MASHHAD,

Entrance to the Imam Reza Shrine

City in northeastern Iran, capital of the Khorasan province, lying 3,231 feet (985 m) up in the valley of the Kashaf River. It is an important political and religious centre, visited annually by more than 100,000 pilgrims. The city is linked by rail with Tehran and has an airport. Meshed serves a rich agricultural region in Iran and is the centre of the northern wool trade, manufacturing carpets for export.

The city is an offshoot of the ancient city of Tus and owes its historical importance to the burial place and shrine of the caliph Harun ar-Rashid (d. AD 809) and that of 'Ali ar-Ria (d. 818), the eighth imam of the Twelver Shi'ite sect of Islam. Although Meshed was severely damaged in a Mongol attack in 1220, the sacred buildings were partially spared, and traces of the earlier structures remain. Shah Rokh, the son of the conqueror Timur (Tamerlane), did much to beautify Mashad, and his wife erected a mosque that is one of the finest architectural achievements of Iran. In the 16th and 17th centuries, Meshed was sacked by Turkmen and Uzbeks. It was restored by 'Abbas I (reigned 1588-1629), who encouraged the pilgrimage and beautified the city. Nader Shah (reigned 1736-47) made it his capital and made several additions to its buildings. After Nader's death, Meshed became the capital of a small state controlled by his grandson. Pop. (1986) 1,463,508.
- Encyclopaedia Britannica

The Holy Shrine of Imam Reza, and the surrounding buildings of the haram-e motahhar (sacred precincts), known collectively as the Astan-e Ghods-e Razavi, comprise of the marvels of the Islamic world. There is so much to see in such a confined area that it is impossible to take in everything in one visit. As well as the shrine itself, this large circular walled island in the centre of Mashad contains two mosques, three museums, 12 lofty eivans or halls (two of them coated entirely with gold), six theological colleges, two main and two lesser courtyards, several libraries, a small post office, a bookshop, and many other religious and administrative buildings.
- Lonely Planet Iran travel guide, 1998, by Paul Greenway and David St. Vincent.

More pictures of Mashad from the Iranian Cultural Information Center