Kashan history

Kashan is one of the oldest cities in Iran, with a history spanning thousands of years. Located on the edge of the central desert, it emerged as an oasis and eventually evolved into an important cultural, trading, and craft centre, leaving a profound mark on the region's history.

Foundation and First Mentions

The history of Kashan is rooted in prehistoric times, as confirmed by unique archaeological finds.

• Tepe Sialk: Near modern Kashan lies the archaeological complex of Tepe Sialk. Studies have shown that the first settlements appeared here between 6000 and 5500 BC. This makes the region one of the primary centres of ancient civilisations.
• Ancient Ziggurat: The ruins of a ziggurat, built around 3000 BC, have been preserved within Sialk, testifying to the high level of social development at that time.
• Elamite Period: It is believed that the history of the city itself dates back to the Elamite civilisation, which flourished in this region long before the Common Era.
• Legendary Origin: There is a tradition linking Kashan to the Three Wise Men (Magi from the East), who, according to biblical history, set out on a journey following a star.

Key Factors of Development

Kashan owes its growth and prosperity to a combination of a strategic location, trade, and the patronage of powerful dynasties.

• Geography: The city emerged as an oasis on the edge of the desert, making it a vital stop on the ancient trade route from Qom to Kerman. The presence of water sources attracted caravans and facilitated settled life.
• Trade: Kashan was a significant hub on the Great Silk Road, where trade routes intersected. This contributed to economic growth and cultural exchange.
• Political Role: The city flourished during the reigns of the Seljuk (11th–12th centuries) and Safavid (16th–18th centuries) dynasties. In the Seljuk era, Kashan became a centre of arts and architecture. The Safavid Shahs, especially Shah Abbas I, loved the city and invested in its development, notably in the creation of the famous Fin Garden.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

Since ancient times, Kashan has been renowned for its crafts and architectural achievements.

• Craft Centre: The city was known as a major centre for artistic crafts. It gained particular fame for the production of high-quality ceramics, tiles, and carpets. It was in Kashan that stonepaste (fritware)—a material similar to porcelain—was developed.
• Architecture: Significant structures were erected here as early as the early Islamic period, such as the Zeinoddin Minaret (1073) and the Meydan Mosque (1224), which remain important historical monuments today.

Key Dates in the History of Kashan

The history of Kashan is rich with events—from ancient civilisations to significant political dramas. Below are the main milestones that shaped the character and spirit of this city.

• 6th–5th Millennium BC: One of the world's oldest settlements, Tepe Sialk, emerges on the territory of the modern city, making this region a cradle of civilisation.
• Around 3000 BC: Construction of the ziggurat at Sialk, evidencing the high level of development of the local society during the Elamite period.
• 11th–12th Centuries: Kashan experiences a golden age during the Seljuk dynasty, becoming a vital centre for ceramics, tiling, and carpet weaving.
• 13th Century: Like many others in the region, the city suffers destruction during the Mongol invasion but eventually recovers and regains its significance.
• 16th–17th Centuries: In the Safavid era, Kashan becomes a favourite retreat for Persian Shahs, particularly Shah Abbas I, who invested in its development.
• 1590: By order of Shah Abbas I, the famous Fin Garden (Bagh-e Fin) is founded, becoming a jewel of Persian garden art.
• 1778: A devastating earthquake almost completely destroys the city, which was subsequently rebuilt during the Qajar dynasty.
• 1852: Amir Kabir, the distinguished Prime Minister (Vizier) of Iran, was assassinated in the Fin Garden bathhouse, marking one of the tragic events in the country's national history.
• 19th Century: Construction of the famous historical mansions, such as the Borujerdi House and Tabatabaei House, which became magnificent examples of Qajar-era architecture.
• 2012: Fin Garden, along with other Persian gardens, was included in the UNESCO World Heritage list, receiving international recognition.

