Kashan: UNESCO’s Creative City of Architecture

On UNESCO World Cities Day 2025, Kashan was recognized by UNESCO as a “creative city of architecture,” joining cities like Rome, Paris, and Barcelona. Kashan is “celebrated for its sustainable architecture and rich civilizational heritage.” But Kashan is renowned in history not just for Iranian-Islamic architecture, but also for Islamic art, magnificent silk and cotton woven carpets, and ceramics (Kashan ware). Survey of an ancient and thriving Iranian jewel, accompanied by videos, photos, and links for further readings.

Tamerlane and the Irascible Holy Man

Zayn al-Din Taybadi (d. 791/1389) is a captivating mystic of Mongol Iran. He was an irascible man, remembered by historians for his rudeness to Tamerlane (Temür; d. 807/1405). He in effect told Tamerlane (as New Yorkers like to say), to “take a long walk on a short pier.” This is the story.

Saintly Infrastructures of Medieval Islam: The Shrine at Torbat-e Jam

The importance of Christian monasteries to the socio-economic no less than the religious life of medieval Europe has long been recognized. Far less well-known is the comparable role of Muslim shrine complexes in providing a socio-economic infrastructure for their surrounding communities. This was especially the case in the eastern Islamic lands comprising what is today … Continue reading Saintly Infrastructures of Medieval Islam: The Shrine at Torbat-e Jam →