City of Forts and Fables 

The people of Kerman were among the pioneers in the discovery of metal. Tal‐e‐Eblis near Kerman is one of the oldest copper smelting centers in the world. The inhabitants of modern day Kerman province, alongside other late Chalcolithic era people in Iran and Mesopotamia, led the way to complex societies and laid the first foundations of civilization. The scientists trace this development to historic mounds at Yahya and Shahdad. Yahya and Shahdad Mounds are where the archaeologists dicovered the world’s first trade flag. The flag, dating back to 4th  millennium BC, served as the insignia of merchants on Lapis Lazuli route who transported precious and semi‐precious stones from east of Iran to Elamite, Sumerian and Egyptian cities.

 

Landscapes

 

Kerman also has breathtaking landscapes which beckon travelers to return. Located near the magnificent Lut Desert, Kerman stands at 1,755 meters elevation with vast turquoise skies and surrounded by mountains. The history of this city is interwoven with legends of the Silk Road. This city was originally a stronghold. Ghale‐Dokhtar and Ardeshir forts on its foothills are testament to that time and recount the tales about transfer of power between Parthian and Sassanian dynasties.

 

As the story of Ghale‐Dokhtar goes, the people used to call Kerman, “Govashir” at the time of Parthians before the 3rd century, until one day the daughter of Haftvad, the ruler of the city, found a worm in an apple. She took the creature as an omen of good fortune. Having realized the value of the worm, Haftvad provided a special place to keep it safe. In return, the worm made him a fortune. When Ardeshir, the assanian king, heard about Haftvad’s wealth, he deceitfully poisoned the worm. By doing so put an end to the reign of Haftvad and his seven sons. Ferdowsi, the celebrated 10th century Iranian poet, relates the name of Kerman to this worm (kerm in Persian language) which probably has roots in Chinese fairytales of silk production in China.

 

Etymology of Kerman

 

Other scholars relate the name of Kerman to “Karam”; The Persian word for generosity, and Kerman as the city of generous people. The name of Kerman has been associated with several other ancient terms as well; for instance, the Elamite Port of Magan or Makkan, which also represents Makran region; scientists believe to be related to Kerman region. However, the term “Kermania” in Herodotus history and in Achaemenid tablets, is the most evident reference to Kerman’s name.

 

Kerman in Post-Islamic Era

 

Post‐Islamic tales also tell us about the history of this city. An interesting example of these stories, is one about the Turkan Khatun, the Gharakhatinan Queen in the 11th century, which narrates how she danced with her drunken stepson and consequently went through a course of events that changed the history of Kerman. As a literary and science enthusiast, she made numerous contributions to the city. As instances, Ghobé Sabz (Turkan Khatun Madrassa) and an exquisite copy of Quran, which is one of the National Cultural Heritages of Iran.

 

In addition, there are a large number of monuments from the Islamic era in Kerman, each offering unique features to visitors. For instance, Jabalieh Dome from Seljuq era, Ganj‐Ali‐Khan Complex from Safavids’ reign and Vakil Complex from Qajar epoch. The most recent one is Morsalin Hospital. Morsalin Hospital was founded by Christian missionaries in late Qajar era, which represent the modern times in Iran. To sum up, with 7 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Kerman is a city which immerses visitors in culture and history.

Kerman

The people of Kerman were among the pioneers in the discovery of metal. Tal‐e‐Eblis near Kerman is one of the oldest copper smelting centers in the world. The inhabitants of modern day Kerman province, alongside other late Chalcolithic era people in Iran and Mesopotamia, led the way to complex societies and laid the first foundations of civilization. The scientists trace this development to historic mounds at Yahya and Shahdad. Yahya and Shahdad Mounds are where the archaeologists dicovered the world’s first trade flag. The flag, dating back to 4th  millennium BC, served as the insignia of merchants on Lapis Lazuli route who transported precious and semi‐precious stones from east of Iran to Elamite, Sumerian and Egyptian cities.

 

Landscapes

 

Kerman also has breathtaking landscapes which beckon travelers to return. Located near the magnificent Lut Desert, Kerman stands at 1,755 meters elevation with vast turquoise skies and surrounded by mountains. The history of this city is interwoven with legends of the Silk Road. This city was originally a stronghold. Ghale‐Dokhtar and Ardeshir forts on its foothills are testament to that time and recount the tales about transfer of power between Parthian and Sassanian dynasties.

 

As the story of Ghale‐Dokhtar goes, the people used to call Kerman, “Govashir” at the time of Parthians before the 3rd century, until one day the daughter of Haftvad, the ruler of the city, found a worm in an apple. She took the creature as an omen of good fortune. Having realized the value of the worm, Haftvad provided a special place to keep it safe. In return, the worm made him a fortune. When Ardeshir, the assanian king, heard about Haftvad’s wealth, he deceitfully poisoned the worm. By doing so put an end to the reign of Haftvad and his seven sons. Ferdowsi, the celebrated 10th century Iranian poet, relates the name of Kerman to this worm (kerm in Persian language) which probably has roots in Chinese fairytales of silk production in China.

