Zoroastrian’s Fire Temple

City of Yazd

Situated in a vast dry valley, 677km south of Tehran, Yazd has a dry and semi-dry climate with hot summers and cold winters. In the past, without modern facilities, it was only the clever architecture of the building that enabled the people to tolerate the hot summer. The ventilation structures (wind-catchers) were the most important means by which the interior became cool. These structures still can be seen in the older part of the city. For this reason, Yazd was (and still is) called the city of wind-catchers.

According to some historians Yazd was founded by Yazdegerd I (339-420 AD). The oldest neighbourhood of Yazd is called Fahadan. Being amidst the immense deserts, the Mongols did not capture this city, as a result of which many poets, artists and scholars immigrated to it. During this period numerous schools, mosques and mausoleums were built in Yazd.

At the present time, both traditional handicrafts and modem industries are active in this province. The UNESCO has recognized Yazd as a city having the second oldest architecture all over the world.

Yazd’s Native Culture

Yazd province is one of the oldest and most historic pieces of lands, located among the old and large states of Fars (Pars), Isfahan, Kerman and Khorasan. This land had been an important passage during numerous periods of history. The province had been spared from politically instigated conflicts and wars during Iran’s history. Moreover, arduous roads, shortage of water sources and etc, have been the main hindrances of conquering the area by the some of the big and small governments on borders of the area during the history.

Historical sources certify that rural-sitting has a long background in this area. Manifestations of material and spiritual culture among the native people, and also signs of Mehr (the Sun), Anahita (the goddess of water and fertility), Isatis and the Achaemenid, Alexander prison, huge ancient fortresses and fortifications, numerous shelters, Zoroastrian fire-temples, monuments and memorials of Islamic era such as mosques, Imamzadeh mausoleums, sepulchres and etc, have all been the indicator of culture and civilization of the people in both pre-Islamic and Islamic periods.

Some of the ancient Iranian myths originate from this province. This fact is reflected in the customs add traditions of the people. Most of festivals belong to Zoroastrians, the most interesting of which are seasonal and monthly festivals, such as Nou Rooz and Seheh.

 Muslims also have their own ceremonies, e.g. wedding ceremonies and ta’ziye. Now-Rooz, the Iranian New Year, being the most important festive occasion, is celebrated by Zoroastrians as well as Muslims.

Yazd is the center of present day Zoroastrian religion. There are about 150.000 Zoroastrians in the world, of which 65.000 live in Iran and 20.000 in Yazd. The Atashkadeh is the most important fire temple. Zoroastrians from all over the world come here to see the sacred fire that has been burning without interruption for 1500 years.