Documentary: Aperture: Yazd, Iran

Yazd, the emerald of the desert, is an oasis city deep in the heart of the desert in central Iran. The city has 3000 years of history. Previously known as Ysatis, the city’s early records can be tracked to the time of the ancient Median Empire here in Iran. This magnificent oasis may be the most beautiful desert city in the world and has been constantly inhabited through its time. Being remote and surrounded by killer deserts, Yazd has pretty much remained intact and is where the old traditions are kept alive to this day. In the labyrinthine alleys and passages of this vast and vital city you can find the ancient Iran so eloquently immortalized in Persia’s ancient scriptures and world-renowned poetry. Its clay colored alleys and roofed bazaars have stood witness to centuries of history; Alexander the great is said to have marched through the city on his way to India and centuries later Marco Polo got mesmerized by its unique architecture not seen anywhere else. The wind catchers or “Badgirs”, the stained glasses, narrow streets and covered alleys to name but a few are all built for both ornamental and functional reasons. The very same mentality can be observed in the city’s handcrafts and its most palatable cuisine and sweets.
In this documentary we travel to Yazd and follow a young Australian tourist as he explores the beauties of this ancient city. Stay with us.


PRESS TV Documentaries