ARDESTÂN Ardestân Township is located 416 km. south to Tehran on the eastern outskirts of central mountains adjacent to Kavir (Biâbân = desert). There are isolated mountains, extensions of Karkas Mountains, in the south of the city. The climate is warm in the north of the city and cold in mountainous area of the south. According to different narratives, Ardestân is an old city founded by Dastan Saam, father of Rostam. There was a fire-temple  supposedly founded by Isfendiar (Spandyad the son of King Goshtasp (Vishtaspa)) 1. or by Ardeshir I, the founder of Sassanide dynasty. It is as well the birthplace of Khosrow Anooshirvan. In early 10th century AD,  it was a fortified city with 5 gates covering an area of 1 square mile.  The historical and eye-catching sites of this city are: 1. The "Shah Nameh" by the famous Persian Poet, Firdausi Tusi also mentions that the King Gushtasp sent his son Isfandiar to foreign countries for the purpose of diffusing the new religion so that the whole world might be enlightened. (Source:- "The Shah Nameh of Firdausi" by James Atkinson Page 263)   Several underground water reservoirs (QANAT) Jogand caravansarây on Ardestân-Naîn road Water mill aggregate in Râmiân and Zavâreh Sarhang âbâd palace aggregate in east of Zavâreh Several old mosques.