Lar history

Foundation and First Mentions

The ancient city of Lar, located in the south of Fars Province, boasts a rich history rooted in the pre-Islamic era. Legends attribute its foundation to the mythological hero Lad, son of Goudarz, mentioned in the epic "Shahnameh". Historical evidence confirms that the settlement existed and flourished long before the Common Era, serving as an important centre of Persian civilization.

Key Factors of Development

The city's development was defined by several crucial circumstances that transformed it into a significant regional hub:

• Geographical Location: The city was situated at the crossroads of trade routes leading to the Gulf, making it a vital transit point for caravans in Iran.
• Climate Adaptation: Due to the arid climate, residents mastered complex water harvesting and storage technologies early on, enabling life and agriculture in challenging conditions.
• Political Status: For centuries, the city served as the capital of the historical region of Larestan, maintaining a degree of autonomy and the influence of local rulers.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

One of the most striking pages in the city's economic history was the emergence of its own currency. The famous silver "Lari" coin, which had the unusual shape of a bent wire or hairpin, was widely used in trade across the Indian Ocean coast during the 16th and 17th centuries. This testifies to the high level of trust in local merchants and the economic power of the region.

Culturally and architecturally, the city was distinguished by a unique approach to urban planning. Due to frequent earthquakes, high-rise buildings were not constructed here, and residential houses featured extensive basements. The hallmark of the old city became the numerous domed water reservoirs (ab-anbars), which continue to shape its recognizable appearance today.

Major Historical Milestones

• 1601: The troops of Shah Abbas I conquer Lar, ending the centuries-old rule of the local independent dynasty and annexing the region to the Safavid empire.
• 17th Century: The period of peak trade prosperity, when the silver "Lari" coin minted in the city becomes a recognised currency along the coasts of the Indian Ocean.
• 1760s: The city strengthens its position as a vital transit hub on the caravan route to the Gulf during the reign of the Zand dynasty.
• 1909: The local population, led by spiritual leaders, actively participates in the Constitutional Revolution that swept through Iran.
• 24 April 1960: A devastating earthquake almost completely destroys the historical part of the city, marking a turning point in its destiny.
• 1960s: Construction begins on the "New City" (Shahr-e-Jadid) south of the ruins, designed according to European standards with wide streets and low-rise buildings.
• 1983: Opening of the international airport, which connected the region with direct flights to the Gulf countries and stimulated economic development.
• Modern Stage: The city develops as an administrative and educational centre of southern Fars, preserving the unique water reservoirs in the old part as heritage sites.

Stages of Formation and Transformation

The history of the city of Lar is an example of unique adaptation to harsh natural conditions and the skillful use of geographical location. Key events of the past have shaped not only its architectural appearance but also the economic model that operates to this day.

• Era of Currency Hegemony (16th–17th centuries): The city became a major financial centre thanks to the minting of its own silver coin — the "Lari". Its unusual shape and high metal quality made the currency the primary means of settlement in the ports of the Gulf and the Indian Ocean, ensuring economic prosperity and international fame for the region.
• Integration and Political Stability (1601): Annexation to the Safavid Empire put an end to feudal fragmentation. Joining the unified state of Iran opened safe trade corridors to the north, turning the city into a key transit point between the coast and the central provinces.
• Formation of Hydro-technical Culture: Due to the absence of permanent rivers, urban planning developed around a water collection system. The construction of hundreds of domed reservoirs (ab-anbars) became not just an engineering solution but a cultural code of the city, defining its architectural silhouette for centuries to come.
• Urban Planning Revolution (1960): After the destructive earthquake, an unprecedented decision was made not to restore the old quarters but to build a "New City" (Shahr-e-Jadid) at a safe distance. This led to a unique separation: the historical part remained an open-air museum, while the new development became a benchmark for earthquake-resistant planning with wide streets and low building heights.
• Opening of International Air Travel (1983): The construction of the airport became the most important economic driver of recent times. Direct flights to the Gulf countries reoriented the economy towards the export of labour and commerce, making the city one of the wealthiest and most cosmopolitan in the south of the country.

Architectural Duality: From Antiquity to Modernism

The urban structure of Lar is unique in its clear division into two parts, each representing a distinct architectural era. The catastrophic earthquake of 1960 drew a line between the past and the future, creating a rare phenomenon: the ancient "Old City" and the "New City," designed from scratch, exist side by side.

Historical Construction: Traditional Persian Style

The Old City (Shahr-e-Ghadim) retains features of medieval oriental architecture. Here, architecture has adapted to the hot climate for centuries, forming dense developments with narrow winding streets to create shade.

• Qaisariyeh Bazaar: A masterpiece of the pre-Safavid era and a key attraction. This covered market with a cruciform layout, massive stone vaults, and a central dome is considered the architectural prototype for the famous bazaars of Isfahan and Shiraz. The building's style is distinguished by monumentality and ascetic decoration.
• Domed Reservoirs (Ab-anbars): The silhouette of the old city is formed by hundreds of domes of water cisterns. These structures are a prime example of vernacular (folk) architecture, where form is dictated by the function of preserving water and protecting it from overheating.

Modern Stage: Functionalism and Rationalism

The New City (Shahr-e-Jadid) is the embodiment of modernism and rigorous engineering calculation of the second half of the 20th century. During its creation, principles of earthquake-resistant urban planning were applied on a mass scale in Iran for the first time.

• Regular Layout: Unlike the chaotic development of the old quarters, the new district features a clear rectangular grid of wide streets and avenues. This is intentional: the width of the roads exceeds the height of the buildings so that in the event of destruction, debris would not block passage.
• "Garden City": The development consists primarily of low-rise detached houses (bungalows and villas). The rejection of high-rise apartment blocks and dense adjacency of buildings formed a spacious, safe, and green urban environment, atypical for traditional Persian cities.

Famous Natives and Figures

The city of Lar and the Larestan region have given the world a galaxy of talented people: from medieval scholars to masters of 20th-century art. Their legacy helps to better understand the cultural depth of this land in the south of the country.

• Kamal al-Din Husayn Lari (16th Century) — An outstanding polymath, astronomer, and mathematician of the Safavid era. As a student of the great thinkers of his time, he wrote numerous treatises on logic, philosophy, and exact sciences. His works were studied in educational centres of Persia and India, cementing the city's reputation as a centre of learning.
• Mohammad Baqer Sohbat Lari (18th Century) — A famous poet whose work holds a special place in the hearts of locals. He wrote poems not only in classical Persian but also in the local "Lari" dialect. Thanks to his works, unique linguistic features of the region have been preserved, and his collection of poetry (Diwan) is considered a gem of local literature.
• Seyyed Abdul-Hussein Lari (1847–1924) — A major religious and social figure who played a key role in the history of southern Iran. He was an active participant in the Constitutional Revolution, advocating for social justice and the protection of the population's rights. His influence was so great that for a certain period, he effectively governed the region, ensuring order and legality.
• Valiollah Khakdan (1923–1996) — A renowned production designer and decorator born in Lar. He is called a pioneer of scenic design in Iranian cinema and theatre. Khakdan created sets for numerous iconic films and plays, setting high standards of artistic design that are used in the industry to this day.
• Seyyed Mojtaba Musavi Lari (1935–2013) — A well-known contemporary theologian and writer. He dedicated his life to educational activities, writing a series of books on the fundamentals of ethics and ideology, which have been translated into many languages worldwide. His works contributed to cultural exchange and introduced Western audiences to the philosophy of the East.