Yazd

Short description: City in Yazd province, Iran

For the administrative divisions, see Yazd province and Yazd County. For the village in Khuzestan province, see Yazd-e Now.

Yazd

یزد

Kath, Isatis

City

Top to bottom, left to right: Amir Chakhmaq Complex, Zoroastrian Fire Temple, Dowlatabad Garden, Jame Mosque, Markar Clock Tower, Moshir Caravansary (fa), Tomb of Sayyed Rukn ad-Din

Seal

Yazd

Coordinates:  [ ⚑ ] : 31°52′56″N 54°20′23″E﻿ / ﻿31.88222°N 54.33972°E﻿ / 31.88222; 54.33972[1]
Country|  Iran
Province| Yazd
County| Yazd
District| Central
Government

• Mayor| Abolghasem Mohiodini Anari
• City Council Chairman| Gholam Hossein Dashti
Elevation

| 1,216 m (3,990 ft)
Population

(2016)[2]

• Total| 529,673
Demonym(s)| Yazdi (en)
Time zone| UTC+3:30 (IRST)
Area code(s)| 035
Climate| BWh
Website| yazd.ir

UNESCO World Heritage Site

Official name| Historic City of Yazd
Type| Cultural
Criteria| iii, v
Designated| 2017 (41st session)
Reference no.| 1544
Region| Asia and the Pacific

Yazd (Persian: یزد [jæzd] (listen)),[3] formerly also known as Yezd,[4][5] is the capital of Yazd province, Iran. The city is 270 km (170 mi) southeast of Isfahan. At the 2016 census, its population was 529,673.[2] Since 2017, the historical city of Yazd is recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.[6]

Because of generations of adaptations to its desert surroundings, Yazd has a unique Persian architecture. It is nicknamed the "City of Windcatchers" (شهر بادگیرها Shahr-e Badgirha) from its many examples. It is also very well known for its Zoroastrian fire temples, ab anbars (cisterns), qanats (underground channels), yakhchals (coolers), Persian handicrafts, handwoven cloth (Persian termeh), silk weaving, Persian cotton candy, and its time-honored confectioneries. Yazd is also known as City of Bicycles, because of its old history of bike riders, and the highest number of bicycles per capita in Iran. It is reported that bicycle culture in Iran originated in Yazd as a result of contact with European visitors and tourists in the last[which?] century.[7]

## Contents

* 1 Name
* 2 History
* 3 Demographics
* 3.1 Language and ethnic groups
* 3.2 Religion
* 3.3 Population
* 4 Historical sites
* 5 Geography
* 5.1 Climate
* 6 Economy
* 7 Transportation
* 8 Politics
* 9 Famous residents
* 10 Education
* 11 Twin towns – sister cities
* 12 Gallery
* 13 See also
* 14 References
* 14.1 Citations
* 14.2 Bibliography
* 15 External links

## Name

Yazd means "pure" and "holy"; Yazd City means "City of the Holy [One, i. e., God]".[8] Former names of this city: Kath, Isatis.

## History

For a chronological guide to this subject, see Timeline of Yazd.

Archeological evidence 12 kilometers north of Yazd suggests that the area has been populated since the period of the Achaemenid Empire (550 BC–330 BC).[9] In his Natural History, Pliny the Elder (died 79 AD) mentions a town in the Parthian Empire (247 BC–224 AD) named "Issatis", which is seemingly connected to the name of the Asagarta/Istachae/Sagartians.[10] As a result, some scholars have suggested that the name of Yazd was derived from Issatis (also transliterated as Isatichae, Ysatis, Yasatis), and that the latter name started to be used in the Median or Achaemenid eras.[11]

The area encompassing Yazd first started to gain prominence in the Late antiquity, namely under the Sasanian Empire (224–651). Under Yazdegerd I (r. 399–420), a mint was established in Yazd (under the mint abbreviation of "YZ"), which demonstrates its increasing importance.[12] According to the New Persian chronicle Tarikh-i Yazd ("History of Yazd") of 1441, Yazd was re-founded by "Yazdegerd, son of Bahram", i.e. Yazdegerd II (r. 438–457).[13] The word yazd means God.[14] After the Muslim conquest of Persia, many Zoroastrians migrated to Yazd from neighboring provinces. By paying a levy, Yazd was allowed to remain Zoroastrian even after its conquest, and Islam only gradually became the dominant religion in the city.

