Yazd
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Map of Iran and surrounding lands, showing location of Yazd |
Yazd or
Yezd (In
Persian: یزد), is the capital of
Yazd province, one of the most ancient and historic cities in
Iran and a centre of
Zoroastrian culture. The city is located some 175 miles southeast of
Isfahan, at 31.92° North, 54.37° East. In
2005 it had an estimated population of 433,836 people.
[1] In 2006 it had an estimated population of 505,037. [
2]. Because of generations of adaptations to its desert surroundings, Yazd is an architecturally unique city. It is also known in Iran for the high quality handicrafts, especially
silk weaving, and its sweets shops.
Yazd is situated at an
oasis where the
Dasht-e Kavir desert and the
Dasht-e Lut desert meet (the city is sometimes called "the bride of the Kavir" because of its location), in a valley between
Shir Kuh, the tallest mountain in the region at 4075 m. above sea level, and Kharaneq. The city itself is located at 1203 m. above sea-level, and covers 16,000 sq. km.
The climate is generally very dry, with cold winters and hot summers. The temperature tends to fluctuate dramatically, even between night and day, but especially summer to winter. Temperatures of 40°C in the summer and -20°C in the winter have been recorded.
The city has a 3000 year long history, dating back to the time of the
Median empire, when it was known as Ysatis (or Issatis). The present city name, however, may have been derived from
Yazdegerd I, a
Sassanid ruler. The city was definitely a Zoroastrian centre during Sassanid times. After the
Islamic conquest of Persia, many Zoroastrians fled to Yazd from neighbouring provinces. The city remained Zoroastrian even after the conquest by paying a levy, and only gradually did
Islam come to be the dominant religion in the city.
Image:Yazd-city.jpg|The city as seen from the tall minarets of its 12th century mosque.Image:Yazd-jame.jpg|The 12th century Friday Mosque of Yazd is still in use today. It was first built under Ala'oddoleh Garshasb of the Al-e Bouyeh dynasty.Image:Ateshkadeh yazd.jpg|The zoroastrian temple of YazdImage:Bad Gir Yazd Dolat Abad.jpg|The windcatcher of "Dowlat-abad" in Yazd, is a fine example of desert Persian architecture.Because of its remote desert location and the difficulty of approach, Yazd had remained largely immune to large battles and the destruction and ravages of war. For instance, it was a haven for those fleeing from destruction in other parts of
Persia during the invasion of
Genghis Khan. It was visited by
Marco Polo in
1272 who remarked on the city's fine silk weaving industry. It briefly served as the capital of the
Muzaffarid Dynasty in the
14th century, and was sieged unsuccessfully in 1350–1351 by the
Injuids under
Shaikh Abu Ishaq. The Friday (or Congregation) Mosque, arguably the city's greatest architectural landmark, as well as other important buildings date to this period. During the
Qajar dynasty (18th Century AD) it was ruled by the
Bakhtiari Khans.
Yazd is of foremost importance as a centre of
Persian architecture. Because of its climate, it has one of the largest networks of
qanats in the world, and Yazdi qanat makers are considered the most skilled in Iran. To deal with the extremely hot summers, many old buildings in Yazd have magnificent
windcatchers, and large underground areas. The city is also home to prime examples of
yakhchals, the latter of which were used to store ice retrieved from glaciers the nearby mountains. Yazd is also one of the largest cities built almost entirely out of
adobe.
Yazd's heritage as a centre of Zoroastrianism is also important. There is a
Tower of Silence on the outskirts, and the city itself has a
Fire Temple, which holds a fire that has been kept alight continuously since
470 AD. Presently, zoroastrians make up a significant minority of the population, around 20 - 40,000 or 5 to 10%.
Always known for the quality of its silk and carpets, Yazd today is one of Iran's industrial centers for textiles. There is also a considerable ceramics and construction materials industry and unique confectionery and jewelry industries. A significant portion of the population is also employed in other industries including agriculture, dairy, metal works and machine manufacturing. There are a number of companies involved in the growing information technology industry, mainly manufacturing primary materials such as cables and connectors. Currently Yazd is the home of the largest manufacturer of fibre optics in Iran.
Yazd's confectioneries have a tremendous following throughout Iran, which has been a source of tourism for the city. Workshops (
experts or
khalifehs) keep their recipes a guarded secret and there are many that have remained a private family business for many generations.
Baghlava,
ghotab and
pashmak are the most popular sweets made in the city.
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The medieval Takyeh Amir Chakhmagh, Yazd. |
*
Mohammad Khatami, former president of Iran was born in Yazd.
*
Mohammad Reza Aref, Vice President of Iran from 2001 to 2005.
*
Moshe Katsav, President of Israel was born in Yazd.
*
Mirza Mohammad Farrokhi Yazdi, poet and politician.
*
Saeed Mortazavi, General Prosecutor of
Tehran.
*
Mohammad Ali Sadouqi, minister in Mohammad Khatami's cabinet.
*
Mohammad Jafar Pouyandeh, Iranian dissident murdered in
1998.
The
University of Yazd was established in
1988. It has a college of Architecture specializing in traditional Persian Art and Architecture. Yazd and its nearby towns contain the following institutes of higher education:
*#
University of Yazd *#
Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences and Health Services *# Islamic Azad University of Bafgh
*#
Islamic Azad University of Maybod *#
Islamic Azad University of Yazd*#
Yazd Sampad Information Center*
Jászberény,
Hungary*
Yazd on stanford.edu*
Yazd.com*
YazdTourism.com*
Yazd Research & Clinical Center for Infertility*
Yazd University*
The Largest private sector steel plant in Iran*
Cultural Heritage Organization Bureau of Yazd Province
