Yazd history

Yazd is one of the most ancient cities in the world, with a history spanning several millennia. The first mentions of a settlement at this location, known as Isatis, date back to the 3rd millennium BC, during the time of the Median Empire. According to one theory, the city received its current name in honour of the Sassanian ruler Yazdegerd I. Located in an oasis between the Dasht-e Kavir and Dasht-e Lut deserts, Yazd served as a vital stopover for caravans for centuries. The famous traveller Marco Polo, who visited the city in 1272, described it as a flourishing centre of trade and silk production.

The rise of Yazd is inextricably linked to its unique geographical position. Its distance from the main routes of conquerors allowed the city to avoid the large-scale destruction that befell many other Persian cities, for example, during the invasion of Genghis Khan. This contributed to Yazd becoming a sanctuary for scholars, architects, artists, and poets. Life in the harsh desert climate forced the local inhabitants to demonstrate remarkable ingenuity, creating unique architectural solutions: a system of underground water channels (qanats) to supply the city with water and the famous badgirs ("windcatchers") — towers for natural ventilation and cooling of buildings.

Since ancient times, Yazd has been and remains one of the key centres of Zoroastrianism — an ancient Iranian religion. Even after the spread of Islam, the city retained a large Zoroastrian community and its shrines, including the Fire Temple, where, according to tradition, the flame has been kept burning since 470 AD. The city's economy has historically relied on trade and crafts. Yazd was a crucial hub on the Great Silk Road, famous throughout the world for its exquisite fabrics, silk, and carpets, which were exported to India and Central Asia. This rich history and cultural heritage allowed the historic part of the city to be included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Key Milestones in the History of Yazd

The history of Yazd represents millennia of development in the heart of the Iranian desert. The city has survived numerous eras while preserving its unique culture and architecture.

• 3rd millennium BC — Appearance of the first settlements on the site of modern Yazd, known as Isatis during the time of the Median Empire.
• 5th century AD (approx. 470) — Lighting of the sacred fire in the Zoroastrian temple, which is said to be burning to this day, making Yazd one of the most important spiritual centres of Zoroastrianism.
• 7th century — Arrival of Islam in the region following the Arab conquest of Persia; the Zoroastrian community of Yazd was able to preserve its faith by paying a tax.
• 13th century — During the Mongol invasion, the city becomes a refuge for scholars, poets, and artists, avoiding destruction thanks to its remote location.
• 1272 — The famous Venetian merchant and traveller Marco Polo visits Yazd and describes it as a thriving trading city known for the production of silk fabrics.
• 14th century (1319) — The city comes under the rule of the Muzaffarid dynasty and becomes their capital for a time.
• 14th–15th centuries — Yazd experiences an economic boom as a vital hub on the Great Silk Road, actively trading textiles and carpets with India and Central Asia.
• 16th–18th centuries (Safavid era) — The city continues to develop, perfecting its unique architecture, including the construction of badgirs (windcatchers) and qanats (underground water channels).
• 18th–19th centuries (Qajar dynasty) — The city is governed by the Bakhtiari Khans; the development of crafts and trade continues.
• 2017 — The historic city of Yazd is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, confirming its outstanding cultural and architectural value.

Economic, Cultural, and Urban Transformations of Yazd

The development of Yazd is a unique story of adaptation and prosperity in harsh desert conditions. Over millennia, the city has transformed, becoming an important centre of trade, culture, and engineering thought. Below are the key milestones that defined its appearance and significance.

