Mashhad
Mashhad (مشهد in Persian, also spelt Meshed) is a city located 850 kilometers East of Tehran, Iran, and the center of the province of Razavi Khorasan.
With a population of more than 2.5 million, Mashhad is the second largest city in Iran and the second largest holy city of the world. It attracts more than 15 million tourists and pilgrims every year.
Imam Reza (the eighth Shi'ite Imam) is buried in this city. The city's climatic condition varies from very cold winters, pleasant springs, and usually mild summers, to beautiful autumns.
Apart from a number of large beautiful parks and the tombs of historical celebrities in nearby Tus and Neyshabour, the tomb of Nadir Shah and Kooh Sangi parks are also noteworthy sights.
There are also some locations outside the city: the tomb of Khajeh Morad kilometers from Mashhad along the road to Tehran; the tomb of Khajeh Rabi' located 6 kilometers north of the city where there are some inscriptions by the renowned Safavid calligrapher Reza Abbasi; and the tomb of Khajeh Abasalt in a distance of 20 kilometers from Mashhad along the road to Neishabur. (The three personalities were the disciples of Imam Reza). Mashhad is also home to one of the oldest libraries of the Middle-East called the Central Library of Astan Quds Razavi with a history of over six centuries.
Among the other sights are the tomb of the great poet Ferdowsi in Tus, 24 kilometers away from Mashhad; and the Summer resorts at Torghabeh, Torogh, Akhlamad, Zoshk, and Shandiz.
See also
- Ayatollah al-Shirazi, a Grand Ayatollah from Mashad.
- Khorasan
- Greater Khorasan
- Razavi Khorasan
External link
- Official website
- Mashhad photos, attractions, hotels
- Report about the execution by hanging in public of two male teenagers on 20th July 2005 for having a amicable homosexual relationship
