The city of Shiraz is located in the central region of the Fars Province, within one of the large southwest metropolis of Iran. Shiraz lies 1486 meters above the sea level, in the slopes of the Zagros Mountains and it bears a fairly mild climate. The city is 824 Km away from the capital city of Tehran. Based on the latest headcount of Iran’s Statistics Center, the population is over 1,455,073 as the sixth most populated city in Iran. Cities like Marvdasht and Sepidan are located in the northern parts of Shiraz, whereas Firouz Abad and Jahrom are located in the southern parts. Meanwhile Neiriz, Estehban and Fassa lie in the east of Shiraz and Kazeroun is located in the western part. 

Shiraz in History

Shiraz has been recorded under different terms in books and historical documents. Like Tirazis, Shirazis and also Shiraz. Fairytales claim that Shiraz, child of Tahmouress (one of the old kings) established this city and put his own name on it. Several records show that people have inhabited around the hills of Shiraz during the pre-Islamic era, for instance one can point to the stone paintings which go back to the early Sassanid era, two fire temples (named Hormozd and Carnian) in addition to an ancient castle called King Mobed, whereas the works discovered in the Sassanid Castle are now available in the Abu Nasr Palace. According to some others, a castle nearby the present Shiraz was called Shiraz and as a result once this city was built and constructed, the same name was put on it. During the pre-Islamic era, Shiraz was just a castle, going back to the Sassanid time. The city is transferred//moved to its present location in the Bani Omayyaid era and once the old capital city of the Fars Province is destructed, the city develops. George Cameron, the American linguist and history professor, supervised archaeological explorations in the Persepolis in 1935, finding Elamite clay-writings, on some of which the Tizaris or Shirazis Castle is mentioned. In the Abu Nasr Palace a number of signets and emblems relating to the late Sassanid era and early Islamic period have been found which bear the name Shiraz. Such items prove the ancientness this great city.

Shiraz as Capital City  

Shiraz was the capital city of Iran during the dynasty of the Safarrian, Boyian and Zandieh. In the past this city had titles like “Knowledge House” and “Talent House” for instance. As a city it manifests glorious signs of God, communication, love, art, science, mystics in addition to mystical and romantic ideas. The people of this city are very kind and friendly and they have a particular accent. The emergence of two great poets, Hafez and Saa’di, who enjoy worldwide fame, affected the lives of the inhabitants in diverse dimensions from the Moghul period onwards.

To be continued….    

Sepideh Afshar Rezaee

Translated by Shiva Shakib