In Mashhad, an ancient city on the Silk Road, you can find a variety of things to do! The city annually hosts a lot of Shia pilgrimage flock into the shrine of the eighth Imam, Imam Reza (S). In fact, the city means ‘Place of martyrdom’.
There are several attractions and landmarks you can do in Mashhad. It has a lot of museum, bazaars, and beautiful nature.
If you are interested in Persian literature. Tombs of two renowned Persian poets Khayyam, Attar, and Ferdowsi are near Mashhad so you can enjoy visiting their fabulous architecture of their tombs.
Shrine of Imam Reza (S) Complex
First of all, the city is renowned for the shrine of Imam Reza (S). In fact, the shrine is in the center of Mashhad. It is 600,000 square meters and has seven courtyards.
Actually, the magnificent tile works, calligraphy ornament, porches, and minarets adorn the shrine.
Although only Muslims can visit the inner sanctuary, everybody can enjoy its architecture. The shrine with its golden dome in the center attracts everybody who visit Mashhad.
Things to do in Mashhad, museums
Astan-e Qods Museum
The museum is in the shrine complex. It houses stamps, medals dedicated by Iranian athletes, and carpets. You can also visit the previous zarih (an ornate, lattice structure that encloses the grave in the shrine) at the museum. It was replaced in 2001.
Great Museum of Khorasan
One of the things you must do in Mashhad is visiting the Great Museum of Khorasan.
The building of the museum is in fact like Khorshid Palace, which is Kalat near Mashhad.
The museum hosts special earthware, metalwork, some artifacts from the Sassanid dynasty, and several other things.
Some exquisite versions of Shahnameh (Book of King) written by Ferdowsi as well as manuscripts of the Quran are also kept at the museum.
Things to do in Mashhad, Places to visit
Mashhad Miniature Park
It is a theme park you can visit in Mashhad. There you can find several models of renowned landmarks in Iran. In fact, the models of Kandovan village near Tabriz, Khajoo Bridge in Isfahan, and Arg-e Bam near Kerman are on display at the museum. In the park, you can visit several attractions in Iran.
Nader Shah Afshar Mausoleum
You can pay visit to the mausoleum of Nader Shah (1688-1747) while traveling Mashhad. It is in the downtown of the city. There is also a museum, which features documents, artifacts, and military asset. The Iranian architect Houshang Seyhoun built the mausoleum during the Persian calendar year 1342 (1963-1964).
Read also: Best Hotels in Mashhad 2021
Things to do in Mashhad, the tombs of renowned poets
Tomb of Ferdowsi
The Persian poet Ferdowsi (940-1020) is the author of magnum opus ‘Shahnameh’ (Book of the Kings). His tomb in 20 kilometers north of Mashhad in a beautiful garden.
His tomb is an inspiration of Achaemenid architecture and was built in the 1930s. In fact, Ferdowsi was one of the most influential figures in Persian literature and one of the greatest in the history of world literature.
Omar Khayyam Mausoleum
A modern monument in the city of Nishapur is the mausoleum of Omar Khayyam (1048-1131).
In 1934, renowned architect Houshang Seyhoun reconstructed the mausoleum.
Located in a beautiful garden, it is a great place to tranquil.
He was a great poem, philosopher, mathematician, and philosopher.
He was widely known in English by a translation of Edward Fitzgerald.
Mausoleum of Attar Nishaburi
It is near the Khayyam mausoleum in Nishapur. The mausoleum of Attar Nishaburi (1145-1221) has four entrances. He was a Persian poet, theoretician of sufism, and hagiographer from Nishapur who had an immense and lasting influence on Persian poetry and sufism.
You can also pay a visit to the grave or prominent Persian painter Kamal-ol-Molk (1848-1940) in the garden around the mausoleum.
Things to do near Mashhad
Windmills of Nashtifan
Windmills, known as Asbads, in Persian in Nashtifan in Khorasan Razavi Province is one of the oldest ones in the world. They were established sometime between 500 to 900 CE.
This magnificent structure in the heart of the desert convert window into other energies. So, it grinds grains. In this way, people befriended nature for centuries.
These ancient windmills worked with windows up to 74 miles an hour. In fact, the windmills are made from kahgel (clay and straw), and wood. Besides, they are up to 20 meters and have a room in which, the grains are pressed and turned into the floor.
Mashhad natural beauties
Torghabeh and Shandiz County near Mashhad are natural beauties of the region. Torghabeh is a summer resort with a river that flows through the village, with beautiful three orchards. Shandiz is a beautiful village with green trees. Shandiz is famous for its kebabs. It is a great resort with pleasant weather and a great atmosphere.
Read also: Best Hotels in Mashhad 2021
