Kashan

Kashan

 Many travellers opt to bypass  Kashan on their journeys between Tehran, Esfahan and Yazd, but we counsel you not to do the same. In fact, this delightful oasis city on the edge of the Dasht-e Kavir gets our vote as one of the most alluring destinations in Iran, boasting a highly atmospheric covered bazaar, a cluster of architecturally signifi cant 19th-century houses and three excellent accommodation options. Shah Abbas I agreed with our assessment – he was so enamoured with Kashan that he insisted on being buried here rather than in Esfahan. Other historical fi gures of note who are associated with the town include Abu Musa al-Ashari, a soldier and companion of the Prophet Mohammed whose army took the town in the 7th century AD. Legend has it that his troops tossed thousands of scorpions from the surrounding desert over the city walls, causing the terrifi ed Kashanis to capitulate. During the Seljuk period (AD 1051–1220) the town became famous for its textiles, pottery and tiles. Today it is a major centre for the production of textiles, rugs and rose water, and a great place to stock up on qual
ity souvenirs. The most popular time of the year to visit is April, when the fi elds of rose bushes outside town are in full and fragrant bloom. 

Sights:
 AZAAR & AROUND THE BAZAAR
 4.30-8pm Sat-Thu) is one of the best in Iran. Busy but not hectic, traditional but with a wide variety of goods, large enough to surprise but not to get lost in, it’s a great place to wander for a couple of hours, especially in the late afternoon. The multidomed roof of the bazaar dates from the 19th century, but the site has been the centre of trade in Kashan for almost 800 years. If you step off  the main thoroughfare, you’ll discover caravanserais, madrasehs, mosques and hammams (public bathhouses). When exploring, be sure to make your way to the magnifi cent  Khan Amin alDowleh Timche, a caravanserai with a soaring, beautifully decorated dome. Dating from 1868, it’s currently being restored by the Kashani Culture & Heritage Offi  ce. There’s a tea stand at one of its entrances where you can sit and watch a steady stream of shoppers pass by. Alternatively, the 19th-century Hammam-e Khan (p 151 ) is a popular spot for a tea and qalyan (water pipe) in the late afternoon. Other notable features in the bazaar include the Seljuk-era Masjede Soltani (Soltani Mosque), located on the main thoroughfare (known as ‘The Main Line’), and the 800-year-old Mir Amad Mosque, located on a thoroughfare known as ‘The Copper Line’. The latter is also where the most interesting shops are located. For a delicious snack, purchase some Kashani biscuits from one of the bazaar’s many patisseries – the nargili (coconut macaroons) are particularly delicious.

Free: Masjed-e Agha Borzog

 (Agha Bozorg Mosque & Madraseh; h8am-8pm) This 19th-century  mosque complex is famous for its symmetrical design. It comprises four storeys, including a large sunken courtyard with ablutions pool, an austere 

dome, tiled minarets and unusually lofty badgirs (windtowers). The wooden front door is said to have as many studs as there are verses in the Quran, and the mud-brick walls are covered with Quranic inscriptions and mosaics. Inside, there’s a fi ne portal and mihrab (niche indicating the direction of Mecca) on the right at the rear of the compound. The madraseh in the sunken courtyard is still in use (women should steer clear), though the mosque itself has been decommissioned. Entrance is usually free; the only exception is during April and No Ruz, when a charge of US$0.50 per person is levied. To the left of the mosque’s entrance is the  Khajeh Taj ad-Din (www.tajaddin.com; a donation requested; h8am-9pm), the tomb of Ghotbs Kashani, a famous mystic of the Qajar period. 

