Southeastern Iran
Although possibly 9th-century in origin, the main core of Qa'en's bulky central mosque predominantly dates from a 1394 rebuild funded by a Timurid commander. The hollow, central, summer section is decorated in chequered white-and-sepia detail; the mihrab, added later, was angled to compensate for the discovery that the builders had misaligned the mosque several degrees away from the true direction of Mecca.
The sundial in the caravanserai-style courtyard was restored in 1951.
2.18 MILES
Walking to and exploring this mountaintop fortress ruin is the highlight of a visit to Qa'en, especially if you time your descent to coincide with sunset,…
10.5 MILES
Around Qa'en you can find several old villages of low, domed, mud hovels, which have been almost entirely abandoned as folks moved to new, more sanitary…
2.16 MILES
Crouched on the lower slopes of Qa'en's abrupt southern mountains, this restrained but beautifully restored tomb is supposedly the last resting place of…
0.1 MILES
A now-dry underground water cistern has been converted into a one-room museum of water technology demonstrating how desert cities like Qa'en traditionally…
0.26 MILES
Housed in the Zand-era Soltani House with its two mini mosque-like iwans, this seven-room museum is unusually well arranged – the mannequins have a degree…
0.1 MILES
A now-dry underground water cistern has been converted into a one-room museum of water technology demonstrating how desert cities like Qa'en traditionally…
0.26 MILES
Housed in the Zand-era Soltani House with its two mini mosque-like iwans, this seven-room museum is unusually well arranged – the mannequins have a degree…
2.16 MILES
Crouched on the lower slopes of Qa'en's abrupt southern mountains, this restrained but beautifully restored tomb is supposedly the last resting place of…
2.18 MILES
Walking to and exploring this mountaintop fortress ruin is the highlight of a visit to Qa'en, especially if you time your descent to coincide with sunset,…
10.5 MILES
Around Qa'en you can find several old villages of low, domed, mud hovels, which have been almost entirely abandoned as folks moved to new, more sanitary…