Kerman city is located 1,755 meters above sea-level on the outskirt of Lut Desert.
One of the most important reasons for the establishment of Kerman city is its location on a crossroad. Since long, the city has been one of the important locations connecting West to East and North to South in Iran, UNESCO reported.
This feature has had a remarkable influence on the development of the city’s trade zones. In fact, the commercial axis and city plan have been designed based on the main trade zones.
The north-south line begins from Bazaar Kohneh (Old Bazaar) to Bazaar Aziz i.e. starting from Rigabad Gate to the surroundings of Gabri Gate and the east-west line of Kerman Bazaar that begins from Mosque Gate and ends at Arg Square.
Such a plan proves its important role and makes the architectural plan of the trade axis as an intersection that led to the formation of one of the most beautiful Iranian bazaars.
Additionally, it eases accessibility between the bazaar and the old quarters of the city.
The unique complex of Kerman Bazaar indicates the creativity of its residents for several reasons such as being the axis of the city structure, comprising of four complexes and centrality in different periods.
In addition to the valuable features of bazaar and its complexes, especially Ganj-Ali Khan, the bazaar is a symbol of high human values in Safavid Dynasty that contains all the features of Naqsh-e-Jahan Complex on a smaller scale. It consists of a bath, mosque and caravanserai with the most sophisticated and beautiful architectural and art techniques of its own time.
Ganj-Ali Khan Ensemble is unique, as opposed to the Safavid tradition that built their ensembles out of the old city.
They purchased and destroyed many old buildings in order to construct this complex as it has been located at the intersection of two main lines of Bazaar.
Ibrahim Khan Ensemble in Qajar Dynasty has been built on the same architectural model of Safavid Era.
The ensembles of Kerman are prominent examples of technical architecture that are not only recognized as the best city landmarks, but also show the maximum utilization of security provided in a short period of time.
Kerman Bazaar is the liveliest location in the city which is evident from the numerous proverbs about the bazaar and its commodities.
It has had a great influence culturally, economically and socially.
The paintings above the gate of baths of Ganj-Ali Khan Ensemble depict the daily activities in Safavid period.
There are many ancient fortresses throughout Iran. Although these fortresses have common features, they are considered unique.
Kerman’s fortresses are unique, such as Ardeshir and Dokhtar fortresses.
There exist similarities between Narin Fortress of Meibod and Naiten in Kerman.
With regard to its architectural features, Meibod Fortress dates back to the Median Era, which was reconstructed as a city during the Sassanid rule.
This sun-dried brick fortress housed people till the fall of the Mozaffarid Dynasty. Ordered by Amir Gourkani, some parts of the city were pulled down.
Constructing two monuments near each other was peculiar to Kerman. Though there was Dokhtar Fortress, a new one was built on a neighboring hill.
Dokhtar Fortress in Firouzabad of Fars is a masterpiece of Sassanid architecture. This fortified fortress was built by Ardeshir.
For constructing this fortress (like the one in Bishapour), stones and mortar were used as construction materials. The fortress was built on the slope of a mount. As these were deserted, they could sustain their primary architectural features during the time.
As these two fortresses have been rebuilt over a long period, there can be found valuable remains, such as Parthian sun-dried bricks. All these together made a precious collection of bricks and arches.
Kerman Bazaar is the only one of its kind that boasts of a square (Ganj-Ali Khan Square is not roofed) at the crossing of two straight roofed bazaars and a part of this bazaar exists around this square. People enter the bazaar from this square.
Kerman is the only city with a square within a market. The small mosque of Ganj-Ali Khan within Kerman Bazaar is like a museum of ornamental arts.
Ganj-Ali Khan Bath is also the most beautiful of its kind in Iran.
The design of Kerman Bazaar is a combination of organic and non-organic elements. Lar also has a cross-shaped bazaar, though only Kerman is wholly designed as such.
Thus, Ganj-Ali Khan Chahar Souk (a dome made of four angled domes), with a height of 20 meters, is one of the tallest among Iranian bazaars and has attractive decorations.
Iran Carpet Expo in Vienna
The Conference and Exhibition of Iranian Handmade Carpet will be held in the Austrian capital of Vienna during April 14-23.
Referring to the agreement signed between Iran’s National Carpet Center and UN’s Middle East Center, Mohammad Baqer Alikhani said that holding the conference will provide an opportunity for introducing Iranian rugs to various countries.