Yazd Atash Behram.

Because of its remote desert location and the difficulty of access, Yazd remained largely immune to large battles and the destruction and ravages of war. For instance, it was a haven for those fleeing from destruction in other parts of Persian Empire during the Mongol invasion. In 1272 it was visited by Marco Polo, who remarked on the city's fine silk-weaving industry. In the book The Travels of Marco Polo, he described Yazd in the following way:

> It is a good and noble city, and has a great amount of trade. They weave there quantities of a certain silk tissue known as Yasdi, which merchants carry into many quarters to dispose of. When you leave this city to travel further, you ride for seven days over great plains, finding harbour to receive you at three places only. There are many fine woods producing dates upon the way, such as one can easily ride through; and in them there is great sport to be had in hunting and hawking, there being partridges and quails and abundance of other game, so that the merchants who pass that way have plenty of diversion. There are also wild asses, handsome creatures. At the end of those seven marches over the plain, you come to a fine kingdom which is called Kerman.

Yazd briefly served as the capital of the Muzaffarid Dynasty in the fourteenth century, and was unsuccessfully besieged in 1350–1351 by the Injuids under Shaikh Abu Ishaq. The Friday (or Congregation) mosque, arguably the city's greatest architectural landmark, as well as other important buildings, date to this period. During the Qajar dynasty (18th century AD) it was ruled by the Bakhtiari Khans.

Under the rule of the Safavids (16th century), some people migrated from Yazd and settled in an area that is today on the Iran-Afghanistan border. The settlement, which was named Yazdi, was located in what is now Farah City in the province of the same name in Afghanistan. Even today, people from this area speak with an accent very similar to that of the people of Yazd.

One of the notable things about Yazd is its family-centered culture. According to official statistics from Iran's National Organization for Civil Registration, Yazd is among the three cities with the lowest divorce rates in Iran.[citation needed]

## Demographics

### Language and ethnic groups

The majority of the people of Yazd are Persians. They speak Persian with a Yazdi accent, which is different from the Persian accent of Tehran.

### Religion

The majority of people in Yazd are Shia Muslim. Yazd is a strongly religious, traditionalist and conservative city.[15] Several city traditions are the Muslim parades and gatherings, which are mainly processions called azadari held to commemorate the events experienced by the main Islamic martyrs and other important figures. These huge public gatherings created a series of spaces which, since most are near important urban monuments, are used at other times as hubs from which visitors can tour the main spots in the city.[16]

There is also a sizable population of Zoroastrians in the city. In 2013, Sepanta Niknam was elected to the city council of Yazd and became the first Zoroastrian councillor in Iran.[17] The Pir-e-Naraki[18] sanctuary is one of the important pilgrimage destinations for Zoroastrians, where an annual congregation is held and frequent visits are made during the year; it is now also a famous tourist spot. The story of the last Persian prince to come to Yazd before the arrival of Islam adds to its importance. Such a transformation has occurred several times.[clarification needed][19]

There was once a relatively large Jewish-Yazdi community, however, after the creation of Israel, many have moved there for varying reasons. Former president of Israel Moshe Katsav is an example.

### Population

At the 2006 census, the population of the city of Yazd was 423,006 in 114,716 households.[20] The following census in 2011 counted 486,152 people in 141,572 households.[21] The 2016 census showed a population of 529,673 people in 158,368 households.[2]

During the Pahlavi era, a large group of Kurds from the Gulbaghi tribe were moved from the north of Kurdistan province to the city of Yazd and the cities of Isfahan, Kashan, and Nayin. Today, the Gulbaghi tribe are mostly assimilated elements in the population of these cities.[22][23]

Historical population

Year| Pop.| ±% p.a.
1986| 230,483| —
1991| 275,298| +3.62%
1996| 326,776| +3.49%
2006| 432,194| +2.84%
2011| 486,152| +2.38%
2016| 529,673| +1.73%
source:[24]

## Historical sites

Yazd Tower of Silence

Yazd is an important centre of Iranian architecture. Because of its climate, it has one of the largest networks of qanats (underground water supply systems) in the world, and Yazdi qanat makers are considered the most skilled in Iran.

To deal with the extremely hot summers, many old buildings in Yazd have magnificent wind towers and large underground areas.

