Saednews: The city of Kashan has a history of 7,500 years and has today become one of the most popular tourist destinations in Iran, housing some of the country's most important tourist attractions.
According to the tourism service of Saednews, the city of Kashan has a history of 7,500 years and has today become one of the most popular tourist destinations in Iran, housing some of the country's most important tourist attractions. Kashan is famous for its fragrant flowers and historical houses, a city with historical and ancient attractions, natural wonders, and traditional ceremonies that are well-known to all. The city of Kashan boasts a variety of old houses, each carrying a rich history.
It can confidently be said that after the cities of Isfahan, Shiraz, and Yazd, Kashan has become one of the most important global tourist destinations, attracting both domestic and international tourists. The number of people buying flight tickets to Isfahan and traveling to this city is increasing day by day. Kashan is an ancient city and one of the oldest human settlements in history, and even after many years, it has preserved its historical fabric. So, during your visit to this unique city, be prepared to experience its diversity and charm. In the following, we will write about Kashan Attractions for you.
The Fin Garden and Bath: The Most Famous Among the Tourist Attractions of Kashan.
One of the most beautiful historical gardens in Iran is the Fin Garden in Kashan, which consists of several sections. This garden has a main courtyard and four circular towers. The garden features springs that supply water for its fountains and other needs. The flowing water and stunning structures in the garden captivate visitors. This unique garden was built in 1590 during the Safavid dynasty and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Located on Amir Kabir Street in Kashan, it boasts not only unparalleled nature but also distinctive architecture. The entire path of the garden is lined with tall trees, creating a lush environment that is particularly beautiful amidst the desert.
The Fin Bath in Kashan became famous due to the assassination of Mirza Taghi Khan Amir Kabir. The bath is situated among 579 cypress trees and 11 plane trees, some of which are between 100 and 400 years old. Many parts were added to the complex after the Safavid period. The Fin Bath has two baths, a large one for the king and a smaller one for the servants. Interestingly, the smaller bath, which is 500 years old, is older than the royal bath.
Kashan National Museum
The National Museum of Kashan was built in 1205 AH by Ali Mohammad Khan Sadr Esfahani, the son-in-law of Fath Ali Shah, on the western side of the Fin Garden. Over time, the building fell into ruin, but in 1337 AH, a new structure was built over it with a porch and seventeen columns. It opened in 1346 AH and is now one of the oldest museums in the country, housing about 400 pieces of artifacts. The museum's collection spans from the 7th millennium BC to the present day. The museum has two floors, with the archaeological section located on the ground floor and contemporary exhibits on the lower floor. The architecture of the museum is entirely Iranian, featuring a dome-shaped roof with four skylights under the dome. The inscription on the museum's plaques mentions the foundation date of the museum as "the year one thousand three hundred and forty-six," marking the official record of the Kashan National Museum.
Kashan Jameh Mosque
One of the oldest and most historic landmarks in Kashan is its Jameh Mosque, which dates back to the Seljuk era. Originally built as a fire temple, it was converted into a mosque with the arrival of Islam in Iran. The conversion was ordered by Safiya Khatun, the daughter of Malik Ashtar. This historical building has been renovated and restored throughout various periods in history. The mosque is located on Baba Afzal Street and features two mihrabs with two qiblas due to the lack of precise instruments for determining the qibla direction. The first mihrab was built in the wrong direction, but over time it was destroyed and another was constructed in its place. However, traces of the original plasterwork remain. The mosque also includes three prayer halls, a kiln for pottery, and a high veranda.
Traditional Bazaar of Kashan
Like many other cities, Kashan has a beautiful traditional bazaar. This market is home to numerous historical buildings and stretches from Baba Afzal Street to the vicinity of the Dowlat Gate. Some of the buildings in the historic bazaar of Kashan include the Mir-Panj Caravanserai, Mir-Amad Square Mosque, Sabaq Timcheh, the famous Amin al-Dawlah Timcheh, the Hosseiniyah of Sorakh Rismān, and several other structures. In this market, you will find various trades such as copperworking, shoemaking, dyeing, goldsmithing, textile, and tailoring.
