Location: Yazd Province, 680 kms south-east of Tehran, 390 kms North-West of Kerman

One of the most attractive towns in Iran, famed for its myriad wind   towers that provide natural air conditioning for the inhabitants, and its   network of kuchés, or narrow lanes.

Yazd is also the center of Zoroastrianism, the religion of the ancient Achaemenian kings of Persia and practiced to this day. There is a Zoroastrian temple containing a sacred flame said to have been burning non-stop for over 1500 years. Located just outside the town are the Towers of Silence, an ancient Zoroastrian burial site built on two hills.

In fact, "burial" is the wrong word, as the dead would be laid out above ground to be devoured by birds of prey.

There are two beautiful mosques, the 14th century Masjed-é Jame', or Friday Mosque, with its imposing minarets, splendid dome and mosaics, and the 15th century Amir Chakhmaq Mosque.

Other sites include the 11th century Tomb of the 12 Imams (although none is actually buried here) and Alexander's Prison, a circular pit said to have been built by Alexander the Great.