The city is also home to prime examples of yakhchals, which were used to store ice retrieved from glaciers in the nearby mountains. Yazd is also one of the largest cities built almost entirely out of adobe.

Yazd's heritage as a center of Zoroastrianism is also important. There is a Tower of Silence on the outskirts, and the city has an ateshkadeh which holds a fire that has been kept alight continuously since 470 AD. Zoroastrians make up a significant minority of the population, around 20,000–40,000 or 5 to 10 percent.

The 11th-century brick mausoleum and shrine Davāzdah Imām is the oldest dated building in the city.[25]

Built in 12th century and still in use, Jame Mosque of Yazd is an example of the finest Persian mosaics and excellent architecture. Its minarets are the highest in the country. Tomb of Sayyed Rukn ad-Din is nearby the mosque.

## Geography

### Climate

Yazd has a hot desert climate (Köppen climate classification BWh). It is the driest major city in Iran, with a yearly precipitation amount that is less than 60 millimetres (2.4 in), and has only 11.5 days of precipitation. Summer temperatures are frequently above 40 °C (104 °F) in blazing sunshine with low humidity, on 35.3 days per year the maximum daily temperature reaches or exceeds 40 °C (104 °F)[26]. Even at night the temperatures in summer are rather uncomfortable. In the winter, the days remain mild and sunny, but in the morning the thin air and low cloudiness cause cold temperatures, with 24.3 days per year in which the minimum temperature falls below 0 °C (32 °F)[26].

Dust events are not uncommon in Yazd, as they happen 52 days per year. Thick haze is much more common (135.8 days annually) and is more frequent in winter.[26]

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## Economy

Always known for the quality of its silk and carpets, Yazd today is one of Iran's industrial centers for textiles. There is also a considerable ceramics and construction materials industry and unique confectionery and jewellery industries. A significant portion of the population is also employed in other industries including agriculture, dairy, metal works, and machine manufacturing. There are a number of companies involved in the growing information technology industry, mainly manufacturing primary materials such as cables and connectors. Currently Yazd is the home of the largest manufacturer of fibre optics in Iran.[citation needed]

Yazd's confectioneries have a tremendous following throughout Iran and have been a source of tourism for the city. Confectioners workshops (khalifehs, or experts) keep their recipes a guarded secret, and there are many that have remained a private family business for many generations. Baklava, ghotab and pashmak are the most popular sweets made in the city.

In 2000 the Yazd Water Museum opened;[29] it features exhibits of water storage vessels and historical technologies related to water.

Yazd has expanded its industrial fields since the 1980s. With at least three main industrial areas each containing over 70 different factories, Yazd has become one of the most technologically advanced cities of Iran.

## Transportation

In addition to its connection with major Iranian cities via Iranian Railways,[30] Yazd is served by the Shahid Sadooghi Airport.[31]

## Politics

List of mayors of Yazd

* Eskandar Aslani (circa 1979)[32]
* Muhammad-Ali Vahdati[chronology citation needed]
* Ali-Akbar Farshi
* Muhammad-Hassan Khorshidnam
* Hosseyn A'laii
* Muhammad-Mahdi Sherafat
* Ali-Akbar Aramun
* Morteza Shayeq
* Ali-Akbar Mirvakili
* Mohammad Azim Zadeh (circa 2017)[33]

## Famous residents

Khatami

* Mohammad Khatami, former president of Iran; born in Ardakan
* Mohammad Ali Jafari, the commander of the Army of the Guardians of the Islamic Revolution of Iran
* Mohammad Reza Aref, Vice President of Iran from 2001 to 2005
* Mirza Mohammad Farrokhi Yazdi, poet and politician
* Vahshi Bafghi, poet
* Habibollah Bitaraf, former Minister of Energy
* Moshe Katsav, former President of Israel
* Mohammad-Ali Eslami Nodooshan, Iranian author
* Mehdi Azar Yazdi, author of children's stories
* Reza Amrollahi, Head of Atomic Energy Organization of Iran 1981–1997
* Iraj Afshar, bibliographer, historian, and an iconic figure in the field of Persian studies
* Ahmad Fardid, prominent Iranian philosopher and an inspiring and dedicated professor
* Sharaf ad-Din Ali Yazdi, 15th-century Persian historian.
* Zia'eddin Tabatabaee, Iranian politician and the Prime Minister of Iran
* Reza Ardakanian, Iranian professor, politician and the former Minister of Energy of Iran
* Sems Kesmai, poet

