Attractions


The second largest holy city in the world, Mashhad attracts more than 20 million tourists and pilgrims every single year, many of whom come to pay homage to the tomb of Imam Reza. It has been a magnet for travellers since medieval times, when the famous world traveller Abu Abdullah Muhammad Ibn Battuta visited the town.
The magnificent holy shrine of Imam Reza [1*] and the historical and artistic complex attached to it including the courtyards, porticos and porches, the Goharshad Mosque (of Timurid period) as well as its rich museum and library are the most significant sights to be seen by any visitor and pilgrim.
Apart from a number of beautiful large parks and the tombs of historical celebrities in nearby Tus and Neyshabour, the tomb of Nadir Shah and Kooh Sangi park and mellat park that have modern attractions for children such as the 3rd biggest Ferris wheel or fanfar (چرخ و فلک) in the world and Koohestan park e shadi complex that includes a zoo, where many wild animals are kept and which attracts many visitors to Mashhad. It is also home to the Mashhad Airbase (formerly Imam Reza airbase), jointly a military installation housing Mirage aircraft, and a civilian international airport.
Some points of interest lie outside the city: the tomb of Khajeh Morad, along the road to Tehran; the tomb of Khajeh Rabi' located 6 kilometers north of the city where there are some inscriptions by the renowned Safavid calligrapher Reza Abbasi; and the tomb of Khajeh Abasalt, a distance of 20 kilometers from Mashhad along the road to Neishabur. (The three were all disciples of Imam Reza).
Among the other sights are the tomb of the great poet Ferdowsi in Tus, 24 kilometers distance, and the summer resorts at Torghabeh, Torogh, Akhlamad, Zoshk, and Shandiz.
The Shah Public Bath, built during the Safavid era in 1648, is an outstanding example of the architecture of that period. It was recently restored, and is to be turned into a museum.

BASTS (Places of Refuge)
Basts were places of refuge from the tyranny of dictators and provided the best refuge for the people under persecution. In Astane-Qods-Razavi there exist two large yards on each side of Sahne Enqelab (Revolution Court) namely Baste Payeen Khiaban (Lower Bast) and Baste Bala Khiaban (Upper Bast). Today Basts are used as two entrances to Imam Al-Ridha's Holy Shrine. In recent years two new Basts have been built namely Baste Sheikh Bahai (between Gowharshad Mosque and Sahne Jamburi Islami) and Baste Tabarsi (between the Islamic University and the new building of Astane-Qods Library).

Other attractions:

o Sahne Enqelab
o Minarets
o Nqqareh Khaneh (Place of Kettle Drums)
o Saqqa Khaneh (Public Drinking Place)
o Sa'at (the Clock)
o Sahne Jamhuri Islami (Islamic Republic Court)
o Sahn Qods
o Sahne Imam Khomeini
o Sahne Azadi
o Gowharshad Mosque
o Imam Ridha [a]'s Tomb
o Dar-al Hoffaz (the place of the Reciters)
o Towhid Khaneh (place of Divine Unity)
o Dar-al-Siyadah
o Bala-Sar Mosque
o Dar-al Rahmah Porch
o Allahverdikhan Dome
o Hatam Khani Dome
o The Golden Dome