Yazd

Yazd, Monday, 04th Oktober 2010

Yazd is said to be inhabited since 7000 years. While this claim is hard to verify it is indeed one of the longest continually inhabitated cities in the world. As an important point on the silk road it profited from trade and has survived.

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Yazd is a desert city and adapting to the desert has produced a unique architecture.
The wind towers catch the slightest breeze and cool the air over pools of water before the air enters the house.

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The Qanats, underground water channels, supply the city with water. Many houses have an underground acces to the qanats to get water.

To isolate the adobe houses they are surounded by high walls that give the impression that the city is totally empty because life happens inside.
Yet it’s nice to walk through Yazd and feel the 7000 years of history.

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Note the Ché Guevarra Shirt

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A water reservoir with four wind towers.

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Money from the Shah’s time is exhibited in the coin museum

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And also from the Kaiser’s time.

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The inner courtyard.

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Stairway down to the qanat

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One of the many fountains in the city

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Every door has two handles to knock one for women one for men.
Thus the people inside knew who had to open the door.

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Today is a holiday. The anniversary of the third Imam Hossein.
With huge black flags the mourning crowd moves through the streets.

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The men castigate themselves to the rythm of the singing

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I found that quite impressive.

In the water museum I found the proof that there are giant crabs in Iran

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Of course this is just a model…

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