road and included Caravansary, Stable and a bathhouse for travelers. The fame of Qadamgah is foe being a pilgrimage site for Muslims as a place that Imam-Reza stopped and stayed for a while (Qadamgah in Farsi means footprint and there is a creed about a stone there with Imam-Reza’s footprint on it) and it has a monument with four-porched plan and a high dome on it and tiling decorations in order of Shah-Abbas Safavid in 17^th century. In Neyshabur we visit the archaeology museum inside a 17^th century Caravansary in the middle of the town and Attar-Neyshaburi mausoleum. Attar was a great and famous poet, Sufi and theoretician, who had an immense and lasting influence on Persian poetry and Sufism. Then we leave Neyshabur to follow the road to Sabzevar. 10km before Sabzevar, we stop to visit Khosrogerd Minaret, a high tower from 12^th century  and a good example of Seljuq architecture and it’s all remained from a Silk road town of Khosrogerd, which destroyed during Mongols invasion in 13^th century. In Sabzevar we visit the old Mosalla (in Farsi means a place to pray and usually use for Friday mosque). The old Mosalla of Sabzevar is a brick-made structure from 14^th century and Sarbedaran era. Then we have a look to the ice-houses of Sabzevar. Ice-house was a solution for providing ice in hot summers especially in desert cities. The brick and mud structure with a huge dome can maintain the internal space very cool for a long time and they put the ice pieces there from winter to use it in summer.

You will see:

Qadamgah mausoleum, Attar mausoleum, Archaeology museum of Neyshabur, Khosrogerd minaret, mosalla of Neyshabur and the ice-houses.

You will Experience:

Discovering the less know attractions of Iran

Distances:

Mashhad to Sabzevar is 240km (about 3 hours)

Accommodation:

A 3star hotel in Sabzevar

in Shahrud

Continuing the Silk road from the east to the central part of Iran. At the middle of the way to Shahrud, we stop to visit the biggest Caravansary complex in Iran. Miyandasht complex consists of 3 Caravansaries connected together from Safavid and Qajar era. Also, the complex has 3 cisterns and a bathhouse and water provided with a Qanat (the underground canals system), which is still works and providing water. The next stop is Bastam, a Mystic town next to Sharud to visit Bayazid-Bastami complex. Bastam is a place of prominent mystics Sufi and Darvishes in Iran’s history. Bayazid-Bastami, a great and famous Sufi was born in 9^th century in a Zoroastrian and priest family. This Iranian Sufi was a master teacher of the knowledge and mysticism of his time in the pre-Islam era. By studying the history of mysticism, we understand that Bayazid was one of the first writers and poets among the most famous Iranian mystics. His complex in Bastam included of his mausoleum, Khanqah (worship place for Sufi and Darvish), a minaret and a the eastern porch. The complex date goes back to 12^th century and Seljuq era but completed in Mongols era. Kashaneh tower and Friday mosque of Bastam are also from Mongols era (Ilkhanid era). Kashaneh Tower of 14th century made of bricks, also known as Ghazaneh. Some believe it used to be a fire temple before Islam. Some believe that Ghazan Khan, the Mongol ruler has built it. Also the most interesting thing in the Friday mosque is the Mihrab (where the Imam or leader prays and shows the Mecca direction for Muslims.) This Mihrab is in Mongols style, a masterpiece of stucco by the order of Oljaito (Ilkhanid king in 14^th century).

You will see:

Miyandasht Caravansaries, Bayazid-Bastami complex, Kashaneh tower and Friday mosque

You will Experience:

Stories about Sufi and Darvishes in Iran

The Mongols art and architecture

Distances:

Sabzevar to Shahrud is 250km (about 3 hours)

Accommodation:

A 3star hotel in Shahrud

in Semnan

Another day on the road to Semnan with a couple of stops around Damqan. The first one is to visit Mehmandoust tower, a brick-made in Seljuq era (11^th century) as a mausoleum with interesting brick-made decoration. Then in Damqan town, we visit Tarikhaneh mosque, the second oldest mosque in Iran after Jame-mosque of Fahraj in Yazd. Tarikhaneh (means God’s home) was a fire temple during Sassanid era and then in the Islamic era in 11^th century they changed in to a mosque but with the primary plan consists of a courtyard with columned sanctuaries and a porch with a high Minaret. Columns and arches are in Sassanid style. Next place in Damqan is Pir-Alamdar tower, another Seljuq tower from 11^th century similar to Mehmandoust tower and was built as a mausoleum for the governor of Semnan. A couple of stops after Damqan to visit Doulat-Abad fort, a monument from 17^th century consists of adobe made houses, governor house, wind towers and the fortress and the last place before arriving to Semnan is Ahowan Caravansary. Ahowan consists of two Caravansaries next to each other. The older one from 12^th century made of stone is one of the oldest Caravansary in “Iran and the second one brick-made is from 17^th century.