Stages of Kashan's Development: From Antiquity to Present Day

Kashan, one of Iran's most ancient cities, has gone through several key stages over its centuries-old history, shaping its unique cultural, economic, and architectural identity. From a centre of ancient crafts to an oasis for Persian Shahs, each period has left its unique mark.

• Centre of Arts in the Seljuk Era (11th–12th Centuries): During this period, Kashan became one of the leading centres of craft production in Persia. The city became world-famous for its unique ceramics and tiles, for which a special stonepaste (fritware) resembling porcelain was developed. Carpet weaving also flourished here, laying the foundation for the centuries-old fame of Kashan carpets.
• Royal Resort of the Safavids (16th–17th Centuries): The Safavid dynasty, especially Shah Abbas I, highly valued Kashan for its pleasant climate and location. The city turned into a favourite holiday destination for rulers. The culmination of this period was the creation of the famous Fin Garden—a masterpiece of Persian landscape art, now included in the UNESCO World Heritage list.
• Destruction and Rebirth (18th–19th Centuries): In 1778, a powerful earthquake almost completely destroyed the city. However, Kashan was restored during the Qajar dynasty. This event led to large-scale reconstruction, during which the modern appearance of the historical centre was formed.
• Rise of Merchant Architecture (19th Century): The Qajar era was a time of economic boom for local merchants. Wealthy traders built luxurious mansions, which are today the city's main architectural attractions. The Borujerdi, Tabatabaei, and Abbasi houses, with their magnificent stucco, stained glass, and courtyards, serve as striking examples of the urban planning and wealth of that time.
• Industrial Development and Carpet Weaving (19th–20th Centuries): Alongside traditional crafts, manufacturing began to develop in Kashan. The city firmly established its status as the world capital of carpet weaving. Kashan carpets, distinguished by intricate patterns and high quality, became a major export item and a symbol of the city.
• Cultural and Tourism Significance (Present Day): Thanks to its rich historical heritage, unique architecture, and preserved traditions—such as the rose harvesting and rose water production festival—Kashan has transformed into one of Iran's most important tourism centres, attracting travellers from all over the world.

The architectural appearance of Kashan is a unique combination of adaptation to a harsh desert climate and the succession of artistic styles of great Persian dynasties. Each era has left its mark on the city, from the monumental structures of the Seljuks to the luxurious merchant mansions of the Qajars, creating a harmonious and cohesive urban landscape.

The Seljuk Period (11th–12th Centuries): Monumentality and Brick Decor

During the reign of the Seljuk dynasty, Kashan established itself as a centre of Islamic art. The architecture of this period is characterised by monumentality, strict geometric forms, and the virtuoso use of fired brick, which served as both a structural and decorative material. Buildings were adorned with complex brickwork, creating carpet-like patterns on facades, and bands of Kufic inscriptions.

• Jameh Mosque (Friday Mosque): Although the mosque has been rebuilt many times, its foundation and famous brick mihrab date back to the Seljuk era, demonstrating construction and decorative techniques characteristic of that time.
• Zeinoddin Minaret: Built in 1073, this minaret is one of the oldest dated monuments in Kashan and a vivid example of the Seljuk style with its characteristic brick ornamentation.

The Safavid Era (16th–18th Centuries): Royal Grandeur and Garden Art

In the times of the Safavids, especially under Shah Abbas I, Kashan became a favourite retreat for rulers. The architecture of this period strove to create harmonious and majestic ensembles. Key elements of the style included glazed tiles, particularly in blue and turquoise colours, and the thoughtful integration of buildings into the natural landscape.

• Fin Garden (Bagh-e Fin): The paragon of a Persian garden, included in the UNESCO World Heritage list, is the primary legacy of the Safavid era in Kashan. It represents the ideal combination of pavilion architecture, symmetrically arranged water channels, and lush greenery, creating an image of paradise on earth.

The Qajar Period (19th Century): Luxury of Merchant Mansions

After the devastating earthquake of 1778, the city was extensively rebuilt during the Qajar dynasty. This period was marked by the rise of the merchant class, which was reflected in the architecture. Wealthy traders built luxurious residences that are today the calling card of Kashan. The Qajar style is characterised by a blend of traditional Persian motifs with European influences.

