Let’s discover Yazd neighborhood and walk around history
Yazd province is one of the fascinating and historical provinces of our country Iran which has many places of interest. In addition to the center of this province, which is the city of Yazd, there are many surprises to see aroung Yazd that are often overlooked during the trip to Yazd. In the following, we will introduce you to the oldest and most scenic historical sights around Yazd.
1- Yazd Chak Chak Shrine | Mysterious shrine
One of the most important Zoroastrian shrines with interesting and mysterious stories is Chak Chak shrine 43 km east of Ardakan which is also called Pir Sabz or Chakchako shrine and is the hiding place of Nik Banu – the daughter of Yazdgerd III. Chak Chak is one of the most popular places around Yazd which hosts domestic and foreign tourists most of the year.
Chak Chak or “Chak Chako” is one of the important Zoroastrian shrines. This shrine which Zoroastrians also call Pir Sabz, is located in Yazd province, near the city of Ardakan. Zoroastrians gather in this shrine for four days every year from June 14 and worship the God. This shrine is located 68 km northwest of the center of Yazd province and on the slopes of the mountain of the same name.
Zoroastrians have many shrines in Yazd province and all these shrines are important to them, but Chak Chak shrine is more famous due to its geographical location and special shape, and every year at different times of the year not only hosts a large number of Zoroastrians but also tourists. However, from June 14 to 18, this place is exclusively for Zoroastrians and the followers of this religion from different cities, provinces and countries participate in this ceremony.
Every year, Zoroastrians from all over the world gather in this holy place (Sepandineh) and spend their time in this place by performing rituals such as wearing a head covering, chanting, spreading vows, public worship and also in their free time with healthy recreation. They pass the shrine and the newlyweds celebrate the beginning of a new life in this place.
2- Kharanegh historical village | The birthplace of Iranian sun
One of the oldest and most historic villages of Yazd province is Kharanagh village which means “birthplace of the sun” in Ardakan city. Upon entering the village of Kharanegh, an old and large mud-brick castle with 6 watchtowers and winding alleys stands out. Kharanegh Castle, which has benefited from ancient and simple architecture, has been built in 2 or 3 floors in most parts and 4 floors in some parts and has a total of 80 houses.
In addition to this historical castle, Kharanegh village of Yazd has interesting and unique structures including the three-story brick and mud minarets belonging to Safavid period, Kharanegh Old Mosque, the only water transfer bridge in Yazd province on the Kal River, Kharanegh caravansary.
Why Kharanegh village?
- Kharanegh village is one of the less seen destinations in Iran which has been highly regarded by European tourists.
- It has one of the largest brick structures in Iran.
- This village which is 4500 years old, is very valuable from a historical point of view, and unfortunately, due to factors such as erosion, it may not be left in the coming years, and it is considered as one of the endangered monuments in Iran.
- The old caravansary of Kharanegh which is prepared and equipped for travelers will make a different and memorable trip for you.
- Kharanegh minaret is one of the reasons that draws travelers to this village.
- It has one of the largest rural residential castles in Yazd province.
- It is one of the few castles in the world that has two-storey and multi-storey houses.
Familiarity with Kharanegh village
Kharanegh is the name of a village in 60 km of Ardakan city of Yazd province which is a unique example of village structure. With its 4,500-year-old history, it attracts tourists from all over the world and is so famous in Europe that when talking about Iran, the name of this village is heard more than the name of Iran.
The village has two parts; The new part, where more than 50 people live, and the old part, or Kharanegh Castle which until recently hosted the villagers; But it was depopulated about 30 years ago due to erosion; Abandoned, which is one of the great brick structures of Iran and amazes every eye.
It is not bad to know that Kharanegh is very important economically and is considered as one of the important economic centers of the country due to the existence of iron ore mines, uranium, zinc and granite.
What does Kharanegh mean?
The elders know this village as Kharanegh and if you ask them about the meaning of the name of this village, they will tell you: the birthplace of the sun.
