Asia

[Visited: May 2022]

After a long day of driving (Bam to Mahan, then to Meymand, and on to Yazd, stopping at several places on the way), it was well past sunset when I finally reached the outskirts of Yazd. It gave me the true pleasure of arriving in a city without knowing what it really looked like, and it made me wake up early out of a burning curiosity. I had heard so many good stories about Yazd - I was dying to see it for myself. So I creep out of my lovely guesthouse, and start exploring the city. To my surprise, I find no one in the streets, so I can freely roam the alleys. I quickly stumble upon the first wind towers, or windcatchers, that are to characteristic of this desert town. They channel any breeze that comes by into the house below, and are an ancient alternative to air conditioning.
One other common feature I find in the streets and alleys of Yazd are the arches spanning them and connecting the adobe houses on both sides. They seem to ensure that the houses will stand straight, and at the same time, they make the streets look more picturesque. I come across small mosques, a prayer school, and walk through market streets where all shops are closed. Then, I find an open space, and see a large building with towers. This is the first time I can see more of the city, and I notice many more windcatchers pointing into the sky. I walk to a bigger street, and finally come across some people and even cars. I walk down to the Amir Chakhmaq complex, which sits on a rectangular square of the same name. It has a medieval mosque, as well as a caravanserai, bath house, tekyeh, and an array of shops. I then continue to walk the covered market streets east of Qiyam street. I come across several stairs leading deep underground: access to the elaborate system of qanats, which have provided the city with water since ancient times.
Meandering through the alleys, the adobe buildings, the ruins, with more mosques and squares, I also find a synagogue, more access points to the qanats, elaborate houses. I realise that Yazd is extremely rich in history, and that I am happy that I have several days to explore this seemingly endless maze of streets. In the following days, I will explore the market streets when the shops are open, I will eat tasty dinners in the fabulous Yazd restaurants, I will enjoy the views from their rooftops, I will visit several of the museums (what about the water museum!), I will meet friendly locals who make me feel welcome. Sometimes, I take shelter in my great guesthouse from the heat and the hazy conditions in the warmest hours of the day. And I will use Yazd to explore the surrounding region. When it is finally time to leave on a night bus to Tehran, I feel that I will be back here one day. Back for more.

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Yazd historic town (Iran)

Yazd historic town > Iran > Asia

[Visited: May 2022]

Around the World in 80 Clicks