• Historical Houses: Mansions such as the Borujerdi House, Tabatabaei House, and Abbasi House amaze with their complex layout, divided into public (biruni) and private (andaruni) sections, as well as their opulent interior decoration.
• Decorative Elements: The finishes widely utilised mirror mosaic (aine-kari), exquisite stucco moulding, coloured stained glass, and wall paintings.
• Agha Bozorg Mosque: Built during this period, the mosque is famous for its unique architectural design—its courtyard with a madrasah is located a level below the prayer hall, creating an impressive multi-level space.

Urban Planning and Climatic Features

Kashan's urban structure is inextricably linked to its location on the edge of the desert. Architecture here performs not only an aesthetic but also a vital function, ensuring survival in the hot climate.

• Windcatchers (Badgirs): These towers rising above the roofs are an ingenious engineering solution for natural ventilation. They catch the slightest breeze and direct it into living quarters and underground storerooms (sardabs), creating coolness even in intense heat.
• Covered Bazaar: The historical bazaar of Kashan is not just a trading space but the city's main artery. Its vaulted ceilings and labyrinthine alleys create shade and protect against the heat, making it a centre of social life.
• Narrow Streets and Courtyards: Traditional development with high clay walls and narrow, winding streets maximises shade, while internal courtyards with fountains and greenery serve as private oases for residents.

Prominent Figures Associated with Kashan

Kashan, one of Iran's cultural centres, has given the world numerous talented scholars, artists, and thinkers whose names are forever inscribed in history. Here are just a few of them:

• Jamshid al-Kashi (c. 1380–1429) — A distinguished Persian mathematician and astronomer. He was one of the leaders of the famous Ulugh Beg Observatory in Samarkand. Al-Kashi was the first to introduce and systematically use decimal fractions, and he calculated the number π to the 16th decimal place, which was an incredible achievement for the 15th century. His work "The Key to Arithmetic" became an essential manual on mathematics for many centuries.
• Kamal-ol-Molk (born Muhammad Ghaffari, 1847–1940) — One of the most influential Iranian artists of the 19th and 20th centuries, born in Kashan into a family with rich artistic traditions. He was a court painter under five Shahs of the Qajar dynasty and founded his own school of art, making a huge contribution to the development of realism in Iranian painting.
• Sohrab Sepehri (1928–1980) — A famous Iranian poet and modernist painter. His poetry, imbued with a love for nature and philosophical reflections, has been translated into many languages. Sepehri's paintings, which combine Western and Eastern motifs, also received international acclaim and were exhibited at prestigious biennales, including in Venice.
• Muhsin Fayz Kashani (1598–1680) — A major Shia philosopher, mystic, poet, and scholar of Hadith from the Safavid era. He was a student of the great Mulla Sadra and left behind a vast legacy—more than a hundred works in various fields of knowledge, including Quranic interpretation, jurisprudence, and ethics. His works are still studied in Islamic academic centres.
• Amir Kabir (born Mirza Taghi Khan Farahani, 1807–1852) — A distinguished Prime Minister (Vizier) of Iran at the beginning of Naser al-Din Shah's reign. Although he was not born in Kashan, his fate is tragically linked to this city: it was here, in the Fin Garden, that he was exiled and killed by the Shah's order. Amir Kabir is considered the first Iranian reformer who laid the foundations for the country's modernisation, founding the first secular higher education institution, Dar ul-Fonun, and implementing reforms in the army and state administration.
• Ustad Ali Maryam Kashani (dates unknown, 19th century) — A brilliant Iranian architect whose name is associated with the creation of Kashan's most famous historical mansions. He is the author of masterpieces such as the Borujerdi House and the Tabatabaei House, which are considered the pinnacle of residential architecture of the Qajar era. His works demonstrate unique mastery in spatial planning and the use of decorative elements.