Iran: Center of the Persian Empire

The area that is Iran today is home to one of the oldest human civilizations and was the center of the Persian Empire, officially the Achaemenid Persian Empire. Any visitor can see remnants of this incredible period in Iran's past. Iran’s culture is deeply intertwined with its long and rich history, especially from the Persian Empire. Art, literature, architecture, and music have deep roots which are still visible today. Thanks to Leila for going with our Australian guests to Persepolis and helped them to being exposed to Persian culture, people, history, lifestyle and hospitality.

Leila going with our Australian guests to Persepolis

Persian Hammams: A Hidden Aspect of Iranian Culture

For Iranian, having a bath in addition to cleansing the body, is a religious ritual. In all pre-Islamic religions like Zoroastrianism bathing was one of the necessary conditions of participating in ceremonies. Many signs of the existence of baths were found in Persepolis by archeologists, and it was concluded that the construction of public baths was common in all cities of Iran since the Achaemenid era.

The architecture of these bathrooms or Hammams are very different from the design of modern bathrooms. In the old days, the bathroom was composed of four parts called Sardine, Garmkhane, Khazine, and Chalhoz, and those who had to enter the bathroom had to pass through these spaces; each of them has its own therapeutic properties. In Sardineh, which has a cool and dry space in the bathroom, people still had their  clothes on, and at the time they came to greet and chat with other people to purify their souls as well as their bodies. Alongside Sardinah, however, there was the main bathroom space called Garmkhane with a warm and dry texture, which in fact was a space for bathing and having massage. After this, there was a warmer and more natural space called Khazine and thereafter it was a cold water pool which was named chalhoz. There was a strict rule saying that the water of Khazine and Chalhoz should be entered on one side and out of the other side so that the water inside of these two pools would remain constantly clean, which if they were not, they considered the bathroom unhealthy. Enjoying a warm Iranian bath is a unique cultural experience. For first timers it may be a little daunting, but once you get used to it, the Iranian bath often becomes an addiction; relaxing, healing, and regenerating its followers.

While you are in Kerman and Shiraz, don’t hesitate to visit Ganjali khan Hammam of Kerman or Vakil Bath of Shiraz where suggest you the relaxed and alive atmosphere of Persian Hammams.

Ganjali khan Bath of Kerman

"Nakhjir eco-lodge"

  “Nakhjir eco-lodge”, founded in 2015, is located in Naraaq city of Markazi province (central Iran). This hundred-year-old house is constructed exactly on principals of Persian architecture style. The rooms, which are surrounding the yard, are equipped with cooling and heating system and the whole eco-lodge is capable of receiving 15 to 25 guests. You can choose to sleep on beds or on old-style mattresses. “Nakhjir eco-lodge” has a nice yard with old trees and a small blue pool at the center. You can seat on old benches in the yard and enjoy the old Iranian atmosphere.

   While you are staying in “Nakhjir eco-lodge” you can visit different attractions of Naraaq which is a historical city. The old district, including old houses, Jaame mosque, Ab-Anbar (water reservoir), bazar and caravanserai are historical attractions and Gisu waterfall, Jasb wildlife refuge and Nakhjir cave are natural attractions of Naraaq.

   “Nakhjir eco-lodge” is focused on serving traditional cuisines, like Kashko bademjan (eggplant and whey), Gheymeh (spilt peas and lamb stew), Ghorme sabzi (vegetable and lamb stew) and other Iranian cuisines which are prepared with organic and healthy ingredients.

  Promoting the cultural and traditional ethics of Naraaq and reviving old Iranian costumes have been the main goals of founding this eco-lodge and you can touch old Iranian lifestyle in this peaceful eco-lodge.

The beautiful yard of "Nakhjir eco-lodge".

A bedroom in "Nakhjir eco-lodge".

Meymand eco-lodge with 12000 year old rooms!

“Meymand eco-lodge” has been founded about 15 years ago in Meymand, a weird village in the east of Kerman province. This special residence includes 7 sets of old hand-dug rooms named “Kicheh” that can be rented by the tourists. These hand-dug rooms with low ceilings are still home to the families living in Meymand village, which is inscribed by UNESCO as a world heritage site. According to the potteries found in this area, the archaeologists have estimated that this village is 3000 years old, but studies on some petroglyphs in the area take this village’s antiquity to 12000 years ago!

  These hand-dug rooms are equipped with a piece of kilim and a wooden bed and this is what makes this simplicity eco-lodge so special. The best months for visiting Meymand is March to June. During these months the weather is at its best and the nature around the village is so stunning. In summer the weather is quite hot in Meymand and it gets mild during late September to November. So, autumn is a good time for visiting this eco-lodge, too.

  What is interesting to the tourists, is meeting the nomad people who have chosen to sojourn in these small rooms and keep their old lifestyle which is dependent on nature. These nomads stay in the pastures during spring and spend their time feeding their livestock. The next four months (approximately July to October) is the farming season and they stay in their rooms during the cold winter months.

  Visitors can have their meals in one of these hand-dug rooms which is converted into a small restaurant. Different kinds of traditional cuisines, like “Kale josh” (made with zucchini, lamb and whey), “Eshkeneh” (a simple dish made with egg) and different kinds of stews are served in this restaurant. Well-brewed tea, made with wild herbs, found in this area is also available.

The hand-dug rooms of Meymand village.

Iranian pottery, labor of love.

  Iranian Pottery has been a fabulous art done in this country since 8000 BC according to the remarkable earthen dishes and statuettes excavated in different ancient cities like Sialk in central Iran, Susa in southern Iran, Marlik in northern Iran and Jiroft in eastern Iran.

  Khayyam, the great Iranian poet, mathematician and philosopher has used the words potter, pottery workshop and pot as the symbols of God, the universe and human in his meaningful poems, indicating that this art has its own place in Iranian culture.

  Today, in cities of Iran many people are still busy with pottery as their job or as an entertainment. In Laleh-jin, a city in Hamedan province, hundreds of earthen dishes, glazed in different colors, are produced every day. In Meibod which is a desert city near Yazd, the pottery dishes are ornamented with beautiful patterns like the sun, little birds and fish and in Sistan va Baluchistan potter women paint geometric and abstracted patterns on their pottery dishes. In other provinces like Qom, Minab, Shahreza, and Bandar-Abbas you can find people who are busy with pottery, too. 

  In all of the mentioned cities you can visit Iranian pottery workshops, see different earthen dishes and you can even sit at the back of a pottery wheel and experience this relaxing art that has accompanied mankind during millenniums.

  Uppersia travel is willing to be in charge of required arrangements so that you can visit traditional pottery workshops and experience Iranian pottery.

A tourist visiting a pottery workshop in Iran