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Yazd is a city and the center of the Yazd province situated in the center of Iran, 671 KM south of Tehran. Iran's one of the tallest mountains Shir-kuh (4055 M) is located in this province. The whole population of Yazd is around 720,000 (Yazd city 290,000). Yazd was originally an oasis situated at the corner of the Iran's central desert Dasht-e-Kavir. Yazd is called "Pearl of The Desert" because of its beauty.

Because of low humidity and clear sky, Yazd was considered as a center of astronomical activities and Seyyed-roknoddin's astronomical observatory built in the 14th century is located in Yazd.

Before Arab invasion, the main religion of Persians was Zoroastrianism. Yazd hosts the remains of the Zoroastrians and some of the Zoroastrian shrines are located in this city and a small village called Mobarakeh near Yazd. The holy fire, there is lit for more than 1600 years.

for more info refer to: http://www.itto.org/province/province.asp?prv=yzd&detail=1 - http://www.itto.org/province/province.asp?prv=yzd&detail =1

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Yazd, the city of Wind Towers.

The townscape of Yazd. Badgirs as far as the eye can see.

Badgirs function as an air-condition.

It works even the same way.

Depending on the direction of the wind,

one of the four sides of the Badgir will be opened, to catch the lightest breeze.

Then the wind will be directed  to the underground,

where it will be cooled over a pool of water.

Zoroastrian Water Reservoir

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An alley in the old town of Yazd.    
Though Yazd is extremely hot in  the summer,because of its loam,
the climate in the allies is comparative cool.
Eskandar Prison
An old Iranian door. Men used the right doorknocker and women the left.
The house owner were able to distinguish from the doorknocker sound,  whether a woman or a man is knocking, which was very important in older times.

An alley in the Bazar of Yazd.

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A renovated old house.

This one is used as a hotel.

The yard is used as a combination of teahouse and restaurant.

You may also use the upper floor's balcony,

for a tea and a water pipe

Another old house, which is being renovated.

The ceiling of one of the rooms.

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& city of very important Jewish person:
Moshe Katsav, President of Israel was born in Yazd.

& city of another President:
Mohammad Khatami, last President of Iran was born in Yazd.

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about Zartosht:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zoroastrians - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zoroastrians

History of Yazd

Yazd is an old and historical place and is located in the middle of Fars, Isfahan, Kerman and Khorasan provinces, making it an important crossroad during the ages. Arduous roads and shortage of water sources, among other reasons, have been a hindrance for conquering Yazd by various armies and invaders throughout history.

The city is known to date back to the 3rd millennium BC. It was anciently known as Ysatis.
The city of Yazd’s first mention in historic records predate it back to around 3000 years BC when it was related to by the name of Ysatis, and was then part of the domain of Medes, an ancient settler of Iran. In the course of history due to its distance from important capitals and its harsh natural surrounding, Yazd remained immune to major troops' movements and destruction from wars, therefore it kept many of its traditions, city forms and architecture until recent times. During the invasion of Genghis Khan in the early 1200’s AD Yazd became a safe haven and home for many artists, intellectuals and scientists fleeing their war ravaged cities around Persia.
Accoriding to  (An agency of the United Nations that promotes education and communication and the arts) UNESCO, Yazd is the second largest city in the  (People in general; especially a distinctive group of people with some shared interest) world constructed using  (Sun-dried brick; used in hot dry climates) adobe. Yazd was settled on an  (A fertile tract in a desert (where the water table approaches the surface)) oasis on a sandy plain.

The old part of the town is ringed by a tall mud-brick wall dating back to the 5th century.

 (Venetian traveler who explored Asia in the 13th century and served Kublai Khan (1254-1324)) Marco Polo wrote an acount of visiting the city in 1272.He titles the city: “the noble city of Yazd”
For a brief period, Yazd was the capital of Atabakan and Mozaffarid dynasties (14th Century AD). During Qajar dynasty (18th Century AD) it was ruled by the Bakhtiari Khans.

The City and province of Yazd hold many wonders of historic and architectural significance. A Zoroastrian Fire Temple in Yazd holds a traditional fire which has been kept alight by Zoroastrian priests, continuously for over 1100 years. The Fort of Naren is Iran’s largest mud brick structure predating Islam. Caravansaries, Islamic architecture including the Jamea Mosque and many other works and art forms go back over 1000 years. Yazd’s wind-towers, which act as natural cooling systems for homes and public structures, remain a marvel of world architectural design and innovation. In addition, the city sat on the path of the ancient Silk Road and was the lodging and visiting spot for many travelers and merchants.
Yazd was long a center of  (Follower of Zoroaster and Zoroastrianism) Zoroastrian culture, though today many Zoroastrians have moved to the capital  (The capital and largest city of Iran; located in northern Iran) Tehran or abroad. The Zoroastrians have their own language called  (An Iranian language spoken in Afghanistan) Dari. The fire of the main Zoroastrian temple in Yazd has been burning for over a millennium.

Beautiful pics. I particularly like the building with the zoraster detail on top.

Yazd! The City of 'Badgirs' and Zoroasters

           

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Yazd! The City of 'Badgirs' and Zoroasters

The cypress tree at Abarqu is believed to be 4500 years old. Abarqu is 170 km far from Yazd

Great Pictures!

Did the Yazidi religion originate from Yazd?

Thank u

About Yazidi: the problem is about pronunciation
we pronunce it Eizadi.
as Zagros said, I don't think there is no relation between them too

Thanks Zagros and Land of Aryan. 

What's the ethnic origin of the people in this city?

Indeed, The greatest Zartoshtian population in Iran are living there.

Absolutely, they are true Iranian.
that protected themselves against arab invasion