Shiraz
Ancient Iranian city, trade center, and home to poets Hafez and Saadi.
Shiraz is the fifth-most-populous city of Iran and the capital of Fars province, historically known as Persia proper. In the 13th century, it became a leading center of arts and letters, home to the poets Hafez and Saadi. Today, it is a major tourist destination, known for its gardens, crafts, and industries including electronics and oil refining.
- province
- Fars
- country
- Iran
- known_for
- City of poets, literature, flowers, and gardens; major electronic industries
Lore & Background
Shiraz is located in southwestern Iran on the Rudkhaneye Khoshk seasonal river. It grew prominent under the Saffarid and Buyid dynasties in the 9th and 10th–11th centuries, respectively. In the 13th century, it became a leading center of arts and letters due to the encouragement of its ruler and the presence of Persian scholars and artists. The poets Hafez and Saadi are from Shiraz, with their tombs located north of the current city boundaries.
Reader's Guide
Shiraz has historically been a major trade center for over a thousand years, with a moderate climate and a location in southwestern Iran. It is one of the top tourist cities in Iran, known as the city of poets, literature, and flowers, and is considered by some Iranians to be the city of gardens, such as Eram Garden. The city has historically had major Jewish and Christian communities. Its crafts include inlaid mosaic work, silverware, and carpet-weaving. Dominant industries include cement, sugar, fertilizers, textiles, wood products, metalwork, rugs, and a major oil refinery. Shiraz is a major center for Iran's electronic industries, hosting 53 percent of the nation's electronic investment, and is home to Iran's first solar powerplant. The city's name may derive from an ancient term meaning 'sunlit plain' or 'bright land,' reflecting its fertile terrain and favorable climate.
Did You Know?
- Two famous poets of Iran, Hafez and Saadi, are from Shiraz, with tombs north of the city.
- Shiraz hosts 53 percent of Iran's electronic investment and has the country's first solar powerplant.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Shiraz known for?
The city is celebrated as a haven of poets, literature, flowers, and gardens, most famously being the home of the medieval poets Hafez and Saadi. It also maintains a notable presence in electronic industries and remains a top tourist destination for its historic gardens and traditional crafts.
Why is Shiraz important to Iranian history?
As the capital of what was historically called Persia proper, Shiraz carried significant political and cultural weight for centuries. Its 13th-century golden age produced two of Iran's most beloved poets, cementing its reputation as the spiritual and artistic heart of the country.
More in Iranian Cities 1-21
Spotted an error? Know more?
This is a living reference — every entry is fact-audited, and reader corrections feed straight into our audit queue. Suggest an edit · See this site's audit record