Welcome to the province of Kerman

Spring in Kerman Province means mountains full of tulips and vast plains. The province is filled with the fragrance of the Damascus rose and orange blossoms. Cherry trees flower in the Bardseer and Baft summer resorts and fresh dates are sold in the streets. The province's large area, with its diverse climate, presents ever-changing scenery and various agricultural goods.

- Kerman province, with an area of 186,422 sq. kms., is located in south-eastern Iran. It is bound on the north by the Khorasan and Yazd Provinces, on the south by the Hormuzgan Province and on the west by the Fars Province. The people of Kerman are active in the fields of industries, mines and agriculture.

The province ranks 14th in terms of land under cultivation, but ranks first in the country in fruit production. In 1994

- 1995, 4% of the entire area of the province was used for agricultural purposes. Rugs, blankets, cashmere, shawls, felt carpets and "jajeem" (coarse, woolen cloth with distinctive patterns) are the province's handicrafts. Kerman's carpets are highly popular, not only in Iran, but throughout the world.

The industries of metal, food, machinery and facilities respectively hold the highest industrial output in the province. Pistachios, dried fruit, car-pets, gelims Hand-made rugs), dates, fruit, vegetables, copper and decorative stones are the most important exportable goods from the province.

Kerman is as old as history. It is believed to have been founded as early as the 3rd century by Ardeshir I, founder of the Sassanian dynasty. Historical documents refer to Kerman as "Karmania," "Kermania" and "Zhermanya," which means bravery and combat. Geographers have recorded Kerman's ancient name as "Go'asheer" (Bardesheer).

Kerman has had very little peace in its history. From the 7th century, it has been ruled by Arabs, Buyids, the Seljuks, Turkmens and Mongols in turn until the Qajar dynasty, when it was a victim of the barbaric Aqa Mohammad Khan. Throughout its history, Kerman has been chosen as the capital by different kings, but it was Ganj Ali Khan (1005 to 1034 A.Il) during the Safavid era who brought about the city's prosperity. It was restored to security during the last century.

Kerman province has 10 townships, 28 districts, 24 cities and 141 rural districts. Baft, Sujan, Bardseer, Bam, Jiroft, Rafsanjan, Zarand, Shahr-e-Babak, Kerman and Kahnouj are Kerman's townships. The population of the province was 1,949,234 between 1994 and 1995. Almost 99% of the people speak Persian. Religious minorities use their own languages.

Kerman's Historical Sites

1) Jame' Kabeer or Mozatfari Mosque is the largest mosque. It was built in the 8th century A.H. during the reign of the AI-e-Mozaffar kings.

2) Imam Khomeini (Malek) Mosque was built during the reign of the Seljuk Touran Shah. It has numerous "shabestans" (verandas), a large courtyard and aqueducts built in the second half of the 5th century A.H.

1. Ganj Ali Khan Complex, which includes a school, bath, caravansary, market, water reservoir and square was built by Ganj Ali Khan. The complex is unique for its architecture and tile work.

Ganj Ali Khan's bath is located in the southern part of the square and was in use until half a century back. An exquisite blend of art and architecture, this building has a staggered entrance which opens into six spacious apses. True-to-life wax figures bring back the memory of every day scenes from the past. All garments and exhibited objects are period pieces: razors, phials for rose perfumes and long-stemmed pipes to be enjoyed after the bath. Sunlight pours in from the roof overhead, creating superb light effects.

4) Ibrahim Khan Zahiruddauleh's Complex includes a school, bath and ruler's hall.

5) Jabalieh Dome's fire temple is believed by archaeologists to date back to the Seljukian era.

6) The Green Dome ("Qobbeh Sabz"), erected in the 9th century A.ll., is the resting place of the Qarakhtanian.

7) Qaleh Dokhtar (Girl's Fortress) is located on the lofty eastern hills of Kerman city. Built during the Sassanid era, it is believed to have housed the Anahita Fire Temple.

8) Moshtaqiyeh Dome, built during the Qajar era, is the resting place of Moshtaq Ali Shah.

1. Mahan has some of the most beautiful minarets in Iran. The tomb of Shah Nur-eddin Nematollah Vali, poet, sage, Sufi and founder of an order of dervishes, has twin minarets covered with turquoise tiles from the bottom up to the cupola. The mausoleum was built by Ahmad Shah Kani; the rest of the building was constructed during the reigns of Shah Abbas the First, Mohammad Shah and Nasereddeen Shah.

10) Kerman's Market is one of the most interesting historical sites of Kerman. It includes the Mesgari bazaar, the Ganj All Khan Bazaar, the Ekhtiyari bazaar and the Vakil bazaar. Takhte Darya Qoli Baig, the Sirjan Stone Fort, mausoleum of Sheikh Ah Baba, llaj Aqa All mosque and Vakil mosque are some of the most notable monuments of Kerman.

Bam

Bam is located 193 kms. to the southeast of Kerman in the plains, between the Jebalbarez and Kabudi Mountains. Bam is 1,050 meters above

sea level, has an area of 19,480 sq. kms. and a population of approximately 182,040.

The oldest signs of civilization are found in the Bidroun hills located 10 kms. to the west of the city. Archelogical surveys indicate that the Bidroun hills date back to 4th millenium B.C. People have lived in Bam and in its vicinity from 6,000 years ago. In ancient times, people lived in a citadel which is now known as Arg.

Arg-e- Bam

Arg is the gem of Iranian historical sites and is one of the most beautiful buildings of the Ashkanian era. It is the largest adobe building in the world. Like a glorious fort, Arg, admeasuring 6 sq. krns., is located on a 61-meter high stone hill.

Historical accounts, sometimes verging into legends, abound. Arg-e Bam has been attributed to Bahman Pour Gashasb, who is the Achaemenian Ardeshir the First who lived in Iran circa 312 B.C. during Alexander's rule. lip to 180 years ago, people lived in Arg-e Bam.

The buildings inside are made of clay, bricks and clay mortar. There is only one entrance, which is similar to the Sassanid era's arches. The two towers at the sides and the vestibule are thought to have been added during the Safavid era. Relics of another gate can be seen in the northern section of the Arg.

Four fences enclose the Arg in the south. The first fence, 18 meters high, is the securest part and once kept the people immune from inroads. Towers are at a distance of approximately 30-. 40 meters.

The watch posts strengthened the security and served as resting places for guards. The crenatures and towers had a salient role in the fort's security. The outer fence of the Arg was surrounded by a moat.

Arg has a main route from the south to the ruler's palace, two parallel passes and a few rows of shops on the eastern and western sides. 60 meters of the main route to the market was roofed and a portion of its road was paved with stones. The Jame' Mosque, the prayer house, water reservoir, square, school, bath, a site for traditional sports, shrines and a number of ancient houses are recognized units of Arg.

Some houses had both inner and outer quarters, ventilation ducts, porches, summer and winter rooms, horse and cattle stables and water wells. Inhabitants made their living through agriculture and weaving.

From the second gate, one can see the ruling quarters located on top of the mountain. The dwelling contained an outdoor water reservoir near the stables and a well in the southeastern section.

The barracks and the house of the chief of the armed forces are located in the third gate. A windmill, unique in the Bam region and constructed during the Qajar era, is located in the southwestern tower.

The ruling quarters consist of two buildings called "Chahar Fasl" and the "Khane Hakem" (ruler's house), a central watch tower, bath, pond and water well. Until 80 years ago, the ruling quarters were used to accommodate the gendarmerie forces and served as the headquarters of the

armed forces.

Writings from the Islamic period and the architectural and archeological studies indicate that the Arg belonged to the period before the Sassanid rule and probably to the Ashkanian era. Arg-e Bam has been the focus of attention throughout history.

The first meeting of the History of Iran's Architecture and Urbanization was recently held in Arg-e Bam. The reconstruction plans for the Arg aim to preserve the site without affecting the form or superstructure. Several important sites, such as the mosque, the Mirza Naeem complex, the house of the Ahmadi or Zaboli family and the ruler's dwelling will be entirely reconstructed.

Kerman is one place which truly needs neither publicity nor recommendation. It is every tourist's delight.

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