Mashhad - Culture

Enjoying mountainous temperate climate, Mashhad, Iran's holiest city is located 850 kilometres northeast of Tehran in a plain between two mountain ranges of Binalood and Hezarmasjed. The city's climatic condition is varied with very cold winters, pleasant springs, usually mild summers and beautiful autumns. Mashhad is a tourist city with many hotels of various categories as well as a great number of guesthouses for the pilgrims who come to this city from the other parts of the country everyday by tens of flights, trains and buses. 

The important natural, cultural and religious sites and monuments of this township are:

• Bazangan lake

• Recreational areas of Kooh-Sangi, Akhloomad, Torghabeh, Band-e- Golestan (Golestan dam), Shandeese, Jaghargh, Zeshk, Naghandar, Kardeh Dam and Miami

• Cakilabad and Mellat parks

• Gilas and Garab fountains

• Zari, Hendelabad, Mozdooran, Moghan and Kardeh caves

• Khorshid palace in Kooh- Sangi

• Milakhanjan and Robat Sharaf castle

• Ruins of old city of Toos

• Kalat-e-Naderi historical aggregate

• Tombs of Ferdowsi, Sheikh Tabarsi,Khajeh Abasalt, Nader Shah, Imam Mohammad Ghazali

• Khajeh Morad, Ravi(famous Iranian Gnostics) and mausoleum of Sultan Mahmood Ghaznavi

• Meshed mud-brick dome

• Mashed Mossalla (place for public prayer)

• Navab, Soleyman Khan, Ghyasieh (Khargerd) and Mirza Gafar Schools

• Goharshad and Imam (former Shah) mosques

• Imam Reza Shrine aggregate, Hor-e-Ameli mausoleum,Imamzadeh Mohammad, Imamzadeh

• Yahya and Khajeh Rabi mausoleum

• Haroonieh and Sabz (green)dome

Imam Reza Shrine: Imam Reza (picture was poisoned and died in 817 in Sanabad. The place of his burial was named Mashhad (the place of martyrdom). Imam Reza is the only one of twelve Imams buried in Iran. Imam Reza shrine construction began in the 9^th century. It was rebuilt and redecorated by the order of Shah Abass of Savafid dynasty in early 17^th century. His holy position made his tomb a sacred place for pilgrims to worship. Millions of people pay pilgrimage to the holy shrine, undoubtedly the largest and most magnificent of its kind, every year. There are plenty of priceless objects and unique manuscripts in the shrine's library. 

Many religious schools are located around Imam Reza (AS) sanctuary, dedicated to Islamic teaching. Students, called "talabeh", from all around the world come to Mashhad to learn more about Islam. Note that non-Muslim men or women are not admitted to the Imam Reza Sanctuary. Also being in Mashhad, dress and behavioural code should be obeyed.

Gohar Shad Masque was built from 1405 - 1418. Gohar Shad was the wife of Mongol ruler, Shahrokh.  She ordered construction of this mosque. This mosque is located in the south side of Imam Reza Shrine. It has a four ivan court (317 by 277 ft) that is surrounded by a two story arcade, used for religious teaching and gatherings. The Goharshad Mosque (of Timurid period) as well as its rich museum and library are the most significant sights to be seen by any visitor and pilgrim. There is a magnificent golden dome over the shrine's building, surrounded by several porches.

Sultan Mahmood Ghaznavi built a mausoleum opposite to the Shrine and in 13^th century AD, due to destruction of Toos city by Mongols, Meshed developed and so many people migrated to this city. At the first, the Toos area was the residence of non-Aryan tribes and some parts of it was conquered by Arabs in the period of Caliph Osman and was annexed to Islam territory in the time of Caliph Omar. Toos was amongst the first cities, which was subject to destructive Mongol onslaught and. like other cities of Khorasan, was completely ruined.

Omar Khayam Tomb was built in 1962. Located in city of Nayshabour, 115 kilometres west of Mashhad. Omar Khayam is one of Iran's beloved mathematician, philosopher and poet.

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