Tag: Iran

The Shah-i-Zinda (Шоҳи Зинда) is a breathtakingly beautiful and deeply sacred necropolis in the northeastern part of Samarkand, Uzbekistan. Its name, meaning “The Living King” in Persian, refers to its…

Chor Minor (Чор Минор), meaning “Four Minarets” in Persian, is one of the most charming, unusual, and beloved architectural monuments in Bukhara, Uzbekistan. Built in 1807, this small, picturesque structure…

The Poi Kalyan (Пои Калон), or “Foot of the Great,” is the majestic and historical heart of the holy city of Bukhara, Uzbekistan. This magnificent architectural ensemble is dominated by…

The Gur-e-Amir (Гўри Амир) is the magnificent mausoleum of the great 14th-century conqueror Timur (also known as Tamerlane) in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. Its name translates from Persian to “Tomb of the…

The Registan is the magnificent and historic heart of the ancient city of Samarkand, Uzbekistan. Its name translates from Persian to “Sandy Place,” a reference to the stream that once…

Kokhi Navruz (Кохи Наврӯз, or Navruz Palace) is a magnificent and opulent cultural and entertainment center in Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan. While its name translates to “Palace of Navruz”…

The Mausoleum of Khoja Mashhad is one of the most remarkable and historically significant architectural monuments in Tajikistan, and indeed in all of Central Asia. Located in the southern Khatlon…

The Hissar (or Hisor) Fortress is one of the most significant and well-known historical monuments in Tajikistan. Located in the fertile Hissar Valley, this ancient site has been a strategic…

The Ancient City of Salamis, located on the east coast of Cyprus, was once the island’s most important and magnificent city-kingdom. With a history stretching back to the 11th century…

The Church of the Nativity, located in the heart of Bethlehem, is one of the oldest and most sacred sites in Christianity. It is built over the cave, or grotto,…

Katara Cultural Village, often referred to simply as Katara, is a purpose-built development in Doha, Qatar, dedicated to celebrating and promoting global arts and heritage. Opened in 2010, its name…

Souq Waqif (Arabic: سوق واقف, “the standing market”) is the historical and cultural heart of Doha, Qatar. A vibrant marketplace that feels like an anachronism against the city’s futuristic skyline,…

The Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) in Doha is one of the world’s leading institutions dedicated to the art of the Islamic world. Housed in an architectural masterpiece, it sits…

Saint Stepanos Monastery (Armenian: Սուրբ Ստեփանոս վանք, Surb Stepanos Vank; Persian: کلیسای سن استپانوس, Kelisā-ye San Estepānus), also known as Maghardavank, is a significant Armenian monastery located in northwestern Iran….

Van Citadel (Turkish: Van Kalesi; Armenian: Վանի Բերդ, Vani Berd), also known as Van Fortress, is a massive stone fortification built by the ancient Kingdom of Urartu between the 9th…

Etchmiadzin Cathedral (Armenian: Էջմիածնի Մայր Տաճար, Ēǰmiaçni mayr tač̣ar), also known as the Mother Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin, is the pre-eminent spiritual and administrative center of the Armenian Apostolic Church….

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is a magnificent and iconic mosque located in Abu Dhabi, the capital city of the United Arab Emirates. It is the country’s largest mosque and…

Palm Jumeirah is an iconic artificial archipelago off the coast of Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Shaped like a colossal palm tree, it’s a testament to human ingenuity and a global…

The Bahrain World Trade Center (BWTC) is a striking twin-tower skyscraper complex located in Manama, Bahrain. Completed in 2008, it’s globally recognized as the first skyscraper in the world to…

Bahrain Fort, officially known as Qal’at al-Bahrain (Arabic: قلعة البحرين; Portuguese: Forte de Barém), is one of Bahrain’s most significant historical treasures and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Located on…

Al Mutlaa Ridge, often referred to simply as Mutla Ridge, is the most prominent hill in Kuwait. Located in the Jahra Governorate, it offers sweeping panoramic views of the surrounding…

The Arabian Desert is a monumental wilderness stretching across much of the Arabian Peninsula. It is a land of dramatic contrasts, from towering sand dunes to rugged mountains, and a…

Failaka Island is a unique island in Kuwait, blending ancient history with recreational opportunities. Located in the northern Persian Gulf, about 20 kilometers (12 miles) off the coast of Kuwait…

Green Island is a unique artificial island located off the coast of Kuwait City’s promenade, designed as a premier recreational and tourist attraction. Opened in 1988, it holds the distinction…

The Scientific Center of Kuwait (TSCK), inaugurated in 2000, is a prominent educational and cultural facility located in Salmiya, Kuwait. It serves as a vital center for environmental education in…

The Grand Mosque of Kuwait (Al-Masjid Al-Kabir) is the largest and official mosque in Kuwait City. Completed in 1986, it stands as a majestic testament to Islamic faith and a…

Al Mubarakiya Souq is a historic and vibrant traditional market located in the heart of Kuwait City. As one of the oldest souqs in Kuwait, it served as a central…

The Kuwait Towers are a distinctive group of three slender towers located on a promontory jutting into the Persian Gulf in Kuwait City. Inaugurated in 1977, these towers quickly became…

The Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque is a magnificent contemporary Islamic architectural marvel located in Muscat, the capital city of Oman. Commissioned by Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said, it was…

Mount Nemrut (also known as Nemrud Dağı) is a 2,134-meter-high (7,001 ft) mountain in southeastern Turkey, famous for its summit adorned with colossal stone statues. These statues are part of…