 

Etymology of Kerman

 

Other scholars relate the name of Kerman to “Karam”; The Persian word for generosity, and Kerman as the city of generous people. The name of Kerman has been associated with several other ancient terms as well; for instance, the Elamite Port of Magan or Makkan, which also represents Makran region; scientists believe to be related to Kerman region. However, the term “Kermania” in Herodotus history and in Achaemenid tablets, is the most evident reference to Kerman’s name.

 

Kerman in Post-Islamic Era

 

Post‐Islamic tales also tell us about the history of this city. An interesting example of these stories, is one about the Turkan Khatun, the Gharakhatinan Queen in the 11th century, which narrates how she danced with her drunken stepson and consequently went through a course of events that changed the history of Kerman. As a literary and science enthusiast, she made numerous contributions to the city. As instances, Ghobé Sabz (Turkan Khatun Madrassa) and an exquisite copy of Quran, which is one of the National Cultural Heritages of Iran.

 

In addition, there are a large number of monuments from the Islamic era in Kerman, each offering unique features to visitors. For instance, Jabalieh Dome from Seljuq era, Ganj‐Ali‐Khan Complex from Safavids’ reign and Vakil Complex from Qajar epoch. The most recent one is Morsalin Hospital. Morsalin Hospital was founded by Christian missionaries in late Qajar era, which represent the modern times in Iran. To sum up, with 7 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Kerman is a city which immerses visitors in culture and history.

Kerman

The people of Kerman were among the pioneers in the discovery of metal. Tal‐e‐Eblis near Kerman is one of the oldest copper smelting centers in the world. The inhabitants of modern day Kerman province, alongside other late Chalcolithic era people in Iran and Mesopotamia, led the way to complex societies and laid the first foundations of civilization. The scientists trace this development to historic mounds at Yahya and Shahdad. Yahya and Shahdad Mounds are where the archaeologists dicovered the world’s first trade flag. The flag, dating back to 4th  millennium BC, served as the insignia of merchants on Lapis Lazuli route who transported precious and semi‐precious stones from east of Iran to Elamite, Sumerian and Egyptian cities.

 

Landscapes

 

Kerman also has breathtaking landscapes which beckon travelers to return. Located near the magnificent Lut Desert, Kerman stands at 1,755 meters elevation with vast turquoise skies and surrounded by mountains. The history of this city is interwoven with legends of the Silk Road. This city was originally a stronghold. Ghale‐Dokhtar and Ardeshir forts on its foothills are testament to that time and recount the tales about transfer of power between Parthian and Sassanian dynasties.

 

As the story of Ghale‐Dokhtar goes, the people used to call Kerman, “Govashir” at the time of Parthians before the 3rd century, until one day the daughter of Haftvad, the ruler of the city, found a worm in an apple. She took the creature as an omen of good fortune. Having realized the value of the worm, Haftvad provided a special place to keep it safe. In return, the worm made him a fortune. When Ardeshir, the assanian king, heard about Haftvad’s wealth, he deceitfully poisoned the worm. By doing so put an end to the reign of Haftvad and his seven sons. Ferdowsi, the celebrated 10th century Iranian poet, relates the name of Kerman to this worm (kerm in Persian language) which probably has roots in Chinese fairytales of silk production in China.

 

Etymology of Kerman

 

Other scholars relate the name of Kerman to “Karam”; The Persian word for generosity, and Kerman as the city of generous people. The name of Kerman has been associated with several other ancient terms as well; for instance, the Elamite Port of Magan or Makkan, which also represents Makran region; scientists believe to be related to Kerman region. However, the term “Kermania” in Herodotus history and in Achaemenid tablets, is the most evident reference to Kerman’s name.

 

Kerman in Post-Islamic Era

 

Post‐Islamic tales also tell us about the history of this city. An interesting example of these stories, is one about the Turkan Khatun, the Gharakhatinan Queen in the 11th century, which narrates how she danced with her drunken stepson and consequently went through a course of events that changed the history of Kerman. As a literary and science enthusiast, she made numerous contributions to the city. As instances, Ghobé Sabz (Turkan Khatun Madrassa) and an exquisite copy of Quran, which is one of the National Cultural Heritages of Iran.

 

In addition, there are a large number of monuments from the Islamic era in Kerman, each offering unique features to visitors. For instance, Jabalieh Dome from Seljuq era, Ganj‐Ali‐Khan Complex from Safavids’ reign and Vakil Complex from Qajar epoch. The most recent one is Morsalin Hospital. Morsalin Hospital was founded by Christian missionaries in late Qajar era, which represent the modern times in Iran. To sum up, with 7 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Kerman is a city which immerses visitors in culture and history.

You can share this with :

Comments

Related Tours

        Design by Ali Moghadas / 2020