Neyshabur Turquoise
Neyshabur Turquoise isthe finest in the world. For at least 2,000 years, Iran and Neyshabur has remained an important source of turquoise which was named by Iranians initially pirouzeh (Arabic Firouzeh) meaning victory.This deposit, which is blue naturally, and turns green when heated due to dehydration, is restricted to a mine-riddled region in Neyshabur, the2,012-metre (6,601 ft) mountain peak of Ali-mersai, which is tens of kilometers from Mashhad, the capital of Khorasan province.
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Neyshabur Turquoise[/caption]In Iranian architecture, theblue turquoisewas used to cover the domes of the Iranian palaces because the intense blue color was also a symbol of heaven on the earth.
On the Silk Road to Neyshabur
It is actually too easy to get to Neyshabur. The city is on Tehran-Mashhad route and along with the ancient Silk Road. Many religious tourists who drive to Mashhad by theirprivate car, stop at Neyshabur on the way and explore the city. From Tehran to Neyshabur is almost 700 KM and from Neyshabur to Mashhad an extra 130 KM drive. Neyshabur is connected to Irans national railway and every Tehran-Mashhad train stops at Neyshabur train station. Tehran-Mashhad buses also stop in Neyshabur at the big Gharargah square in the north of the city.
Tomb of Omar Khayyam
Outside Iran and Persian speaking countries, Khayym has had an impact on literature and societies through the translation of his works. Khayyam, the famous Iranian poet, philosopher, mathematician and astronomer was born in Neyshabur and was buried there after death in the Khayyam Garden at the mausoleum of Imamzadeh Mahruq.
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The ceiling in Khayyam tomb / Photo Credit: Javad Jafari[/caption]He is the author of one of the most important treatises on algebra written before modern times. He also completed Iranian Jalali Calendar, the official calendar which is used in Iran today.His mausoleum which was completed in 1963, remains a masterpiece of Iranian architecture visited by many people every year.
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Tomb of Omar Khayyam / Photo Credit: Javad Jafari[/caption]Of his poems:
And, as the Cock crew, those who stood before
The Tavern shouted Open then the Door!
You know how little time we have to stay,
And once departed, may return no more.
In the name and spirit of the great astronomer OmarKhayyam, a new Planned-planetarium was built in Neyshabour some short steps from his tomb.
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Khayyam planetarium and science center in Neyshabur / Photo source: IRIB[/caption]Kamal Al Mulk mausoleum
Mohammad Ghaffari, known as Kamal Al Molk was a famous Iranian painter and the royal painter of King Nasereddin Shah Qajar at the age of 18. Kamal-ol-Molk died in Neyshabur, Iran, in 1940. Mournful people, especially family and closely related friends, marched his body next to the tomb of Sufi poet, Attar. His mausoleum is another Iranian architectural masterpiece, done by the same architect who built that of Omar Khayyam.
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Resting place of Attar and Kamal ul Molk[/caption]Attar of Neyshabur
There is not much known about the life of Attar, however sources confirm that he was born in Neyshabur. He was one of the most famous mystic poets of Iran and his works were the inspiration for Rumi and many other poets. Among the modern writers, the Argentinian writerJorge Luis Borgeswas very much influenced by Attars book the Conference of the Birds.Attar died a violent death in the massacre which the Mongols inflicted on Neyshabur in April 1221. This attack was an end to the life of many great scholars as toNeyshabur was city of knowledge and innovation at the time. The Mongol invasion changed the city to blood river and Neyshabur could never gain back its place in the world.Today, Attars mausoleum is one of the major destination for tourists as well as the lovers of his teachings.
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Tomb of Attar[/caption]Ghadamgah garden
The beautiful garden is located on Binalud mountain and together with the structure inside it, was built during Safavi dynasty. Though the place performed as Caravanserai orroadside innlong before than that, where travelers could rest and recover from the religious journey to Mashhad. Inside the building there is a spring which the water is still flowing for centuries. It is said that Imam Reda a.s the 8th Shia Imam stopped there for prayer on his way to Tus, the Abassid throne and the water has been flowing to the surface since then.
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Ghadamgah garden[/caption]The wooden mosque
Located inSouth EastNeyshabur at Mohammad Abad village, this mosque is said to be the first and only wooden mosque in the world.
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The wooden Mosque in Mohammadabad[/caption]The Azar Barzin Mehr fire temple
Rivand is an area between Neyshabur and Sabzevar (30 kilometer to Sabzevar) in which theres a Zoroastrian fire temple known as Azar Barzin Mehr dating back to Sassanid dynasty and was considered as one of the 3 most important fire temples at the time. The fire temple proves that Neyshabur and Sabzevar have always been important places. However nothing from the ancient town remained today.
Neyshabur; All in One
In the northern part of Neyshabur on Binalud mountain range the weather is cold and snowy in winter and the scenery is green and beautiful in spring and summer. While the south is plain desert and the weather is hot. Severe wind often blows during spring and fall in south Neyshabur and covers part of the agricultural fields with sand.
There is a Middle Eastern proverb that suggests two things make men free from sorrow: Morning of Neyshabur and Sleeping in Baghdad. People in Khorasan believe in the Neyshaburs morning breeze and travel to Neyshabur from the cities nearby only to experience breathing the Neyshabur fresh morning air. It may have only been a myth or maybe the chill breeze that is blowing from Binalud mountain range has some connections to the gentle wind in Tibet. After all, Neyshabur has them all. As Jorge Luis Borges was quoted : If you wanted to travel to only one city in the world, I have no doubt thats the city of Nishapur. I thinkthe secretis all in the same universe.
By Dream Of Iran
The Iran Project is not responsible for the content of quoted articles.
