Saryazd

As one of the magnificent historic villages in Iran’s central desert region, Saryazd village is located 6 km North East of the city of Mehriz, 28 km South West of Yazd city. Saryazd village is surrounded by a number of mountains on the north east and north west. With an altitude of 1380 meters above sea level the village has a hot and dry weather just like the whole region. Archeological researches conducted on the earthenware found at the area have provided proofs to the fact that this region has passed its most lively times during Saljuqid, Ilkhanid and Safavid eras. According to some historical evidence and what experts believe, before the city of Yazd came to existence, there had been an area near Saryazd village; it was named Farafar and fell into ruins after a period of drought.

In spite of being located in a mostly-desert area, Saryazd village has many orchards. This village used to be much more inhabited and populous in the past, but due to droughts, its residents have migrated to the cities in its vicinity especially Yazd. However, the existence of appropriate soil and enough water in Saryazd village during the recent decades has led to flourishing of orchards and agricultural farms.

The inhabitants of this village make a living from agriculture, animal husbandry, and horticulture. The main agricultural and garden products of the village are wheat, barley, vegetables, pomegranate, pistachio, water melon, and melon. Various dairy and animal products are also produced in the village. Besides working on farms, some locals make handicrafts especially carpets to earn income.

Saryazd village is situated in a vast plain and has a dense residential context. Most houses in the old part of the village are built from materials such as adobe and clay with a special architecture style proper for deserts. Lanes in this village are narrow and meandering, and houses have thick tall walls.

The existence of cistern, louver, Se-Dari (a large room with three entrances), Panj-Dari (a large room with five entrances), inner courtyard, outer courtyard, and Howz-Khane (an underground cellar with a pool) is a proof of skillful and elaborate architecture in this Iranian desert village.

In these rural houses, a space is also provided for doing handicraft-related and other economic activities. Modern buildings of the village are built from materials like cement, brick, iron, chalk and the like.

Thanks to its natural and historical situation, green gardens and farms, aqueducts brimful of water, and numerous historical monuments, Saryazd village has many tourist attractions. Here mention can be made of the old Chapar-Khaneh or traditional post office dating back to the Sassanid era, Saryazd huge castle dating back to the Saljuqid and Safavid eras, Robat Kohne (old caravanserai) from the Saljuqid era, and Robat No (new caravanserai) from the Safavid era, remnants of Faramarz city gate which date back to the Sassanid era, the Jame’ mosque of Saryazd, its old texture and ancient cisterns.

The Saryazd castle is one of the largest defense castles in Iran’s central desert. According to experts, the initial core of this castle had been constructed during Sassanid period and it was renovated and restored in the Safavid era. Defensive elements like trench entrance, fence, winding walls and supportive towers are visible there. Rooms for temporary settlement, stores for keeping food stuff, and stables and barns are among the most important spaces in the castle.

Natural attractions of Saryazd village consist of numerous aqueducts which are the source of the village’s prosperity. It’s being adjacent to the desert between Yazd and Kerman is considered as another attraction for the tourists who are fond of traveling to deserts. However, in a short distance from the desert there are green and cool routes in which brooks run.

The attractions of this village are not limited to the historical and natural ones but there can be seen cultural attractions, too. The life style of the villagers, their religious ceremonies in Hosseiniehs, their cuisine, customs and traditions, and their being so simple, contented, pure, kind, and friendly are all cultural social attractions in the village. Pomegranate and nuts are souvenirs taken from Saryazd; and the village is accessible via a road from the city of Mehriz.

Saryazd Castle

It is the only 3-store structure that still exists in Yazd province. The fort is built so that each floor has a narrow, hidden entrance that made it almost impossible for intruders to enter. The innermost fortification is dating 1800 years back in time. The outer fortification was built in Safavid period.

Inside the fortress, dark tunnels are made so narrow that only one man can pass at a time. The castle has two doors that one is a main door and another is a guardian door. The castle’s three floors are made with mud brick.

The complexity in inner spaces along with the tower and ramparts and simple and courtly geometrical shapes on them and the beautiful outer volume of the building are its unique features that have made Saryazd Castle as one of the most picturesque castles in the country.

This monument was registered as one of the national monuments in Iran.