• Creation of the qanat system (Antiquity). The development and refinement of qanats — underground water channels — was a major urban planning achievement. This complex irrigation system ensured the city was supplied with water from distant mountain sources, making not only survival but also the growth of the settlement possible in the arid desert.
• Becoming a centre of Zoroastrianism (from the 5th century). Yazd became and remains one of the main spiritual centres of Zoroastrianism. The preservation of the ancient faith after the arrival of Islam formed the city's unique cultural identity. The presence of shrines such as the Atashkadeh Fire Temple, where the flame has been maintained since the 5th century, underscores its exceptional religious significance.
• Flourishing on the Great Silk Road (13th–15th centuries). Thanks to its location, Yazd became a thriving trade hub. Marco Polo, who visited the city in 1272, noted the high quality of the local silk. The city's economy prospered through the production and export of textiles, carpets, and silk fabrics known as "Yazdi" to India and Central Asia.
• "Golden Age" of Architecture (Safavid era, 16th–18th centuries). During this period, the famous badgirs — "windcatchers" — were perfected and became widespread. These towers, which became the city's trademark, provided natural cooling for buildings and demonstrated the outstanding engineering knowledge of local architects.
• Cultural rise during the Mongol invasion (13th century). Distance from the main routes of conquerors allowed Yazd to avoid the destruction that befell many Persian cities. It became a sanctuary for scholars, artists, and poets, which contributed to a significant cultural and intellectual rise.
• Development of the textile industry (18th–19th centuries). In the Qajar era, Yazd strengthened its status as a centre of textile production. The city became famous for its luxurious handmade fabrics, especially termeh — a patterned brocade that remains one of the region's main artisanal treasures today.
• Inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List (2017). The recognition of the historic part of Yazd as a World Heritage Site became a major modern milestone. This status attracted international attention, stimulated tourism development, and gave impetus to the preservation of the city's unique adobe architectural ensemble.

The architecture of Yazd is not just a collection of buildings, but a true marvel of engineering born in harsh desert conditions. The entire historic centre of the city, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, represents a unified ensemble of adobe houses, narrow streets, and ingenious devices for survival. Instead of building isolated monuments, the architects of Yazd spent centuries creating a harmonious and functional urban environment where every element serves a common goal — comfort and protection from the heat.

City of Windcatchers and Underground Rivers. The badgirs — graceful windcatcher towers crowning the roofs of houses — are rightfully considered the trademark of Yazd. These ancient air conditioners catch the slightest breeze and direct it inside the buildings, creating saving coolness. The world's tallest adobe badgir, standing nearly 34 metres high, can be seen in the Dowlat Abad Garden. No less important for the city are the qanats — a complex system of underground water channels that deliver water from distant sources. It is this invisible network of "rivers" that allowed the oasis to flourish in the middle of the desert.

Iconic Structures of Yazd. Amidst the labyrinth of clay streets rise true gems of Persian architecture. The Jameh Mosque (Friday Mosque) captures the imagination with its majestic entrance portal, completely covered in azure tiles, and the two tallest minarets in Iran. Another symbol of the city is the Amir Chakhmaq Complex, built in the 15th century. Its symmetrical three-tiered facade with numerous arches has become one of the most recognisable views of Yazd, especially beautiful in the rays of the setting sun.

Zoroastrian Heritage. As a centuries-old centre of the Zoroastrian faith, Yazd has preserved unique monuments of this ancient religion. The modern building of the Atashkadeh Fire Temple, constructed in 1934, houses an unquenchable flame which, according to tradition, has been burning since the 5th century AD. Its architecture, referencing the Achaemenid style, together with the mysterious "Towers of Silence" on the outskirts of the city, adds a special mystical charm to Yazd's architectural appearance.

Notable Figures Associated with Yazd

Over the centuries, the land of Yazd has given birth to talented scholars, poets, politicians, and artists. Here are some of them:

• Sharaf al-Din Ali Yazdi (died 1454) — historian and scholar. A court chronicler at the Timurid court, author of the famous work "Zafarnama" ("Book of Victory"), which is one of the most important sources on the history of the life and campaigns of Tamerlane.
• Vahshi Bafqi (1532–1583) — poet. One of the most famous Persian lyric poets of the Safavid era. His ghazals and the poem "Farhad and Shirin" are considered classics of Persian literature. Although he was born in Bafq (Yazd province), he spent most of his life in Yazd, and his work is inextricably linked to the cultural heritage of the entire region.
• Mirza Mohammad Farrokhi Yazdi (1889–1939) — poet, journalist, and politician. A prominent figure in the constitutional movement in Iran in the early 20th century. He was known for his bold poetry and journalism, in which he advocated for freedom and democratic reforms.
• Mehdi Azar Yazdi (1922–2009) — writer. Considered the "father of children's literature in Iran". His most famous work is the book series "Good Stories for Good Children", in which he retold classic works of Persian literature in simple language accessible to children. This book series received a UNESCO award.
• Moshe Katsav (born 1945) — politician and statesman. Born in Yazd to a family of Iranian Jews who later emigrated. He served as the eighth President of the State of Israel from 2000 to 2007.