You will see:

Mehmandoust tower, Tarikhaneh mosque, Pir-Alamdar tower, Doulat-Abad fort and Ahowan Caravansary

You will Experience:

Visiting the second oldest mosque in Iran

Distances:

Shahrud to Semnan is 180km (about 2 hours)

Accommodation:

A 3star hotel in Semnan

in Tehran

Before leaving Semnan, we have a city tour there. The first place would be Jame mosque of Semnan, the oldest monument of the town. There is a story about this mosque that there was a fire temple and in 7^th century, when Arabs conquered Iran and changed the religion to Islam, a plain mosque was built on the ruins of the fire temple. But the current monument goes back to Seljuq era in 12^th century and completed in Timurid dynasty in 15^th century with a high Iwan (porch) with calligraphy. Also, the mosque has a high brick-made Minaret with 31m length. The next place in Semnan is Arg gate. This gate is the lonely monument left from the governmental citadel in 19^th century. The gate is attractive with colorful mosaics and painted tiles. On the way to Tehran, we stop in Garmsar to visit a cistern from Qajar era (19^th century). Before Tehran, we have a drive to Kavir national park to visit one of the oldest Caravansary of Iran, which is called as the mother of Caravansaries in Iran. Dayr-e Gachin Caravansary is a heritage from Sassanid era (3^rd to 7^th century) and renovated in Safavid era (17^th century). Dayr-e Gachin is one of the largest caravansaries in Persia, and, apart from the usual accommodations, includes some uncommon features. Inside the enclosure each corner was built on a different plan for a specific function. In the northwest corner there is a mill, in the southwest a small courtyard with a bathhouse and kitchen. The northeast corner was built as a private apartment around a small courtyard and must have been intended for the use of royalty or high-ranking officials. A mosque was constructed in the southeast corner of the enclosure; it is square in plan, and in the center of the sanctuary there are four massive piers of Sasanian brick, arranged as in a Chartaqi. As with the rest of the structure, the original roof has been replaced by later Islamic vaults, but it is likely that the mosque is on the site of a Sasanian fire temple that had a domed Chartaqi in the center. Before Tehran, the day be completed by visiting another old monument, Jame mosque of Varamin. This mosque was built in Ilkhanid era (14^th century) by the order of Oljaito (the famous king of Ilkhanid) with a four-Iwan (porch) plan. The mosque has a high porch and dome made of brick with Ilkhanid-style stucco and calligraphy. For most contemporary architectural historians, Jame mosque of  Varamin continues to epitomize the first crystallization of a four-iwan (porch) mosque by the Il Khanids, but also a monumentality achieved by the delicacy of ornament, the display of rich materials, and the play of light and shadow of the sculptural architectural elements.

You will see:

Jame mosque of Semnan, Arg gate, Garmsar’s cistern, Dayr-e Gachin Caravansary, Jame mosque of Varamin

You will Experience:

Visiting an old Caravansary in desert

Distances:

Semnan to Tehran via Dayr-e Gachin Caravansary is 300km (about 4 hours)

Accommodation:

A 4star hotel in Tehran

in Hamedan

Leaving Tehran to experience the western part of the Silk road in Iran. But before that we drive to the south of Tehran to visit Ray. Ray is one of the oldest cities of Iran. About 300 BC, one of the successors of Alexander (Solukus) named Ray as “Oriyoos. Thereafter the Parthians named the same “Arsakia” and “Arshakiyeh”. undefined During the reign of the Sassanids ‘Ray’ found its current name. In the Islamic era this city was the ruling center of ‘Bani Omayeh’ clan and during the Mongol and Teimoorian conquests claimed to be an area of invasion for several times. Ray was also an important station on the Silk road. The secondary roads were separated here, to the south (Kashan, Esfahan, Yazd and Kerman) and to the north (Qazvin, Zanjan and Tabriz). Nothing left from the ancient town because of invasions and we just visit a tower there, Toghrol. Another heritage from 12^th century and Seljuq era. The tower is brick-made and has 20m high, originally has a dome but destroyed through time and it was the tomb of Seljuq ruler Toghrol-Beg. The most interesting feature of this amazing tower is the play of light and shadow on the 24 vertical angles around it and the stalactites on top of them shows the date and the time of the day.

Leaving Ray to Hamedan and after a while we visit a stony castle. An old monument with Sassanid style made in Seljuq era and takes 200 years to build. It has 4 towers and a high wall all around the building. In the courtyard you can find four domes in four corners of the castle. Also it has a well with 40m length and a cistern. Then, we continue the road and just before Hamedan, we stop in Lalejin, the pottery capital of the world. Lalejin is a town full of pottery workshops and shops. For the first time, the Mongols discovered the clay soil of the area and now it’s the main profession in the town.

