Iran has many wonders. These wonders are not limited to forests, mountains, and plains. The deserts and desert cities are also among the attractions of beautiful Iran.
The sight of windcatchers, water reservoirs, and mud-brick houses in the desert city of Anarak is one of the desert’s attractions that captivates every viewer at first glance. Stay with Saad News for more.
The first interesting point about the city of Anarak is that everyone agrees on its ancient origins, but there are many stories about this city that make it difficult for anyone to pinpoint its exact and true historical timeline. Numerous ancient relics have been found in the city and its surroundings, indicating that Anarak dates back to the Sassanid era or even earlier. However, archaeologists are not completely sure whether these ancient relics belong to the inhabitants of a city or if they ended up in Anarak in some other way.
Some other narratives claim that the first bricks used to build the city's structures were laid by a man named Mohammad Pahlavan during the reign of Shah Abbas of the Safavid dynasty. According to this story, Mohammad Pahlavan built the first houses of the city with his own hands, and gradually, life began to flow in the region. However, there are still people who consider these narratives as just tales and believe that Anarak's history dates back only to the Qajar period. According to these individuals, during the Qajar era, the city was a place for merchants to pass through, and gradually, life began to form in the area with the construction of resting places and trade centers. Despite this, most archaeologists and historians still believe that Anarak’s history stretches back to a time before the Qajar period.
This desert city is one of the tourist destinations in Isfahan province and is located in the northeastern part of the province, in the Nain county. The distance from Anarak to Nain is 77.3 kilometers, and the distance from Isfahan to Anarak is 223 kilometers.
Anarak, the small city of pomegranates, lies on the edge of the central desert of Iran and stretches to the northeast to Chupanan and to the northwest to Zowareh. The cities of Ardestan and Nain are located to its west and south. Ardakan, Khur, and Biabanak are also neighboring this desert gem. This picturesque city spans 724 hectares and is situated 147 meters above sea level.
If you are heading to the land of hardworking people from Tehran, you first need to reach the city of Kashan (if you have time, it’s worth visiting some attractions in Kashan). To do so, drive on the Tehran-Qom and Amir Kabir highways. Once you reach Kashan, follow the road signs to Nain. When you get to Nain, you need to change your direction towards Anarak. The distance from Tehran to this beautiful desert city is 533 kilometers, and it takes approximately 5 hours and 55 minutes to cover this distance.
Although Anarak is not a large city, it boasts many tourist attractions, most of which are historical landmarks. If you plan to visit Anarak for a few days, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with these attractions and create a detailed itinerary so you can explore as many as possible. Below are some of the most significant sights in Anarak:
City Wall
Three Fortresses
Windcatchers of the City
Old Caravanserai
Old Bathhouse of Anarak
Atashgah (Fire Temple) of Nakhlek
The Jinn Desert (Kavir-e Jinn)
Located near the city of Anarak, this desert has earned the nickname "the Bermuda Triangle of Iran." The desert is known for its dangerous quicksand and marshes, making the journey difficult for travelers. It is advised that ordinary people and those without experience in desert tourism avoid this area. As the name suggests, the Jinn Desert is mysterious and has many legends associated with it.
In the past, the people of this desert city engaged in farming and carpet weaving, but due to economic difficulties and recurring droughts, these activities have diminished. Currently, the residents of this small desert town are involved in livestock farming and mining. Therefore, if you’re looking for souvenirs, you should consider animal products.
Another souvenir from Anarak is the delicious bread made by the locals. This fragrant and tasty sweet bread is called "Nan Kamaj." Local women and hardworking people of this desert city bake this bread over hot coals. The taste of Nan Kamaj is so incredible that you must try it during your visit to Anarak.
The architectural similarity between Anarak and Nain is not the only thing shared by these two cities. The people of Anarak speak a dialect similar to that of Nain. The main difference between the dialects of these two cities lies in the pronunciation of some sounds. Nevertheless, you can still distinguish the speech of Anarak residents from that of Nain.
In the past, there were many pomegranate orchards in this city, and farming was the main occupation of most people. However, due to climatic changes and other damages to the city's windcatchers, many of these orchards have dried up, and people have resorted to working in the nearby mines. Anarak is rich in minerals, and some of the most famous mines in this city include:
Talmasi Copper Mine
Nakhlek Lead and Zinc Mine
Chah Kharbozeh Lead and Zinc Mine
Khalo Haidar Iron Mine
Bethe Alam Iron Mine
Manganese Mines
Bagherq Copper Mine
Thus, it can be said that most of the men in Anarak are working in the mines, while women are engaged in various activities such as farming in the remaining orchards, sewing, cooking, and baking bread. Additionally, there are other professions in the city, but the traditional and local occupations dominate.
Generally, the climate of desert cities is hot and dry, so a summer trip to Anarak is not recommended. Although windcatchers help cool the air, they cannot overcome the harsh desert conditions. You may think that winter would be the best time to visit this desert city, but this is not the case. During winter nights, the city becomes extremely cold, and the weather is unpredictable.
So, when is the best time to visit Anarak? The answer is simple: autumn. From early to mid-autumn, the city experiences the best weather.
If you plan to stay in Anarak, you can opt for eco-lodges and local accommodations. Naturally, there are no 5-star luxury hotels in this city. However, many eco-lodges with a traditional desert atmosphere can provide a better experience than any 5-star hotel and create lasting memories. Some locals also offer their homes for rent, allowing travelers, especially those with families or large groups, to experience staying in local homes.
In this article, Saad News introduced the ancient desert city of Anarak. We appreciate your attention and hope you enjoyed learning about this unique city.
