Yazd Province Owns Most Glorious Cultural Heritage in Iran - (The Circle of Ancient Iranian Studies

Yazd area has been inhabited much earlier than the third millennium BC, so that during the rule of Pishdadian, tribal migrants leaving Balkh for Pars named it "Yazadan".

The word "Yazd" means clean and sacred and "Yazdgerd" means divine. The city of Yazd signifies `The God's City and Holy Land'.

Some historians attribute the early structure of the city to Alexander the Macedonian warlord and have said that it has been named after a prison he himself had constructed.

Other historians believed that a city dubbed "Yazdangerd" was built in Sassanid era upon the order of Yazdgerd I at the present site of the provincial capital and that the the name of Yazd which has been derived from it means sacred, auspicious and laudable.

Most of the historical relics of the province date back to the post-Islam period, while the remains of figures engraved at Arnan heights to the south of Yazd are among the rare pre-Islamic historical sites.

Aqueducts are among the most significant and lasting provincial relics excavated into the depth of land considered as the most basic elements of developing areas taking shape at Iran's central desert surviving through centuries.

Similar to aqueducts, a remarkable part of the architectural and urban structures of the city are placed at the same depth.

Two types of roofed bazaars built in accordance with traditional architecture have been identified in Yazd.

Ancient mosques are among the most charming heritage of the area's past culture and architecture.

Yazd Grand Mosque is known as the most archaic heritage of the provincial capital of Yazd.

Wind traps are one of the most distinct features of the city of Yazd accounting for its clear distinction from other cities. Given their application as the modern-day air conditions, they were part of the residential buildings.

The 4000-year-old cypress tree in Abarkouh, Narin-Qaleh castle in Meibod, Zardak Mosque in Ardakan are among the historical resort areas of the province.

The world's highest wind trap measuring 33 meters high is situated at Dowlatabad Garden in Yazd.

Zoroastrians are one of the minorities who have been residing in the province since ancient time.

Yazd Fire Temple dating back to 1,500 years ago has been reconstructed during the rule of Pahlavi dynasty.

The vast desert area, starry nights, natural landscapes and 6,000 historical and cultural monuments of Yazd are referred to by some experts as a great divine gift, which could annually attract 7-10 million tourists.

However, according to optimistic statistics, 4-5 million tourists are predicted to visit the province per year.

With an area measuring 76,156 square kms, Yazd province is situated in central Iran and is surrounded by the provinces of Isfahan, Khorasan and Kerman. It is one of the driest and largest desert areas in the world.