4 reasons Mashhad is worth visiting even if you are not a Shi’a or religious person. Let’s find out why?

1. Book of Kings ‘Shahname’

Meet one of the giants of Persian literature who wrote the Shahname ‘Book of Kings’ Ferdowsi the father of modern day Persian language. The famous character of Rustam and Sohrab a father and son who fought each other in a battle none of them loses nor win – one cannot rejoice nor mourn. An epic that proves Persian has the longest and existing civilization on earth.

• Mashhad Tours

Other places of interest in Mashhad are but not limited to: Nadershah tomb, Arg-e tous, Haroonieh, Attar tomb, Khayyam tomb, Kamal Almolk tomb,  Caravanserai

• Holy Shrine Tour
• Neishabour Tour
• Karavanserais Tour

2. Famous but often unheard Mausoleums

Harun Alrashid of the Abbasid caliphate is known to have ruled Persian, Iraq, Syria and many other neighboring countries. The city name that is now known to us as Mashhad was actually named Dar al-Imara also known as Mausoleums of Haruneye the tomb of Harun built on Azeri style of architecture very close proximity to Ferdowsi tomb and the memorial of the world famous Sunni mystic of 13th century Al-Ghazali al Tusi.

Harun Al Rashid rule marks the beginning of Islamic Golden era, built Bayt-al Hikma ‘House of Wisdom in Iraq. It is worth knowing this few fact when visiting Mashhad. Because most the Iraqi Shiites travel to this city every year in huge number.

3. Place of Martyrdom

Mashhad or the ‘Place of Martyrdom’ known as the holiest city in Iran – it is the home to the eighth Shi’ite Imam Ali Bin Moosa Al Reza (as) holy shrine, the great grandson of Imam Ali (as) who was the cousin and son-in-law of Prophet Mohammad (saw). This beautiful city bordering with Afghanistan and Turkmenistan was known as Dar al-Imara in Khorrasan because of the martyrdom of the 8th Shi’te Imam the city became know as Mashhad we know today. It’s so culturally rich and beautiful city.

4. Silk Road and the Caravanserai

We all heard the word ‘motel’ or motorist hotel a very convenient lodging for truckers or vacationers build on the roadside. No one can deny the Persian Royal Road – the main arteries of the ancient Silk Road. What we want to highlight here the list of Karavanserais ancient ‘roadside inns’ in Mashhad where the ancient travelers, merchants, traders used to rest. Caravanserai is of special importance in Khorasan Razavi province due to the passage of the Silk Road from its northern part. Other famous Keravansay also still exist in many cities such as Tehran, Isfahan, Yazd, Karaj, Robatkarim…

• Baba Ghodrat Caravansarai
• Taregh Caravansarai
• Sharaf Caravansarai
• Verani Caravansarai
• Robatkhakestari Caravansarai
• Sangbast Caravansarai
• Fakhr Davood Caravansarai

A caravanserai was a building with a square or rectangular walled exterior, with a single portal wide enough to permit large or heavily laden beasts such as camels to enter. Open to the sky courtyard. Inside walls of the enclosure were outfitted with a number of identical animal stalls, bays, niches or chambers to accommodate merchants and their merchandises.

Caravanserais provided water for human and animal consumption, washing. Sometimes they had elaborate public ‘hammam’ baths , or other attached amenities such as a fountain or fond. They also kept fodder for animals and had shops for travelers where they could acquire new supplies. In addition, some shops bought goods from the travelling merchants.

Mashhad is full of hotel, recreation center and Bazar

Bonus info for you – Mashhad due to its popularity among local and international tourist/pilgrims to the holy Shrine, it is a city full of hotel in every streets ranging from budget to luxurious property scattered around the holy shrine and the city proper and even outskirt area ideal for those who are planning to cross the border. Bazaar and restaurants and indoor/outdoor recreation are available to those who wish to relax and have fun for themselves and their family.

<br><a href=”http://visit2iran.com/mashhad-tours/”>http://visit2iran.com/mashhad-tours/</a>

Mashhad is a city in northeast Iran, known as a place of religious pilgrimage. It’s centered on the vast Holy Shrine of Imam Reza, with golden domes and minarets that are floodlit at night. The circular complex also contains the tomb of Lebanese scholar Sheikh Bahai, plus the 15th-century, tile-fronted Goharshad Mosque, with a turquoise dome. Museums within the shrine include the Carpet Museum, with many rare pieces.