Agatha Christie in Iran Tour

In 1931 Agatha Christie boarded a 4 seated Junkers plane with a German pilot and traveled into Persia, an adventure that made her interested in Iran and she came back several times. Her interest in a house in Shiraz (Naranjestan Qavam) resulted in creating a short story called "The house at Shiraz". We will take her path in Iran in this trip. She flew over Kermanshah and Hamadan and landed in Tehran and continued to Isfahan and Shiraz. We start this trip in Kermanshah west of Iran and finish it in Shiraz in Southwest. We also investigate the house at Shiraz that is the location of Agatha's story.

Narenjestan Qavam House

October 29: Cyrus the Great Memorial Day

The Tomb of Cyrus the great is the most important monument in Pasargadae, represents the mastery of Cyrus the Great, first Persian king who was set up the first Persian dynasty 2000 years ago. It is located just 141km far from Shiraz, north east from Persepolis. October 29 is nominated as the day of “Cyrus the Great”, the King of Persia, who declared the first charter of human rights in the world. Iranians believe that October 29 is the anniversary of the entrance of Cyrus into Babylon. The most prominent event of the day is gathering in the tomb of Cyrus, located in Pasargadae and commemorate Cyrus the Great. Thanks to Nazanin for taking this of our Dutch travelers in Pasargadae.

Nazanin accompanied our Dutch travelers in Pasargadae.

The Ancient Qanat Technology in Iran

Due to arid climate and high evaporation in the Yazd province and other dry lands in Iran, people have developed the qanat system of tapping alluvial aquifers at the heads of valleys and conducting the water along underground tunnels using only gravitational force, often over many kilometers, to overcome the challenge of water scarcity and distribute water. Like this, the water from the qanat would come in the basements and go from one home to other. This underground system, which is traditionally originated from ancient Persia, was done by hand over decades and the technology was developed by Persians about 3000 years ago and the techniques were spread from Persia westward and eastward. This genius method of water harvesting is registered in the World Heritage List of UNESCO. 

Qanat