Mashhad

Mashhad is a city located in the northeast of Iran, the center and capital of RazaviKhorasan Province and the second largest populated city after Tehran. Mashhad waschosen as Iran’s Capital during the reign of Nader Shah Afshar. The city features atemperate and variable climate. The two mountain ranges of Binalood and Hezar-masjed with high peaks are located in this area converting it to a semi-mountainousregion. The city was officially elected as Iran’s Spiritual Capital by Doctor Ahmadinejadand Parliament deputies in 2009.

The mausoleum of Ali ibn Musa Al Reza is situated in Mashhad. By the end of the 9thcentury a dome was built on his grave and his shrine was expanded. The first dome ofImam Reza’s shrine was built under the command of the Sultan Sanjar, a Seljuq king,and the efforts of his minister, Sharaf al-Din Ghomi. The dome was made of tiles. Butclay tiles were collected by Shah Tahmasp Safavi and a gold-plated dome was built overit. In 1973, the gold-plated dome was renovated. Shrine of Imam Reza contains a totalof seven courtyards (Sahn) .

Ferdowsi’s Tomb

The tomb of Ferdowsi is in Tus. The Tus area was built during the mythological periodby an Iranian hero named Tus, and the great epic poet of Iran was also buried in thesame area. The tomb was inaugurated during the Ferdowsi’s Millennium celebrations in1934. Ferdowsi’s tomb was designed by Houshang Seyhoun in 1969 and sculpturesdepicting some of Shahnameh’s stories were sculptured on its walls by the beststonemasons. This tomb was built and designed after the tomb of Cyrus.

Sheikh Bahai’s Tomb

Baha al-Din Mohammad ibn Hossein Ameli known as Sheikh Bahai was a renownedscholar in 10th&11th-century AH. He contributed numerous works in philosophy, logic,astronomy and mathematics. His works include over 88 articles, epistles and books. Healso composed outstanding poems. He died in 1610 in Isfahan. According to his will, hisbody was buried in Mashhad near the Shrine of Imam Ali ibn Musa Al Reza and next tothe Museum of Astan Quds Razavi.

Peer-e-Palandooz Tomb (the old pack saddler)

This tomb belongs to Mohammad Aref Abbasi (also known as Palandooz after his jobbecause he made pack saddles to earn his living), a great Gnostic in 10th-century AH. Itconsists of a square building with an onion-shaped dome. There are remnants ofpaintings from the Safavid era inside the mausoleum and on the roof. This mausoleumwas built in 985 AH.

The historical village of Kang

Kang is a village in Torqabeh Rural District, Mashhad County. The exterior view of thevillageis similar to Masuleh- the historical village located in Gilan Province. Roofs of thehouses serve as pedestrian areas similar to streets. That’s why Kang village is referredto as the second Masuleh. The spectacular architecture of Kang as well as its temperateclimate and green nature are the main reasons of popularity of this village amongpeople of Mashhad and also pilgrims of the city. Kang means “a strong claw living in themountains” in the local dialect and also means a strong fortress against others

Harounieh Dome

Harounieh is a cube-shaped building located in Tus. Due to its greatness, pillars’diameter and dome, the building has a specific architecture. It is also called “Haroun’sPrison” by ordinary people. Recent investigations say that Harounieh dome is amausoleum or Khanqah which was built and used in the 7th or 8th century (AH)

Kooh Sangi

Kooh sangi is one of the oldest and most memorable sights of Mashhad that it is socalled due to two rocky mountain overlooking the city. This place is ranked as the thirdmost visited place by tourists after Imam Reza holy shrine and Ferdowsi’s tomb. Thecreation of an artificial lake and an island for birds has attracted a large number oftourists. This park has been recently developed and expanded. It is the largestrecreation center in Mashhad after Mellat Park.

Torghabeh

Torghabeh which is now considered as one of the cities in Mashhad has been anancient rural district in Tus, which is located in the midst of a flourishing valley. The cityhas numerous tourist attractions and among Shandiz and Kang is known as one of themain tourism sites in Khorasan Province. Luxurious and elegant restaurants servingvarious foods invite everyone. Puneh garden has been recently established inTorghabeh which is very beautiful and eye catching.

Shandiz

The city of Shandiz is located in the northern slopes of the Binalood heights. The cityfeatures a temperate climate, vast gardens and spectacular natural landscapes and isconsidered as one of the major tourist attractions of Mashhad. Shandiz symbol is a2700-year-old plantain tree. Cherry is the main orchard product of this city. The famousfood of Shandiz is 6-pieces grilled lamb called Shishlik which is very delicious. Therecreation centers of this resort are as follows: Forest Park, Golestan tourist complex,Padideh Shandiz restaurant complex, Abardeh ski resort, motorcycle resort, gardensand beautiful landscapes.

Gonbad-e Kheshti (Brick dome)

This dome houses the grave of Imam Zadeh Mohammad whose genealogy can betraced to Musa ibn Jafar (a.s). The building is decorated with two Quranic inscriptionsof Malek and Vaghe’e verses. Dome architecture consists of entrance area, tetrahedralporch and throne area. The dome has been built under the order of Shah Abbas Iduring the Safavid era.

Gonbad-e Sabz (The Green Dome)

This building is the mausoleum of Sheikh Mohammad Momen Aref Astrabadi, who diedin 90 H. Due to its turquoise color, the dome is known as the green dome as well. Thecurrent location of the dome has been a garden where the tomb has been built in themiddle. According to the investigations, the land was owned by Sheikh Momen who haddevoted it during his lifetime. Sheikh Momen was a great pious Shia scholar who wrotethe book “Wasail al-Shia”.

Sheikh Tabarasi’s Tomb

In the northern part of the Revolution Courtyard (Sahn Inqilab) and in the east of Bagh-e-Rezvan of Imam Reza’s shrine, a tiled dome is situated. This tomb belongs to Fazl-ibne-Hasan Tabarasi, a great pious Shia scholar and the writer of the commentaryMajma’-al-Bayan and Javameh-al-Jame. This historical building belongs to the early fifthcentury AH. This tomb is also known as Mafsal Al Reza. It has been mentioned in anarration that the ceremonial washing of the holiness Imam Reza (AS) has been takenplace in this location after his martyrdom.

Vakil Abad Forest Park

Vakil Abad, one of the ancient recreation places in Mashhad, is located in Vakil AbadBlvd. This park consists of a great number of trees such as pine, cypress and plantainand is situated in the midst of a flourishing valley. Streams and pools originating fromVakil Abad aqueducts pass through this place. There is a zoo in this park where avariety of mammals, birds and reptiles are kept there.

Astan-e Quds Razavi Museum

This museum was constructed in the outer courtyard of Imam Reza’s shrine in 1945.The museum dates back to forty years. After the establishment of the Islamic Republicregime, the museum has been developed and expanded. Some of the known museumslocated separately in different buildings near each other.

Sun Palace (Qasr-e- Khorshid)

Sun palace was built under the order of Nader Shah Afshar for storage of the jewelryand trophies in the city of Kalat in 1151 AH. The building construction was continuedduring Nader Shah reign and even to the last years of his life in 1160 AH. The verybeautiful Sols inscription of the Surah al-Naba of Quran which is written all around thismonument also implies this date. The palace contains 12 rooms decorated withpaintings and ornamental works such as plaster moldings. Among the decorations,pictures of the Kings, Princes and Princesses of Afshari Dynasty can be seen in dazzlingcolors.