Naein
Nain is a city in Isfahan province with a population of around 27,000. The city is located 140 km east of Isfahan and is around 1550 m above sea level. The area has a desert climate and thereby it has been the place of aqueducts. Nain is famous for its historical monuments and also handicrafts. Many local people speak an ancient Pahlavi Sasani dialect, the same dialect that is spoken by the Zoroastrians in Yazd today.
The tourist attractions of Nain are:
Cloak Weaving
Cloak Weaving (Aba-Bafi) workshops in Nain is an old profession in the city. There are old workshops in the city that are working for a long time still using the old apparatus and buildings. The cloaks are made of camel wool and have red and brown colors. They are good souvenirs for the travelers.
Clock Weaving
Jame Mosque
Jame Mosque of Nain which is still in use is one of the oldest in Iran dating back to the 9th century CE and the good point about it is that the mosque has preserved its original architecture. The mosque benefits from a beautiful stucco work decoration made during the 9th or 10th century. It has also an altar with delicate wooden inlay work. The minaret of the mosque is 28 meter high constructed during the Seljuk era (the 11th century).
Rigareh Water Mill
Rigareh Water Mill which dates back to the pre-Islamic era uses the water flow of an aqueduct. As the water flows underground, the mill is placed almost 28 m beneath the ground. There is a tank 8 m above the mill which takes the water from another channel of aqueduct. When the tank is filled, its pressure is used to rotate the wheels of mill. To reach the mill, the visitor needs to pass a 133 m corridor.
The Castle of Naryn
Naryn castle also known as Narenj Qale is a style of architecture from the pre-Islamic era. The monument might belong to the Partiyan or Sassanian period. Unfortunately, there are mostly remained just ruins of the castle.
Mohammadieh Fortress of Nain
Mohammadieh Fortress which is also called Ashoorgah Fortress is located on the top of a mount in Nain. It is visible from all parts of Mohammadieh Neighborhood. This fortress which dates back to pre-Islamic period is made of stone and contains 6 towers. The wall around the fortress is made of adobe. It probably is a structure of Zoroastrians. The fortress presents a good view from outside and thereby so interesting for the travelers.
Mohammadieh Fortress
Pirnia Traditional House and Ethnology Museum
The Pirnia traditional house is a desert house and was constructed in the Safavid Period. There is an octagonal room called “hashti” that was used as a waiting room for the visitors. The living room contains a beautiful painting, amazing plaster-work and exquisite calligraphy decorate. There are painted plaster decoration and murals inside the house. There is also an ethnographic museum established inside the house. The house contains a garden, a silo room, an exterior and an interior.
Mosallah Edifice
The Mosallah with its vast garden is another remarkable monument to see in Nain. There is a water reservoir in the garden which was in use until recently that could be cooled by two wind towers. Nain’s Mosallah has an architectural style of the Qajar dynasty. The Mosallah is encompassed by a fort of Qajar-era with a high thick wall.
Mosallah Edifice