The Tomb of Hafez, located in the Musalla Gardens in Shiraz, is the mausoleum of 14th-century Persian poet Khajeh Shams al-Din Mohammad Hafez-e Shirazi (1331-1337). The tomb is situated in the middle of the second and supper garden in line with the centre of the Colonnade, and the ancient tombstone has remained its original position. Visitors can take a calming walk around the gardens, admire the elaborate ceiling of the cupola and stop for tea and rose water at the teahouse.

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The original Hafez structure was made in 1773 in the time of Karim Khan Zand, and in the centre stood four stone columns, the north and south sides were open, and on each of the other two sides a room had been built. The actual tomb of Hafez was outside and behind this building in the middle of the cemetery, and later on, an iron railing was fixed round the tomb, which did not have a fitting appearance.

Here is a poem by Hafez:

نديدم خوشتر از شعر تو حافظ
به قرآنى كه اندر سينه دارى

I have never seen any poetry sweeter than thine, O Hafez,
I swear it by that Koran which thou keepest in thy bosom.

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Satellite image of the Tomb of Hafez in Shiraz

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Sheikh Lotf Allah Mosque is one of the architectural masterpieces of Safavid Iranian architecture, standing on the eastern side of Naghsh-i Jahan Square, Isfahan, Iran. The Shaykh Lutfallah (Sheikh Lotf Allah) Mosque was begun in about 1603 under the auspices of Shah Abbas Safavi who rightly so is called Shah Abbas the Great. It was completed in 1619. The Shaykh Lutfallah Mosque has no minarets as it was a private mosque used by the Safavid royal family members, presumably they did not need to be called to prayer. It is also known as the “Lady’s or Women’s Mosque” as the ladies of the court could worship there in private.

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The Lutfallah Mosque takes its name from Sheikh Lutfallah (Lotf Allah) Maisi Al-Amili, the distinguished scholar and teacher who came to Isfahan at Abbas’s request and took up ‘residence on the site; the mosque was only named after him later, after his death in 1622/23. Emerging from such a dark, twisting corridor, the interior of the mosque is a huge contrast, for the vast, glowing room is probably the most perfectly balanced interior in all Persian architecture. The additional function of the building is rather puzzling. In the foundation inscription over the entrance portal, it is called a mosque but the building lacks the standard accoutrements such as a courtyard, side galleries or minarets.

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Satellite image of the Lutfallah Mosque

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A nigh view of the magnificent Khaju Bridge in Isfahan, Iran. This is one of the most famous bridges in Isfahan and has roused the admiration of travelers since the 17th century. It has 23 arch and is 105 metres long and 14 metres wide, and links the Khaju quarter on the north bank with the Zoroastrian quarter across the Zayandeh rud river.

The pass way of the bridge is 7.5 meters wide, made of bricks and stones with 21 larger and 26 smaller inlet and outlet channels. The pieces of stone used in this bridge are over 2 meters long and the distance between every channel and the ceiling base is 20 meters. The existing inscriptions suggest that the bridge was repaired in 1873.

Satellite map of the Khaju Bridge in Isfahan.
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This was my first postcard from the Islamic Republic of Iran. It shows the modern city center of Tehran - Valiasr Square. According to Wikipedia Valiasr Street is the longest street in Middle East. It is tree-lined and divides the metropolis of Tehran into western and eastern parts. The street is considered one of Tehran’s main thoroughfares and commercial centers.

Satellite view of Valiasr Square, Tehran.
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This beautiful scenic postcard shows Mount Damavand in Persia, Iran. The postcard itself has no description, there is only manufacturer’s stamp: Farhangsara Yassavoli. As for the mountain: Damavand volcano towers dramatically 50 km to the NE above Iran’s capital city of Tehran. The 5670-m-high stratovolcano is the highest volcano in the Middle East and was constructed above the southern rim of a 9-km-wide caldera.

View satellite map of Damavand volcano.
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