## Education

University of Yazd

The University of Yazd was established in 1988. It has a college of architecture specializing in traditional Persian art and architecture.[34] Yazd and its nearby towns contain the following institutes of higher education:

* Yazd Science and Research
* Yazd University
* Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences and Health Services
* Payam e Nour University of Yazd
* Yazd Institute of Higher Education (ACECR)
* Islamic Azad University of Bafq
* Islamic Azad University of Maybod
* Islamic Azad University of Yazd
* Yazd Sampad Information Center
* Yazd Science and Technology Park
* Applied Science University of Yazd
* Imam Java University College
* Barazande muqadam High School (Tizhushan)
* Shahid Sadoughi High School (Tizhushan)
* Shahid Sadoughi Middle School (Tizhushan)
* Farzanegan Middle School (Tizhushan)
* Bahadori High School
* Farzanegan High School (Tizhushan)
* Iranshahr High School

## Twin towns – sister cities

Yazd is twinned with:

* Holguín, Cuba
* Homs, Syria
* Jászberény, Hungary[35]
* Poti, Georgia[36]

## Gallery

* Yazd Entrance

* Amir Chakhmaq Complex

* Jameh Mosque

* Fire Temple

* Dowlatabad Garden pavilion

* A Zurkhaneh in Yazd

* Lari House in Yazd

* Dad Hotel, Yazd, Iran

* Khoshnevis Garden

## See also

* Iran
* Yazd Province

## References

### Citations

1. ↑ OpenStreetMap contributors (3 March 2023). "Yazd, Yazd County" (Map). OpenStreetMap. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Census of the Islamic Republic of Iran, 1395 (2016)" (in fa) (Excel). The Statistical Center of Iran. p. 21. https://www.amar.org.ir/Portals/0/census/1395/results/abadi/CN95_HouseholdPopulationVillage_21.xlsx.
3. ↑ Yazd can be found at GEOnet Names Server, at this link, by opening the Advanced Search box, entering "-3088569" in the "Unique Feature Id" form, and clicking on "Search Database".
4. ↑ EB (1888).
5. ↑ EB (1911). harv error: no target: CITEREFEB1911 (help)
6. ↑ "Historical City of Yazd Inscribed as World Heritage Site". 9 July 2017. http://ifpnews.com/exclusive/historical-city-yazd-inscribed-world-heritage-site/.
7. ↑ "Bicycle history in Yazd". 11 February 2009. http://ghoolabad.com/index1.asp?id=5.
8. ↑ JadvalYab.ir. "یزد". https://jadvalyab.ir/dehkhoda/یزد. "با ایزد و یزدان همریشه است و معنی آن پاک و مقدس و درخور تحسین و آفریننده ٔ خوبیهاست و نام شهر یزداز آن است."
9. ↑ Choksy 2020, p. 222.
10. ↑ Choksy 2020, p. 222–223.
11. ↑ Choksy 2020, p. 223.
12. ↑ Choksy 2020, p. 227.
13. ↑ Choksy 2020, p. 225.
14. ↑ Steingass, Francis Joseph. A Comprehensive Persian-English dictionary, including the Arabic words and phrases to be met with in Persian literature. London: Routledge & K. Paul, 1892.
15. ↑ Michael M. J. Fischer (2003). University of Wisconsin Press. ed. Iran: From Religious Dispute to Revolution. ISBN 9780299184735.
16. ↑ "همشهری آنلاین: آشنایی با برخی آئین‌‌های عزاداری در استان یزد". Hamshahrionline.ir. 2013-12-04. http://www.hamshahrionline.ir/details/192235.
17. ↑ "Iran Suspends Zoroastrian Member of Yazd City Council", The Associated Press (The New York Times), 9 October 2017, https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2017/10/09/world/middleeast/ap-ml-iran-religious-minorities.html, retrieved 9 October 2017
18. ↑ Ed Eduljee. "Pir-e Seti. Pir-e Naraki. Pilgrimage in Zoroastrianism". Heritageinstitute.com. http://www.heritageinstitute.com/zoroastrianism/worship/setinaraki.htm.
