Mashhad

The holy city of Mashhad in northeastern Iran is the center of Khorasan Razavi province. It is the second most populous city in Iran. Due to the presence of Imam Reza(AS), there are 32 million domestic and 1 million foreign pilgrims annually. Mashhad has a variable but temperate cold and dry climate, with hot and dry summers and cold and humid winters.

One of the first and foremost places of interest in Mashhad is the shrine of Imam Reza(AS). The city of Mashhad is also known as the spiritual capital of Iran due to the presence of Imam Reza(AS) Shrine. Some historical sources have said that the place where the body of Prophet Ali ibn Musa al-Reza(AS) was buried, was a small village near the city of Toos called Sanabad. After the construction of Imam Reza(AS) shrine in this village, a town was built around the shrine which is which is known as Mashhad. The shrine of Imam Reza (AS) is one of the most important historical and religious monuments in Mashhad, with 20 million pilgrims from all over the country and the world traveling to Mashhad for its pilgrimage every year. The burial site of Imam Reza (AS) and the surrounding buildings in the city of Mashhad are said to include shrines, domes, pots, aprons, porches, and hangings.

One of the most valuable works of Imam Reza(AS) Shrine is the Goharshad Mosque. The mosque is one of the relics of the Timurid era and has remained for the past 6 centuries. Also the largest courtyard among the shrine’s courtyards belongs to the courtyard of Goharshad. The mosque, which is part of the four-porch mosque, is made up of four large, historic porches that are symmetry to each other, and these porches cover the courtyard’s four sides. The artistic beauty of the architecture and the historical antiquity of the Goharshad Mosque and being one of the most spectacular places in Mashhad make it one of the most visited mosques in Iran.

Naderi Museum is located in Mashhad. This monument is to commemorate Nader Shah Afshar and introduce the historical monuments and war equipment of that period. In the main part of the building, two halls were built adjacent to each other to display the works. Nader Shah Tomb is a building in the Naderi Museum Garden complex in Mashhad, designed and built in memory of Nadir Shah Afshar in the year 1964 by Houshang Seyhoun, and reopened with the participation of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi at the National Gardens of Iran. The museum is now run by the Cultural Heritage Organization. In the northern corner of the Tomb of Nader, the tomb of Mohammad Taghi Khan Pesian, commander of Khorasan is located.

Mellat Park and Amusement Park is one of Mashhad’s most popular tourist attractions. Mashhad Mellat Park is one of the oldest and largest parks in Mashhad which is one of the most visited sights in Mashhad. The park includes facilities such as: amusement parks, sports fields, a library, a swimming pool, and the Imam Reza Cultural-Art Complex. The first Mashhad amusement park that has no peers in the country, is located in the eastern part of the park. In addition, the eighteenth-largest carousel in the world, as well as the largest and tallest carousel in the Middle East, is 80 meters high in the Mellat Park amusement park.

Vakilabad Forest Park is one of the most spectacular places in Mashhad, located in the southwest of Mashhad. Vakilabad Forest Park was formally dedicated to public use by its owner, Hussein Agha Mallek, in year 1970. This old park with its natural lowlands and highlands, pine and sycamore trees, seasonal rivers and pools and resting places for travelers has long been regarded as one of the bungalows on the outskirts of Mashhad. Vakilabad Garden of Mashhad has a large play town called Shadi Park Mountain with all kinds of amusement and zoo. Vakilabad Zoo is the only Zoo in Mashhad and Khorasan Razavi with a carnivorous, aquatic, reptile and bird zoo.

Padideh Shandiz is another sightseeing spot in Mashhad. Shandiz, with its pleasant climate, is located 38 kilometers west of Mashhad. The area is a mix of diverse rivers, tall valleys and sycamore trees, poplar and purple and the sound of birds like hoopoe. This landscape-like painting is complemented by dense gardens and animals such as boars and wolves. Shandiz is a recreational area that also has a large craft store and a restaurant called Shandiz; A restaurant that is one of the frequent offers in Mashhad.

Torghabeh is one of the most popular bungalows in Mashhad, only 18 km away from Mashhad. Mild climate, rivers, diverse restaurants, souvenir shops, fruit orchards, recreational and historical sites such as Chalidereh Dam, Golestan Dam, Arghavan Valley, Daghestan Valley and Dehbar River are the reasons for the popularity of the area. You can add to this all, eating Dizi and Shishlik of Torghabeh and walking to its alleys. The first half of the year is a good time to go to Torghabeh. In autumn, it is beautiful, but it is one of the coldest places around Mashhad in winter. The lush village of Naghandar is also a sightseeing distance of 10 km away from Torghabeh.

If you go to the village of Torghabeh, don’t forget to see the Chalidreh Dam. Chalidereh is one of the subterranean valleys of Torghabeh that provides for boating and fishing for tourists. There are several restaurants around the dam, but you can make food at home and spend it under a chalet. Chalidreh also has a Telecabin.

The Bread Museum is based on traditional architecture aimed at cultural activity. In the design of the museum, the basis of traditional Iranian architecture was applied using the simplest materials (Iranian brick, lattice, wood and plaster) and the art of craftsmen in the formal creation and knitting and so on. The museum is the first bread museum in the Middle East to include flour milling, wheat picking, threshing, bread making equipment, quern, watermill, windmills, bread types including Sangak, teak bread and pottery bread. Also, the dance Oper, which is one of the rituals of Khorasani and in accordance with the agrarian beliefs of the people of the region, has been shown to the public.

Hakim Abolqasem Ferdowsi’s tomb is located 20 kilometers north of Mashhad in the Toos area and in the pleasant garden. The architecture of this tomb is inspired by the Achaemenid architecture. The Toos Museum and Library is a landmark in the collection, with over 1 million lovers of Shahnameh creators visiting it annually.

Mehdi Gholibek Bath (one of the Timurid rulers), also known as the Shah Bath and Razavi Bath, it is a collection of different sections, including bathrooms and antiques, toiletries, Hana Bandan etc.

Professor Bazima Scientific Park is full of different experiences, Experiences such as rowing, space gyroscope, solar skyscrapers, and the Academy of Biology and Space, especially for children and adolescents.

The Harooniyeh Dome is the only remaining remnant of the city of Tous, dating back to the pre-Islamic era. The work is also made in Azeri architectural style. The Haroonieh dome is also known to the public as the Haroon Prison in the public eye, though some historical evidence has refuted it. In the outer courtyard of the Haroonieh dome, the monument to Imam Mohammad Ghazali is observed. Some have even called this place the place of teaching of this Iranian philosopher.

Daroogheh Historical House in Mashhad was built at the end of the Qajar era by the order of the last sheriff of the city, Yousef Khan Harati. The first fireplace in Mashhad was also built in this house. On September 1, due to its excellent restoration and preservation of its monuments, Iran was placed on the list of thirteen UNESCO Cultural Heritage Awards in the Asia-Pacific region.