He said the carpet center will cooperate with the UN in the field of reviewing the paper sent to the conference, noting that a part of required financial resources will be provided by the center.
The official went on to say that Iran Nanotechnology Initiative Council and the National Carpet Center have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on “Applications of Nanotechnology Achievements in Iran’s Handmade Carpet Industry and Art”.
The carper center can use the result of studies conducted by the council to make the rugs fragrant.
The MoU is valid for five years and aims to improve the capacities of Iranian handmade carpet industry in line with the scientific and research progresses in the field of nanotechnology.
This is in line with the objectives of the strategic document of Iran’s National Carpet Center in the application of novel technologies for the development of handmade carpet industry and art.
Tehran to Host Tourism Fair
The 6th International Exhibition of Services and Equipment of Tourism Industry and Hotel Management will be held in Tehran’s Permanent International Fairground with the slogan of “Around the World Without Visa”.
A number of large hotel groups, tourism agencies, touring clubs, airlines, commercial tourism companies and banks will participate in the exhibition which will be held from Jan. 27-30.
Foreign tourism entities and organizations will also participate in the exhibition.
Preparing conditions for increasing the arrival of foreign tourists, removing the current problems, introducing the countries’ tourism potential and capabilities are among the objective of holding the expo.
The exhibition, to be held in an area of 12,000 square meters, will be organized by Tehran International Trading & Exhibition Corporation (TITEX) and Cultural Heritage and Tourism Investment group.
Sponsors include Tourism Bank, Aseman Airlines, Pars Hotel Groups, Iranian Tourism Club, Qasr International Hotel Group and a large number of those involved in the tourism industry and hotel management.
Hunting the Hunter
By Khajou Kermani
Reason is a bird
From our nest;
Galaxies are dust
From our doorstep.
The world-illuminating sun,
The sovereign of the east,
Is an ornamental image
On the ceiling of our hall of mirrors.
The blood you see
In the eye of the horizon at sunset
Is the sip
Of our nocturnal drink.
What we hunt
Is no one but the hunter;
Our trap is the same
As our bait.
Our arrow pierces
Through the armor of the firmament,
For our target is
The heart of the universe.
No charm can lure us
Away from the path
Since the two worlds
Are full of our fascinating tale.
Though with the people of the time
We are not happy,
Happy are those
who live in our time.
If there exists a paradise,
It lies in the dust of his doorstep,
Where we have
Our eternal abode.
Now our songs are sung
All over the world
With the music of our fame.
Rice With Green Peas
Rice, 3 cups
Onion, 1 small (thinly sliced)
Oil, 3 tablespoons
Turmeric, 1/2 teaspoon
Ground beef, 500 grams
Green peas, 2 1/2 cups (fresh or frozen)
Tomato paste, 1/2 cup
Salt, 2 teaspoons
Pepper, 1/2 teaspoon
Water, 1 1/2 cups
Dill, 2 bunches (washed, dried and finely chopped)
Butter, 4 tablespoons (melted)
Place the rice in a large bowl and cover with water. Wash and then pour off water. Repeat this three to four times until the rice is completely clean.
Soak the rice with six cups of water and two teaspoons of salt for two to four hours.
In a large skillet, brown the onions in canola oil over medium head.
Add turmeric and ground beef and using the back of a wooden spoon break up the meat until brown. Mix in the green peas, tomato paste, salt and pepper, and water and bring the sauce to a boil.
Then reduce the heat to low and cover. Let the sauce cook for about 15 minutes.
In a large pot, bring eight cups of water to a boil on high heat. Drain rice and gently pour into the boiling water. Bring water back to boil for ten minutes.
Test the rice to see if it’s done. Rice grains should be soft on the outside and firm on the inside. Right before draining your rice add the chopped dills and mix quickly. Drain rice with dill and rinse with cool water.
Clean out the pot and return to the stove, add two tablespoons oil to the pot over medium to high heat. With a spatula, place rice in the pot, layer it with meat and pea sauce, building it into a pyramid shape.
Make three holes in the rice to let the steam out. Cook for about ten minutes or until the steam starts to come out, Add the butter and place a dish towel or three layers of paper towel over pot and firmly cover the pot with its lid and reduce the heat to medium-low.
Cook for 40 minutes longer. Using spatula place rice on a serving platter without touching the crust. Mound rice in shape of a pyramid. Then remove the crust and place it on another dish and serve on side.
In order to develop tourism relations, Iran and Iraq are discussing visa waivers for each other’s citizens, said Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi.