14 days in May 2014, starting in Teheran, taking a flight to Shiraz an then back by car via Persepolis, Kerman, Yazd, Isfahan, and Kashan.
Beautiful landscapes, bustling bazaars, a history of thousands of years but without doubt the most spectacular highlight of Iran are the hospital and welcoming people.
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Existing since the 4th century bazaars are still important trade centers in the Iranian cities. The Grand Bazaar in Teheran is said to be the biggest in the world with more then 10km of narrow streets. It´s easy to get lost, but not for long as the friendly locals will gladly give direction. Nevertheless we found other bazaars like in Isfahan and Kashan more appealing, especially because of the attractive architecture. Due to the way they are constructed the bazaars are also good places to escape the heat of the day.
Well not an easy topic. In the 14 days of our travel in Iran, we have encountered many religious people but we also got the strong feeling that especially many of the younger generation we meet seem to love there country but strongly dislike the government and the religious leaders. Religion is of no spiritual importance to them but still part of there daily live as they have to obey the religious rules like dress codes, no alcohol, no dancing or making music in public places, etc. Well, all of this happens, but it´s behind the doors and always under the risk of discovery and punishment. Luckily under the current president Hassan Rohani some of this rules seem to be enforced less strict, giving the people slightly more personal freedom.
Erected 520 BC by Dareios 1 and burnt to the grounds by Alexander the Great 330 BC, Persepolis was the ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid Empire. It´s impressive to wonder around such a historic place and to look at all the reliefs showing the ambassadors groups of the different provinces of the Persian kingdom. They came regularly to Persepolis to pay their tribute to the king. At this times the Persian empire reached from Egypt to Anatolia and all the way to the Indus. Persepolis was declared a World Heritage Site 1979 by the UNESCO
Said to be one of the hottest places on earth (70,7 degree celsius sufarce temperature) the Dash-e Lut is as beautiful as it is deadly if you loose track. Although traveling in the “cool” season, sticking out the head of the driving car felt like holding the face directly in front of an enormous hair dryer. The remote place is also used by locals to enjoy a little bit of personal freedom.
It´s amazing that people live in this area, even in summertime.
© 2026 Beyond All Maps - Portraits of our Planet by Thorsten Mehret
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