In medieval times Shiraz was an important city and it became the capital of Iran during the Zand dynasty from 1747 to 1779. During that time most of its monuments were constructed and there are so many things to see that it will keep you busy for several days. Shiraz has always been an intellectual center and it has one of Iran's finest universities. There are always plenty of students around who want to practice their English. The city has many spacious tree-lined avenues and a relaxed atmosphere. Zand is the city's main boulevard.
The tomb of the famous poet Hafez is surrounded by a lush garden and the Shah-Cheragh mausoleum is an important place of pilgrimage for Shi'ites. Numerous relics and other artifacts from the short lived Zand dynasty can be seen at the Pars Museum. The Ghajar palace was built in the 19th century and lies in the beautiful Eram garden.
There are numerous hotels and restaurants in Shiraz, most of them along, or near Zand. Shiraz has an international airport and bus connections with most major cities in Iran. Shiraz is 690 km south of Tehran and a good place to base yourself if you want to visit the ruins of Persepolis.
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