Khorasan Provincee

Khorasan (Persian: خراسان) (also transcribed as Khurasan and Khorassan, anciently called Traxiane during Hellenistic and Parthian times) is currently a region located in north eastern Iran, but historically referred to a much larger area east and north-east of the Persian Empire (see Greater Khorasan). The name Khorasan is Persian and means "where the sun arrives from." The name was given to the eastern province of Persia during the Sassanid empire. Khorasan is famous world wide for its saffron and zereshk which are produced in the southern cities of the province. Production is more than 170 tons per year. Khorasan is also known for its famous rugs as well as for the ferdousi and imamreza shrines/tombs.
Khorasan was the largest province of Iran until it was divided to three provinces on September 29, 2004.

Khurasan Attractions:

MASHHAD CITY

Mashhad the country's second largest city is known as a center of Shi'ite pilgrimage, and after Isfahan and Shiraz is the third most interesting tourist city in Iran. After the martyrdom of Imam Reza the eighth Iman of Shi'ite Muslems in 202 A.H. (lunar calendar) and burying him in Sanabad a suburb of Toos, a city has originated called Mashhad. And by order of Soltan Mahmmod Ghaznavi a dome built for the tomb of Imam Reza in 7th century A.H. After the invasion of Mongols to Toos and destruction of the city many poeple from Toos migrated to Mashhad and so the city has started to expand. From thousands of pilgrims who visit Mashhad every year few remain untouched by this mystical lovely city. The most famous shrine in Iran is that of Imam Reza. Non-Muslems are not allowed to visit but are welcome at the magnificent museum and library adjacent to Gowhar Shah's shrine. Dating back to the 15th century this is one of the finest examples of Islamic architecture. Mashhad is famous for its turquoise and kelim prayer rugs and many fine examples found in the local bazaar. The worth visiting places are the tomb of Ferdowsi in Toos who is considered as one of the most famous Iranian poets, the tomb of Khajeh mostly interested and visited by Sunni pilgrims, traditional wrestling at the Zurkhanch Eydgah and the Sabr Carpet Factory. There are three great ruined caravanserais and a musallah courtyard in Toq village just outside the city. 

Shrine of Imam Reza

Going to Iran and not going to Imam Reza Shrine, is like going to Italy and missing Vatican. For many centuries, development of Mashhad was slow and until recently it remained a pilgrimage center of only regional importance. Mashhad grew around the legendary martyrdom of Imam Reza, and the city's history is permanently linked with that of his shrine. There are numerous courts, drinking places, kettledrums, clocks, Imam's tomb, golden dome, university of Islamic science, Astan-e Qods library, a clinic and etc. It is possible for non-muslem turists to visit all around the shrine, museum and other parts but not inside the shrine..

Museum of Astane-ye Qods Razavi

This museum is one of the richest in Iran which has been open to the public since 1935. A variety of items are preserved here, including superb manuscripts of the Holy Koran, some attributed to the Holy Imams, carpeted and rugs dedicated by Shah Abbas Safafid, a unique collection of brocades from the 11th, 12th and 13th centuries, epigraphs in gold ink by 'Ali Reza' Abbasi, the great master of the Safavid period, calligraphic masterpieces.

Nadershah Mausoleum

It is a curious piece of architecture completed in 1956, consisting in a heavy slab of concrete which forms a crypt and of a colossal bronze group representing soldiers led to battle by an equestrian commander on horseback bearing a turban and a large ax (Nader Shah). A small museum and a library is also near it.