Niasar, Kashan
Niasar is one of the surrounding villages of Kashan and attracts tourists due to its historical, cultural, and traditional architecture. The special clothing of the people, especially the women of Niasar, the local dialect, which is a remnant from the pre-Islamic era, and the architectural style from past centuries are the main attractions of Niasar as one of the notable places to visit in Kashan.
Boroujerdi House
Kashan is known for its beautiful and historic mansions, and one of the most famous ones is the Boroujerdi House. This house dates back to the Qajar period and is considered one of the oldest and most famous houses in Kashan. The owner of the house was a wealthy merchant from Kashan, and it features unique construction with crescent-shaped wind catchers on the roof and a pavilion built in a very specific manner. The architecture includes two courtyards, an entrance hall, a corridor, a kitchen, and both summer and winter sections. The wind catchers on the roof are designed to bring cool air to the basement in summer. Additionally, oil paintings and watercolors on the walls of the house enhance its beauty. The construction of this house took 18 years, and every part of the building was designed with the region's climate and geography in mind, utilizing both Iranian and foreign architects. The Boroujerdi House was built during the Qajar era by Master Ali Maryam Kashani (who also constructed the Tabatabaei House) and belonged to a wealthy merchant from Natanz. According to local stories, he built the house as a condition of marrying the daughter of Seyyed Jafar Tabatabaei, the owner of the Tabatabaei House. Today, the Boroujerdi House is home to the Cultural Heritage Organization of Kashan. The house is located on Alavi Street in the historic Sultan Amir Ahmad neighborhood.
Tabatabai House
Another famous house in Kashan belongs to a man named Seyyed Jafar Tabatabai, one of the carpet merchants of Kashan. This house was built during the reign of Nasser al-Din Shah Qajar and took 18 years to complete. The Tabatabai House features forty rooms, four courtyards, three wind catchers, two qanats, four basements, and a royal chamber with intricate stained glass windows, stucco work, and mirror decorations that captivate every visitor.
This beautiful house is also located on Alavi Street, and every corner of it represents a symbol of Kashan. The entire structure, including the entrance hall, porch, and private courtyards, is filled with extraordinary charm. The ceiling of the royal chamber is particularly high, adorned with stunning mirror work, stucco, and intricate lattice windows that make it enchanting.
Ameri House
The Ameri House dates back to the Zandiyeh period and was completed during the Qajar era. It was built under the orders of a man named Sahaam al-Saltanah Ameri in the Sultan Amir Ahmad neighborhood for personal use. The house has 85 rooms and features captivating architecture with decorative work, including cornices, wood carvings, and beautiful stucco designs. One of the main architectural features of this house is the symmetry of the interior and its courtyard, which draws the attention of every viewer. When visiting Kashan, be sure to add this historical house to your list of must-see places.
Underground City of Nooshabad (Owi)
The Underground City of Nooshabad, also known as Owi, dates back to the pre-Islamic period. The city consists of three floors, with corridors, rooms, and channels that interconnect. The levels are connected by vertical shafts. Nooshabad was built by humans and had various military and defensive uses throughout history. With an area of approximately four kilometers and a height ranging from 4 to 16 meters, it resembles a very long tunnel. This city is recognized as the largest underground city in the world.
Sialk Hill
The ancient Sialk Hill, located in Fin, Kashan, is a historical site dating back to ancient times. It is often considered the name of the first civilization in central Iran. The age of Sialk Hill is estimated to be about 8,000 years old. Compared to other contemporary civilizations, Sialk civilization was quite advanced. Today, Sialk Hill is recognized as an important archaeological tourist attraction. Visiting this site is like traveling back in time to witness the first signs of civilization in the region. The Sialk Hills consist of two separate mounds near each other, each containing an ancient cemetery, with burial sites dating back 3,500 years and 3,000 years.
