Mashad

Location: Khorasan Province, 925km Eastern Tehran

Goharshad Mosque Mashad

Goharshad Mosque Mosaics

Imam Reza's Shrine

 Mashad Imam Reza's Shrine

This holy city in the east of Iran houses the Shrine of Imam Reza and is a major pilgrimage site for followers of Shi'ite Islam. Entry into the shrine itself is not allowed for non-Muslims but a visit may be made to the surrounding complex that includes the 15th century Great Mosque of Gowharshad, the Moghaddas (Holy) Museum and the Qods-é Razavi Museum. Other sites of interest include the extensive Bazaar and the Gonbad-é Sabz mausoleum.

A few miles from Mashad is Tus, hometown and mausoleum site of the great Persian poet Ferdowsi.