 ALAVI STREET & AROUND 
Traditional Houses :
 Hiding behind the town’s high mud-brick walls are hundreds of large traditional houses built by wealthy merchants, monuments to the importance of Kashan as a Qajar-era commercial hub. Built during the 19th century, most have long since been carved up or are literally turning to dust, but several have been restored and are open to the public. All are set around a series of interlinked courtyards and are embellished with fi ne stucco panels, ostentatious stained glass and lofty badgirs. 

  khan-e Tabatabei:
 (off  Alavi St; admission US$1.80; h8am-sunset) Built around 1880, Seyyed Jafar Tabatabei’s house is renowned for its intricate stone reliefs, fi ne stucco and wonderful mirror and stained-glass work. The house consists of three sections: the andaruni (internal area where family members lived), the biruni (external area used for entertaining and housing guests) and the khadame (servants’ quarters). These are set around four courtyards, the largest of which boasts a fountain pool. From mid-afternoon (depending on the month), sunlight and stained glass combine to bathe some rooms in brilliant colour. To get here, walk south past the Khan-e Borujerdi towards the blue conical tower of the Imamzadeh-ye Sultan Mir Ahmad and turn right – the entrance is on the left

**** WHO’S THAT KNOCKING AT MY DOOR? *****
A s you wander around the narrow streets of Kashan, look carefully at the house doors. Most have two knockers: one round and fat, the other long and thin. These were designed to give off  diff erent sounds so that those in the house would be able to tell whether a man or woman was knocking and then decide who should go to the door – vital in a society where women lived in purdah (in seclusion or behind a veil). The round and fat knockers signalled a female guest, the long and thin a male

Khan-e Ameriha :
(Alavi St; admission US$0.65; h9am-6pm) The largest and most impressive of the town’s mansions, this complex was built at the end of the 18th century by Ebrahim Khalil Ameri, Kashan’s governor and one of the country’s wealthiest men. Ameri had made his money supplying the shah with arms and providing security along the trade route between Tehran and Kerman. When completed, his was the largest home in Persia, encompassing four mansions for diff erent family members linked by seven courtyards over 9000 sq metres. All of the buildings were fast returning to dust by the time restoration work began in 1999. So far, millions of euros have been spent and one by one the courtyards and surrounding buildings are being returned to their extravagant best (expect to see lots of scaff olding). Highlights include the mirrored reception rooms, two hammams (one of which was built specifi cally for local pregnant women) and the naghb (mask room), which leads to a secret escape tunnel. To see it, get chummy with the attendants…and ask to be let onto the roof. Parts of the house will open as a top-end traditional hotel in the next few years
khan-e Abbasian:
off  Alavi St; admission US$1.80; h8am-sunset) Built by a fabulously wealthy glass merchant, this handsome complex of six buildings is spread over several levels. The numerous courtyards are designed to enhance the sense of space by becoming larger as they step up, culminating in an open courtyard on top. The high porticos and reception halls are decorated with the usual plaster reliefs and fi ne mirror work but also feature exceptionally beautiful and detailed stained-glass windows (as befi ts their original owner). The house’s khadame has been converted into a restaurant and teahouse (see p 151 ). To fi nd the house, walk down a lane parallel to Alavi St, starting opposite the Hammam Sultan Mir Ahmad.

*****notice: the price of place are out of update please check them before go somewhere
I think 1 or 2 visit traditional houses is enough they are same each other*****

Hotel and Hostel:
there are a lot of hotel in each cities but I prefer only tell you cheap place in each city for stay because most of the passenger are in low budget

Mosaferkhaneh-ye Golchariyan MOSAFERKHANEH $
 (%444 5495; Abazar St; s/d without bathroom US$9/14.50) Noisy rooms, hard beds and fi lthy bathrooms (for which you must pay US$0.90 per shower) make this place worth considering only if you’re stony broke. No breakfast and no English spoken.

Shirin hostle :

I do not have information about exactly price but I think it is cheapest place to stay in Kashan

Noghli House :
TRADITIONAL HOTEL $ (%423 3324, 0913 276 5984; info@noghlihouse. com; bed & 3 meals US$27; W) Mr Rezvanian, who speaks English, and his charming family welcome travellers into their home, which is an old house located behind the Masjed-e Agha Bozorg. The small, celllike rooms are arranged around two small courtyards and have very hard beds. Fortunately, both these and the shared bathrooms (one with sit-down fl ush toilet) are clean, and the delicious meals are served on a communal table (US$6.50 if you’re not staying here, but be sure to book ahead). Excellent value.