To reach this ancient site, you need to take the road from Fin towards the village of Dizcheh. Buildings made of mudbrick and pottery, which were uncovered around eighty years ago after a flood, are now recognized as valuable historical relics.
Abbasi House
Another historical house in Kashan, located in the Sultan Amir Ahmad neighborhood, is the Abbasi House. With its unique charm in traditional architecture, it attracts attention as one of the most notable places to visit in Kashan. The Abbasi House dates back to the Qajar era. It features exquisite stucco work, symmetry, and design, making it one of the most beautiful landmarks in the city. The Abbasi House is known for having the tallest windcatchers among the homes in Kashan, adding to its fame.
Agha Bozorg Mosque
Agha Bozorg Mosque, one of the most magnificent Islamic buildings in Kashan, was constructed in 1258 AH. With its massive brick dome and beautifully tiled minaret, the mosque exemplifies traditional Iranian architecture and is considered one of the most beautiful Islamic structures in the country. The mosque features intricate tilework, stucco, muqarnas (stalactite decoration), and beautiful paintings. It is noteworthy that this mosque was registered as a National Heritage Site in 1330 SH. One interesting fact about the mosque is the use of 6,666 nails, symbolizing the number of verses in the Quran, at the entrance. These nails contribute to the structural strength of the building.
Taj al-Din Shrine
The Taj al-Din Shrine is a historical mausoleum located near the Agha Bozorg Mosque. It includes a complex of a school, a Sufi lodge (khanaqah), a water reservoir, a mosque, and the shrine itself. Today, only two symmetrical domes of the shrine and the khanaqah remain from the original complex. Taj al-Din Shirvani, a prominent figure of the 9th century who lived during the Aq Qoyunlu era, was known for constructing several important buildings in Kashan, including this shrine.
Sohrab Sepehri's Tomb
Sohrab Sepehri, a renowned poet, painter, and writer, is widely celebrated in Iran. He was born in Kashan and passed away there. He is buried in the village of Mashhad Ardehal, Kashan, in the courtyard of the Imamzadeh Sultan Ali ibn Muhammad Baqir. His tombstone was originally blue but has been replaced several times over the years and is now black.
Maranjab Caravanserai
If you're looking for a unique desert experience in central Iran, we recommend visiting the Maranjab Desert in Kashan. In the heart of this desert lies the Maranjab Caravanserai, dating back to the Safavid era and considered one of the cultural attractions of Kashan. This caravanserai was built on the orders of Shah Abbas and is designed like a fort or citadel, serving as a place of defense in the past. The materials used in its construction are brick and gypsum. Due to its location along the ancient Silk Road, the caravanserai has always been a popular spot for travelers throughout history. Interestingly, the caravanserai still welcomes visitors, and its traditional restaurant serves guests.
Kashan Rosewater Festival
The Rosewater Festival in Qamsar and other villages of Kashan, held annually in May, is one of the city's main tourist attractions. The process of picking roses, preparing them for distillation, and extracting rosewater draws many tourists to Qamsar each year.
Sultan Amir Ahmad Bathhouse
The Sultan Amir Ahmad Bathhouse, also known as the Qasemi Bathhouse, is a traditional Iranian bathhouse built during the Safavid era. Today, it serves as both a museum and a traditional restaurant, welcoming visitors. The bathhouse is named after Imamzadeh Amir Ahmad, whose tomb is located near the bathhouse.
What Essentials Should You Bring for a Trip to Kashan?
In addition to appropriate clothing and essential documents such as your ID card, national ID, driving license, insurance booklet, and bank cards, it is also recommended to bring sunscreen, a sun hat, and sunglasses. If you plan to travel to Kashan by personal car and explore the stunning desert landscapes of the city, make sure to equip your vehicle with essentials like a spare tire and a tool kit. Additionally, wearing hiking shoes and bringing useful items like a sleeping bag, power bank, and camera is highly recommended for all tourists who care about the quality of their experience in Kashan.