19. ↑ "پیرنارکی مهریز در لیست مهمترین جاذبه‌های دینی جهان - سایت خبری یزدفردا". Yazdfarda.com. 2 March 1392. http://www.yazdfarda.com/mehrizfarda/news/1392/03/69776.html.
20. ↑ "Census of the Islamic Republic of Iran, 1385 (2006)" (in fa) (Excel). The Statistical Center of Iran. p. 21. http://www.amar.org.ir/DesktopModules/FTPManager/upload/upload2360/newjkh/newjkh/21.xls.
21. ↑ "Census of the Islamic Republic of Iran, 1390 (2011)" (in fa) (Excel). The Statistical Center of Iran. p. 21. https://irandataportal.syr.edu/wp-content/uploads/Yazd.xls.
22. ↑ Ahmadi, Mansur (2022). "سیاست های ایلیاتی پهلوی اول برابر گلباغی ها". The Scientific Journal of Cihan University – Sulaimanyia 6 (3): 391–404. doi:10.25098/6.3.21. https://journal.sulicihan.edu.krd/index.php/sjcus/article/view/153.
23. ↑ "کینه رضا شاه از طوایف و عشایر گه‌لواخی/ نه گلباغی ماند اینجا نه همدانی آنجا". 8 May 1402. https://rojanpress.ir/main/1219-کینه-رضا-شاه-از-طوایف-و-عشایر-گه‌لواخی/-نه-گلباغی-ماند-اینجا-نه-همدانی-آنجا.html.
24. ↑ Iran: Provinces and Cities population statistics
25. ↑ Anisi, Alireza (2009). "The Davāzdah Imām Mausoleum at Yazd: A Re-Examination". Iran 47: 57–68. doi:10.1080/05786967.2009.11864759. ISSN 0578-6967.
26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 26.2 26.3 "World Meteorological Organization Climate Normals for 1991-2020: Yazd" (CSV). NOAA. https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/2.2/data/0-data/Region-2-WMO-Normals-9120/Iran/CSV/Yazd_40821.csv.
27. ↑ TEMPERATURE RECORDS LOWEST IN C. "Form 6:TEMPERATURE RECORDS LOWEST IN C. Station: Yazd (40821)". Iran Meteorological Organization. http://www.chaharmahalmet.ir/stat/archive/iran/yaz/YAZD/6.asp TEMPERATURE RECORDS LOWEST IN C..
* "Form 7: TEMPERATURE RECORDS HIGHEST IN C. Station: Yazd(40821)". IRIMO. http://www.chaharmahalmet.ir/stat/archive/iran/yaz/YAZD/7.asp.
28. ↑ "Yazd Climate Normals 1961–1990". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. ftp://ftp.atdd.noaa.gov/pub/GCOS/WMO-Normals/RA-II/IR/40821.TXT.
29. ↑ [1]
30. ↑ "Train Stations in Yazd | railcc". https://rail.cc/yazd/station/c.
31. ↑ Tourist, Virtual (2017-02-23). "Yazd Transportation – Taxi, Train, Bus, and Airport Tips" (in en-US). https://www.smartertravel.com/yazd-transportation-taxi-train-bus-airport-tips/.
32. ↑ "شهرداران يزد پس از انقلاب اسلامي" (in fa). Municipality of Yazd. http://yazd.ir/شهرداران-قبلی.
33. ↑ "شهـردار يــزد" (in fa). Municipality of Yazd. http://yazd.ir/شهردار-یزد.
34. ↑ Admin (2021-11-24). "Yazd University Scholarship 2021 [Updated"] (in en-us). https://ghanadmission.com/yazd-university-scholarship-updated/.
35. ↑ "Testvérvárosi kapcsolataink" (in hu). Berény Café. 2016-08-18. http://jku.hu/2016/08/18/testvervarosi-kapcsolataink/.
36. ↑ "დამეგობრებული ქალაქები" (in ka). Poti. http://poti.gov.ge/დამეგობრებული-ქალაქები/.

### Bibliography

* Baynes, Thomas Spencer; William Robertson Smith, eds. (1888), "Yazd", Encyclopædia Britannica, 9th ed., Vol. XXIV, New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, p. 733 .
* Choksy, Jamsheed K. (2020). "Yazd: a “Good and Noble City” and an “Abode of Worship”". Cities of Medieval Iran. Brill. pp. 217–252. ISBN 978-90-04-43433-2. https://brill.com/view/title/56495.

## External links

* Rare Photos of Arak, Yazd, Kashan Iranian.com
* Phototour of the desert city (Yazd)

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