Kerman also spelled Kirman, is the capital of a province with the same name which is the largest province of Iran and is located in the southeast of Iran. The city of Kerman is 1760 meters above sea level and the size of the city is 240 square kilometers, making it one of the largest cities in Iran with 738,724 residents according to the 2016 census. With many historical and cultural heritages, Kerman is the fifth historical city of Iran, and after Yazd, Kerman is home to the biggest population of Zoroastrian minorities in Iran, who migrated to this region after the Arabs invaded Iran.
The remains of Ghale Dokhtar and Ardeshir's Palace located in the city, prove that the antiquity of Kerman dates back to the kingdom of Ardeshir I, the Sassanid king (reigned 224–241 CE), who is believed to be the official founder of Kerman also called Behdesīr, Berdesīr, or Berdeshīr. Kerman was also one of the main Satraps (subject nations) during the Achaemenid Era. The name of this city is also mentioned in legendary myths and Shahnameh (the Persian epic poem book written by Ferdowsi) as one of the oldest cities of Iran.
During the Islamic era, Kerman was invaded by different Arab nations like the Abbasids, Saffarids, the Buyids, etc. several times. It was during the Seljuk Dynasty that Kerman experienced peace for 150 years but it got ruined again by the Mongols. During the Safavid Dynasty (16th and 17th centuries), Kerman was at peace, however, it got ruined again by Mahmud Afghan and his army. This city experience two genocides. The first one was by Nader Shah, the king of the Afshar Dynasty who suffered from murder madness, and the second one was done by Aqa Muhammad Khan the Qajar king who killed a lot of the people of Kerman because they supported and sheltered his enemy, Lutfali Khan the king of Zand Dynasty. The city was later rebuilt under the rule of Fath Ali Shah, the second king of the Qajar Dynasty (ruled 1797–1834).
Kerman is located on the margin of the Lut Desert from the north and meets the Joopar mountains on the other side. This city is 1755 meters above sea level, and has a desert climate with hot summers and cold winters, especially during the night. Kerman receives very little rainfall throughout the year, however, some parts of the vast province like Sirch town receive more rain and snowfall.
Most of the fabulous sites are located around the city of Kerman:
This well-preserved 14-century monument with four lofty ivans of shimmering blue tiles and no minarets, is an extensively modernized religious construction during the Safavid period and later.
Shazdeh Garden is an attractive and lush garden located in the heart of barrens and is fed by a Qanat which transfers water to the garden. This 5.5-hectare garden was built during the Qajar Dynasty and consists of water cascades, a monumental entrance gate, and a glorious residential mansion. Shazdeh Garden is one of the nine Persian gardens inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Located in Mahan Town (35 Kms from Kerman) this pilgrimage complex including four courtyards, a reflecting pool, and a mosque with an enchanting turquoise dome. This shrine was built for the Shah Nematollah the legendary Persian mystic and poet and is known to be the most amazing Islamic construction outside Isfahan, as it exhibits some of the most amazing ornaments like girih tilework, plasterwork, and ancient wooden doors.
Located in a desert area in the southeast of Kerman Province, the antiquity of Bam goes back to Achaemenid Era and has always been an important spot as it was located on important trade routes, like the Silk Road. Arg-e Bam (Bam Citadel) is one of the best examples of fortified medieval towns showing the development of civilization and settlement throughout history. Arge Bam and its cultural landscape is registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Rayen Castle or Arg-e Rayen is located in Rayen town which is 106 kilometers away from Kerman and is the second-largest adobe construction in the world after Bam Citadel. This city was built during the Sassanid Era and was inhabited until the 19th century. This amazing historical city includes thick imposing outer walls, mosques, the governor's quarter, barracks, small residential houses, and a public quarter.
Lut is a vast salt Desert in the southeast of Iran and is the first natural site inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage in Iran. This desert presents ongoing geological processes and the most scenic landscapes including yardang landforms, sand duns, nebcas, etc. Shahdad city located at the edge of the Lut Desert is 95 kilometers from Kerman and is the best place for visiting the beauties of Lut Desert and enjoying its surreal atmosphere.
Kerman was the center of creating very delicate shawls and textiles since centuries ago, and later carpet workshops creating very fine carpets with unique designs were opened in this city. With a very rich color scheme and variety of motifs, Kerman carpet is still among the top Persian carpets.
Pateh is a kind of traditional needlework produced in Kerman. Pateh Doozi (sewing Pateh) is usually done by the local women in Kerman and includes creating eye-catching paisley and floral patterns with colorful threads on white, red, orange, and blue woolen and silk textiles.
Kerman province has the largest copper mines in Iran and lots of different copper utensils are sold in the bazaar of Kerman.