伊朗行《16》--- Kashan

Kashan is a desert oasis situated in an historic region that dates back to pre-historic times. There are hundreds of once-grand traditional houses. in Kashan. Most have long since been carved up or are literally turning to dust, but recently a few have been restored and many others are being slowly and meticulously revived.

Originally built as a private residence in the early 19th century, the Khan-e Borujerdi has a lovely courtyard flanked by summer and winter houses.

At the southern end of the courtyard, the splendid motifs above the arched entrance to the summer house indicate this was the home of a rich merchant of handicrafts.

As you wander around the narrow streets of Kashan, look carefully at the doors.

Most have two knockers, one round and fat, the other long and thin.

These were designed to give off different sounds so that whoever was in the house would be able to tell whether a man or woman was knocking and so decide who should open the door to them; vital in a society where women lived in purdah (in seclusion or behind a veil).

Designed for Shah Abbas I, Bagh-e Tarikhi-ye Fin is a classical Persian vision of paradise. It has always been prized for its natural springs and still contains the remains of the Shah's two-storey palace.

Bagh-e Tarikhi-ye Fin is also infamous for being the site of the murder in 1851 of the revered Mirza Taghi Khan, commonly known as Amir Kabir.

Source: Lonely Planet