Yazd Highlights Walking Tour

Yazd is the city of elite and genius. You will learn it by many proofs when starting to take part in this experiential walking tour. This slow-mode city made the residences get more patient and creative to cope with the dry and harsh nature of the desert. Typically there are two seasons in Yazd; hot summers and cold winters. So far Yazd can surprise you with the water irrigation system of Qanat and the panoramic landscape of earthy structure to tame your eyes.

The first point of our tour is visiting the Jewish quarter in the old city which is to tell you the story of the people who were born here but happened to be the leading characters in other parts of the world late on. Having visited the local synagogue of Mola- Agha- Baba and meeting with some Jewish residences we hit through the narrow alleyways of Fahadan district and enjoy the magnificent atmosphere of earth-coloured houses and windcatchers reach for touching the blue sky. It is the most symbolic structure of the city now boasting in front of our eyes, with a pair of tall minarets embellished with deep blue tiles images the gate to the light. Let's pass through the Jame mosque's entrance portal which is one of the tallest in Iran to treat our eyes with the beauty behind it and see the Jame mosque and what it has to offer bellow the dome, ceiling and well-cherished mihrab to make you lost for words.

To go further into the architectural wonders of Yazd, we are to visit Ziaiyeh School or as actual Iranians call it Alexander's prison. This national-listed heritage dates back to the Mongolian era has witnessed over 10 centuries of the Yazd city however, some quote the structure attributes to Alexander the Great's attack on Iran.

In one of the best locations of the old city just over the rooftop of a historic house catch the uninterrupted view being divided into the clear blue sky and the garden of the earthly horizontal city.  After capturing some postal-card scenes over the top roof and letting the wind caress your hair we will leave to the last landmark of our trip.

Impressed by the magnificent Amirchakhmaq which is a 15th-century monument located in a square with the same name. The complex has an imposing role when Muharram month comes. The commemoration of Ashura is being held around the Amirchakhmaq complex. You will learn about the position of Nakhl (wooden palm structure) in the ceremonial events in Yazd where all the population gather here to carry this symbol of Imam Hosein coffin on their shoulders to pay homage to the oppressed leader of Shia Muslims. This Nakhl is kept at the right corner of the square all year long.

The 3 storey brick structure of Amir Chakhmaq includes a mosque, caravanserai, a bathhouse and two high minarets topping several regular alcove arches designed with tile work and people from high social status used to see Ashura ceremonies being held Amir Chakhmaq square from the lodges of it.

Let's visit the water museum of Yazd and figure out the process of making qanat, an architectural invention to lead water from heights to the drylands of the central Iranian plateau.

Brief Itinerary

The tour will be started from your accommodation in Yazd city at 8 a.m. We will start our walking from the Jewish part of the old town and the "Mola-Agha-Baba" synagogue. Then, we are going to walk and discover the Jame mosque and walk in "Fahadan" district. Then it's time to visit " Ziaiyeh school" as an architectural highlight and finish our walking on the rooftop of a house where we want to recommend as the most beautiful historical house where you will see a unique view of the old town. In Amir-chakhmaq square we will learn about Ashura commemoration events, visit the structures in the complex and visit the water museum to learn about the technique of ancient Yazdi engineers evoking freshwater from mountains and leading it to the cities with qanats.