3- Mehriz village; Monument of Seljuks
If you want to visit a village with a long history and various historical monuments, Mehriz village with its famous caravansary is one of these places. Mehriz, with a thousand-year history and a relic from the Seljuk era, is located 5 km from the city of Mehriz.
It is said that Mehriz village was the gate of Yazd city in the past. The village had a good commercial and political geographical location, so it was very prosperous.
One of the special features of this village is the existence of historical monuments from different eras, so that it is as if every one can observe the passage of history by visiting it. Some of the sights of this village are: castle, caravansary, Grand Mosque, printing house, historical bath, water storage and …
Mehriz Castle is one of the buildings that dates back to the Sassanid era and is known as the largest safe deposit box in the world.
Mehriz is a city in Yazd province in the center of Iran and the center of this city is Mehriz and an area including several villages that in the past were called Mehrijard and were attributed to the daughter of Anoushirvan Mehrnegar.
During the Sassanid dynasty, about 1600 years ago, this city was an area located in the southern part of the Yazd plain and southeast of Shirkuh, and there were aqueducts that originated 40 km away. Researchers believe that daughter of Anoushirvan Sassanid named Mehrnegar ordered the construction of these aqueducts in this area which reached its source through a relatively short route, and after these aqueducts caused the development of villages in this area and relative prosperity. For this point, the commanders and rulers under this lady and the Sassanid prince named the new village Mehrgerd, and over time, Mehrgerd became Mehrijard and gradually became known as Mehriz.
The population of this Mehriz is 51733 people and from the north with Yazd, from the south with Shahr-e Babak and Anarastan of Kerman and Khatam city, Taft city in the west and Bafgh city in the east are the neighbors of this city. This city is 35 km south of Yazd.
In the construction of Mehriz houses, the climate of the region played a great and effective role, and with the aim of preventing sunlight, Mehriz houses were built in such a way that it was in the opposite direction of light and high walls that put shadows on one side of the houses solved this problem. The area was settling. It is interesting to know that in the past, in Mehriz houses, like in some other places, there were two entrances, one for women and the other for men.
The level of porches and courtyards was two or three steps lower than the level of the alley which created a cool environment in the summer. The courtyards were mostly quadrangular, and in each corner a room was made for different occasions. To the north and east, there were winter rooms that were sunny, and to the south or west there was a hall or guest house. In general, the main reason for combining traditional architecture and its special style is the geographical conditions of the region and the desert environment.
4- Naryn castle Meybod; Ancient fortress dating back to history
Naryn castle Meybod Fortress is one of the oldest historical monuments in Meybod, which is located 56 km from Yazd. According to archaeologists, settlement in this castle began from about 4 to 3 thousand years BC, and thus, Naryn Castle Meybod had the oldest human civilization in all around Yazd province.
Naryn castle Meybod is generally a clay and mud structure with several large towers and ramparts that stands on top of a hill 25 meters high. This building with its ancient and beautiful architecture, along with other places of interest in Yazd, can take tourists and travelers on a journey into the heart of history for a few hours.
Naryn castle Meybod Yazd is one of the historical and magnificent monuments of ancient Iran in Sassanid era, whose architecture and art have been admired by archaeologists and historians. This ancient building was registered in 1975 with the number 3490.
Iran with a history of several thousand years, is one of the lands that can be called the cradle of human culture, history and civilization. Numerous and magnificent historical monuments erected in the place of this ancient land, is like a radiant gem that has caused the pride of today’s generation.
Naryn castle which was also known as Dalan Fortress among the ancients, was built on a high hill which can be placed on the whole city and overlook the aristocracy. Some architectural experts believe that this huge historical mansion is an ancient fortress which is considered as one of the surviving brick buildings from ancient Iran. Due to the type of architecture used in it, is still firmly established in the heart of history. Archaeologists and architects have attributed the area of this historical monument which dates back to the Parthian and pre-Islamic times, to 3 hectares in the royal section and in some sources 15,000 square meters, which according to this number, is related to the civilization section. The architects and designers of this ancient Iranian work built the Meybod Castle in seven floors in a way that has different towers, fortifications and gates.
