Travel to Iran

Day 6 Yazd - Zein-o-Din - Kerman

On our second day in Yazd we start visiting the Alexander´s prison, which was neither built by Alexander the Great (although the reference is believed to have come from Hafez’s poetry) nor a prison, but a 15th-century domed school which is quite an interesting sight with a cafe in the "prison room". Often guides tell you the deep well in the middle of its courtyard was built by Alexander the Great and was used as a dungeon, but this seems doubtful. Next to the Alexander's prison we find several shops of handicraft, carpets or scarfs, a good place to do some shopping.

We go to the outskirts of the city to visit the Towers of silence (Zoroastrian´s Dakhmeh) - the name tower is misleading as they consist of huge circular walls on top of two hills, within those the dead were left to be picked clean by the vultures. This is done in accordance with Zoroastrian belief. However, the towers are not in use anymore and open to the public. A quiet, serene place. The modern Zoroastrian cemetery is just there as well. It is advisable to visit this place the last (or first) in Yazd since it is located near the highway and therefore it is recommended, to take advantage of the trip, visit it when entering or leaving the city.

(in 76 km.) Zein-o-Din Caravanserai: This caravanserai dates to the 16th century and is situated on the ancient Silk Road. It is one of 999 such inns that were built during the reign of Shah Abbas I to provide facilities to travelers. In earlier centuries, it was reached after a two-day camel ride from south of Yazd, about 60 kilometres on the main road to Kerman.Of these, Zein-o-din is one of two caravanserais built with circular towers. After its refurbishment, it has operated as an inn. A similarly built caravanserai near Esfahan is in ruins. To visit this caravanserai you must pay a little fee, that includes the entrance to the building and a tea.

(in 295 km.) Kerman: We arrived to Hezar hotel, a new national hotel, we left our baggage and went to the city center to have dinner in Keykhosro House.