Historical sites

thumb|Wind towers and domes form part of the skyline of Yazd

Yazd is an important centre of Iranian architecture. Because of its climate, it has one of the largest networks of qanats (underground water supply systems) 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 wind towers and large underground areas.

thumb|left|[[Yazd Tower of Silence]]

The city is also home to prime examples of yakhchals, which were used to store ice retrieved from glaciers in the nearby mountains. Yazd is also one of the largest cities built almost entirely out of adobe.

Yazd's heritage as a center of Zoroastrianism is also important. There is a Tower of Silence on the outskirts, and the city has an ateshkadeh which holds a fire that has been kept alight continuously since 470 AD. Zoroastrians make up a small minority of the population of Yazd, around 1,000 out of 600,000.

thumb|[[Fire Temple of Yazd]]

The 11th-century brick mausoleum and shrine Davāzdah Imām is the oldest dated building in the city.

Built in 12th century and still in use, Jame Mosque of Yazd is an example of the finest Persian mosaics and excellent architecture. Its minarets are the highest in the country. Tomb of Sayyed Rukn ad-Din is nearby the mosque.

Economy

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 jewellery 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 and have been a source of tourism for the city. Confectioners workshops (khalifehs, or experts) keep their recipes a guarded secret, and there are many that have remained a private family business for many generations. Baklava, ghotab and pashmak are the most popular sweets made in the city.

In 2000 the Yazd Water Museum opened; it features exhibits of water storage vessels and historical technologies related to water.

Yazd has expanded its industrial fields since the 1980s. With at least three main industrial areas each containing over 70 different factories, Yazd has become one of the most technologically advanced cities of Iran.

Transportation

In addition to its connection with major Iranian cities via Iranian Railways, Yazd is served by the Shahid Sadooghi Airport.

Politics

  • Eskandar Aslani (circa 1979)
  • Muhammad-Ali Vahdati
  • Ali-Akbar Farshi
  • Muhammad-Hassan Khorshidnam
  • Hosseyn A'laii
  • Muhammad-Mahdi Sherafat
  • Ali-Akbar Aramun
  • Morteza Shayeq
  • Ali-Akbar Mirvakili
  • Mohammad Azim Zadeh (circa 2017)

Famous residents

thumb|[[Mohammad Khatami, former president of Iran; born in Ardakan of Yazd.]]

  • Iraj Afshar, bibliographer, historian, and an iconic figure in the field of Persian studies
  • Reza Amrollahi, Head of Atomic Energy Organization of Iran 1981–1997
  • Mohammad Reza Aref, Vice President of Iran from 2001 to 2005
  • Reza Ardakanian, professor, politician and the former Minister of Energy of Iran
  • Vahshi Bafghi, poet
  • Habibollah Bitaraf, former Minister of Energy
  • Ahmad Fardid, philosopher and professor
  • Mohammad Ali Jafari, commander of the Army of the Guardians of the Islamic Revolution of Iran
  • Moshe Katsav, former President of Israel
  • Sems Kesmai, poet
  • Mohammad Khatami, former president of Iran; born in Ardakan
  • Mohammad-Ali Eslami Nodooshan, author
  • Zia'eddin Tabatabaee, Iranian politician and the Prime Minister of Iran
  • Mehdi Azar Yazdi, author of children's stories
  • Mirza Mohammad Farrokhi Yazdi, poet and politician
  • Sharaf ad-Din Ali Yazdi, 15th-century Persian historian.

Education

thumb|[[University of Yazd]]

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:

Twin towns – sister cities

Yazd is twinned with:

  • Holguín, Cuba
  • Homs, Syria
  • Jászberény, Hungary
  • Poti, Georgia

<gallery mode="packed">

File:Yazd entrance.JPG|Yazd Entrance

File:Amir Chakhmaq Complex, Yazd.jpg|Amir Chakhmaq Complex

File:Mezquita del Viernes, Yazd, Irán, 2016-09-21, DD 11.jpg|Jameh Mosque

File:Dolat Abad Garden - Pavilion 01.jpg|Dowlatabad Garden pavilion with wind tower

File:Zurkhaneh, Yazd 01.jpg|A Zurkhaneh in Yazd

File:Casa Lari, Yazd, Irán, 2016-09-21, DD 19.jpg|Lari House in Yazd

File:971117-DadHotel-Yazd-Pan02.jpg|alt=Dad Hotel|Dad Hotel, Yazd, Iran

File:باغ خوشنویس.jpg|Khoshnevis Garden

</gallery>

See also

Notes

References

Citations

Bibliography

  • .
  • Rare Photos of Arak, Yazd, Kashan Iranian.com
  • Phototour of the desert city (Yazd)