You will see:

Toghrol tower, Stony castle and Lalejin town

You will experience:

The pottery art in Lalejin

Distances:

Tehran to Hamedan is 300km (about 4 hours)

Accommodation:

A 4star hotel in Hamedan

in Hamedan

A full day sightseeing in Hamedan be started with Hegmataneh ancient hill, an extensive area in the middle of the town with excavated archaeological sights and a museum. The date of Hegmataneh goes back to Median era in 500 BC, when was selected as the first capital of Persia and during Achaemedian era was used as the summer capital. After Alexander invasion, they changed to a Greek name, Ecbatana. Hamedan is the current name for Ecbatana and this city played an important role in all period of history. Hamedan was using as a storage in Silk road and a place to trade the goods. We also visit Alavian dome, a monument from Seljuq era, a place for Alavian family to worship and after in Ilkhanid era (14^th century) they added stucco and plaster art to the building as a decoration. The city tour continues by walking through Bazaar, a significant place on Silk road, which has a couple of Caravansaries for trading and storage the goods. We keep walking through the main square of the town with an interesting structure from 19^th century to reach Avicenna mausoleum. Avicenna was a great polymath in 11^th century. who is regarded as one of the most significant physicians, astronomers, thinkers and writers of the Islamic Golden Age, and the father of modern medicine. Avicenna is also called “the most influential philosopher of the pre-modern era”. His most famous books are “Shafa”, a philosophical and scientific encyclopedia, and “Canoon”, a medical encyclopedia which became a standard medical text at many medieval universities and remained in use as late as 1650. The last place in Hamedan is Ganjnameh inscriptions. Ganjnameh valley located next to the town and in Alvand foothills. Ganjnameh was located on the ancient Royal road, which connected Hegmataneh to Susa and Persepolis. There are two inscriptions from Darius and Xerxes to describe their power.

You will see:

Hegmataneh ancient hill, Alavian dome, Bazaar, Avicenna mausoleum, Ganjnameh inscriptions

You will experience:

One of the most beautiful cities of Iran

Accommodation:

A 4star hotel in Hamedan

in Kermanshah

Leaving Hamedan to continue the trip to the western province Kermanshah. The first stop on the way is to visit Taj-Abad Caravansary. The special thing about this Caravansary is the plan of it. Most of Caravansaries have a quadrilateral plan and only a few of them has a circular plan like Taj-Abad. The next stop is to visit Anahita-Temple. Anahita is the goddess of water and the symbol of fertility in the ancient culture of Iran and they made some places to worship Anahita and this one is the most extensive Anahita temple in Iran from Parthian dynasty (300 BC to 200 AD). Next stop before Kermanshah is Bisotun, a significant place on the Silk road and a UNESCO world heritage site. Bisotun shows you the different period of times in Iran. A cave from prehistorical era, a Median temple, the most important inscription from Achaemenid king Darius the great, which explains his story in Cuneiform script, the Hercules statue from Seleucid era, a bas-relief from Sassanid and a Caravansary from Safavid dynasty.  Finally in Kermanshah we visit Taq-Bostan bas-reliefs. Taq in Farsi means arch and Bostan means garden. Taq-Bostan is a series of bas-reliefs with two carved arches next to the garden. Taq-Bostan was a popular place for Sassanid kings to have pleasure and hunting animals. The bas-reliefs are built in 3^rd and 4^th century which shows Artaxerxes II coronation and two arches in Taq-e Bostan, Shapour II and Shapour III have been depicted on smaller arch and Khosrow Parviz depicted on the larger one. The bas-reliefs present the glory of Sassanid kings

You will see:

Taj-Abad Caravansary, Anahita temple, Bisotun inscriptions, Taq-Bostan bas-reliefs

You will experience:

Be amazed of the details in Sassanid bas-reliefs and Achaemenid inscription.

Distances:

Hamedan to Kermanshah is 200km (about 3 hours)

Accommodation:

A 4star hotel in Kermanshah

The Last day of the tour belongs to visit the last part of Silk road in Iran in the western part. On the way, we stop to visit Taq-Gara. An arch from Sassanid era from 6^th century. Although the actual function of the building has not yet been determined, it has mentioned various functions such as the Caravan Road Construction, King’s Stopping, Border Guard and Victory Monument. Then in Qasr-Shirin, we visit the ruins of Khosrow palace. This palace is from Sassanid era and belongs to a Sassanid ruler, Khosrow-Parviz in 6^th and 7^th centuries and a symbol of his love to Shirin, his lover. A stony arch is inside the palace is still standing after 15 hundred years. Next to the palace, a fire temple located that called Char-Qapi, a big structure from the same era to the palace. Originally has a dome but destroyed through time. The last place to visit is the last Caravansary you visit in Iran on this tour. After the sightseeing ends, we drive back to Kermanshah to fly back to Tehran.

You will see:

Taq-Gara, Khosrow palace, Char-Qapi fire temple, Qasr-Shirin Caravansary

You will experience:

The lovely story of Khosrow and Shirin

Distances:

Kermanshah to Qasr-Shirin to Kermanshah 360km (about 4 hours)