Kashan
Kashan is one of the ancient cities of Iran destinations, located in the northern part of Isfahan province and most probably the first civilization on the earth dating back to 7000 to 10,000 years ago containing works of ancient time till now. Kashan is famous for its traditional architecture harmonious with the dried and desertic environment.
History
According to the findings of Sialk Hills, Kashan is an ancient oasis dating back to 7000 years ago where the early residents were settled in this part of Iran plateau. It was the first civilization of Aryan who still speaks Aryan language and wear the traditional costumes. There are many evidences found in Niasar and Sefid-Ab confirm that the earliest presence of human dates back to Paleolithic period.
Kashan is famous for its fine quality of tile and pottery and because of that tile is called Kashi in Farsi.
Topography
Kashan splits into two different parts: desert plains and mountainous areas. It is surrounded by two highest peaks of Karkas chain: Mount Gargash in the southwest of Kashan and Mount Ardehaal in the west of Kashan and Maranjab desert and Salt Lake of Central desert.
Climates
Kashan has been located between mountains and desert and so it has two different climates however it is hot and dry. The best time to visit is on March till early of May and September to November.
Attractions
There are many natural and historical attractions including carpet ceremony, extraction of rosewater, Sialk hills, Royal Persian garden of Fin, historical houses of Ameriha, Tabatabaees and Broujerdis, Soltan Amirahmad bath, underground city of Nushabad, Maranjab desert and Salt Lake.
Sialk Hills
Sialk is the name of the first civilization dating back to 5500-7000 years ago; when they used tools made of bones and stones. According to excavations in this area, they found many potteries belongs to Elamite period which indicates that Elamite were settled there after early residents or they dominated there. The early residents lived in the caves to protect themselves. Later, after climate changes, they moved to the grasslands.
There are two hills about 600 m away from each other. This city is one of the early industrial centers according to the old handcrafts and instrument found in this area such as pottery wheel indicates the trade of pottery; spinning wheel confirms the spinning industry and the bone of domestic animals prove the herding at that time.
Ziggurat is one of 4 Ziggurats built by Elamite in Sialk Hills 3000-4000 years ago.
Fin Persian Garden
Fin Garden is an example of ancient Persian gardens registered in UNESCO World Heritage Sites. This garden is the oldest garden dates back to Safavid dynasty. The residents part of this garden was built on 1521 ordered by Shah Abbass I (The Great Shah Abbass). Amir Kabir, the Qajar Chancellor was murdered in its bath.
Historical Houses of Kashan
The historical houses of Kashan are one of the richest and most important cultural values of Iranian architecture. House of the Broujerdis, house of the Ameris and house of the Tabatabaeis are the fine examples of historical and traditional Iranian architecture. There are more than 500 historical houses in the old part of Kashan which some of them has been refurbished.
House of the Tabatabaei is a historical house located in the old part of Kashan which was built in 1880 during the reign of Qajar dynasty. It was designed by Iranian architect, Ostad Ali Maryam. It is about 5,000 square meters including 40 rooms, 4 basements, 4 courtyards, 3 wind catchers and gardens.
The Underground City of Nushabad is a notable work of ancient architecture dating back to Sassanid time. It is located 5Km north of Kashan in Isfahan Province.
One reason for this underground city being built is to be supposed an escape from the high daytime temperature, however; there is a main reason the region was insecure and suffering from attacks and raids many times so by building the underground chained passages, the inhabitants could shelter there. The depth of the underground city varies from 4 to 18 meters and there are three levels with several openings in different parts which some of the openings are inside the houses and some are in the important public places. It was designed so that it required to move from down to up for going to different levels. So it prevented the enemies reaching to the upper levels.
Abyaneh is an ancient village in the central distinct of Natanz and 87Km away from Kashan towards Isfahan. This village is one of the oldest examples of ancient era with ruins of a Sassanid era fort. The locals speak a pure Persian dialect which has preserved some characteristics of the Sassanian Persia language. Abyanaki ladies has maintained the traditional costumes wearing a white long scarf covering the shoulders and a colorful pattern trunk with an under-knee skirt.