Darab, Iranian illustrated history

Extracted from Rasekhoon
The city has three central parts, Rastaq and Furg, and 12 districts and two urban centers, Darab and Jannat Shahr. The city is bounded to the cities of Neyriz and Estahban from north, and to Fasa from the west, and to the cities of Zarirndasht and Laristan from the south, and to Hormozgan from the east. Its population is currently 182,000.
The city of Darab, whose ancient name is Darabgard, is located 275 km east of Shiraz, the capital of Fars province. Its approximate area is 6541 square kilometers and is located at 54 degrees and three minutes to 55 degrees, 30 minutes east of Greenwich, and 28 degrees and 59 minutes north latitude from the equator. Its average elevation is 1170 meters, with the minimum height of 700 meters and the maximum altitudes of the northern city of Darab is 3042 meters.
The city has three central parts, Rastaq and Furg, and 12 districts and two urban centers, Darab and Jannat Shahr. The city is bounded to the cities of Neyriz and Estahban from north, and to Fasa from the west, and to the cities of Zarirndasht and Laristan from the south, and to Hormozgan from the east. Its population is currently 182,000.
The city is considered as the most susceptible city in terms of water and soil and has a different climate and is now considered as one of the important hubs in agriculture and animal husbandry, and there are fewer counties that has such a significant diversity in cultivating and gardening productions. The cultivars include wheat, cotton, corn, citrus, vegetables, palm trees and trees such as walnut, almonds, figs, Damask Rose and pomegranates, which have been used in the form of 72545 hectares. In all seasons the plains and its wide champaigns are lush and beautiful and breathtaking.
Darab city during the history
The word “Dar” in Persian language means “developer” so Darab means developer of water and the state was called Darab because of numerous springs of fresh water and the state was called Darabjerd that is in fact Darabgerd and in Shahnameh the city is also mentioned in this way. This city was built by Darab Kayani, the son of Bahman, and “Gerd” means the city, and “jerd” is the Arabic word for that. According to the documentation, Darabgerd (Darab) dates back to the early Achaemenid era, and the city was built by Darab, known as Darius the Great Achaemenid in the history of Iranian literature. It is well-known that the great Darab reigned twelve years, and Darabgerd (Darab) is one of his buildings.
● The first capital of Ardeshir Sassanid
Sassan, a noble man, married a woman, whose name appeared to be Ding. Sassan was in the head of temple of Anahita in the Estakhr city. After him, his son, Popek, succeeded him, and considered his relationship and position, and introduced one of his sons called Ardeshir, to Gozahr the governor, and asked him to hand over the boy who was then seven years old to the governor of Darab province. Ardashir was trained until his youth in Darab under the guardianship of an old man and he learnt military sciences and techniques according to his father's wishes.
Of course, the ruler of Darab adopted Ardeshir as his son, and after his death, Ardashir sat in his place and initially continued his work impartially and brought justice to the people and they loved him, and everyone said that more lands will be yous, and as a result, Darab became the first base of the Ardashir the Sassanid.
If you intend to travel to this city, you need to see the historical monuments of this area. In this lush and beautiful land, there are dozens of historical works related to the Achaemenid period until the end of the Qajar period, all of which reflect the history of the civilization of this ancient and most famous land.
● Darab’s historical monuments
1) Darabgard Town:
It is located six kilometers south of the present city and dates back to the Achaemenid era, and it was the first capital of the Sassanid regime.
2) Azarakhsh fire temple:
It was temple of Aryan mithraists and has become a fire temple in the Sasanian era or before that and is among the important Zoroastrian fire temples. The total area of the building is 420 meters, which is carved out of the mountain and is located four kilometers east of Darab.
3) Shapur embossment:
Four kilometers south of the city of Darab, which represents the great victory of the second Sassanid ruler, Shapur I over the Roman emperors of Valerian, Gordianos.
4) Azarjo fire temple:
According to Moghaddasi, it means a city of fire that is located six kilometers west of Darab, along with a spring called "Eghlan Qaz" that means "girl and boy". in the shape of four arches with a circular dome.
5) Kiramrth Palace in Farg
The palace is related to Sassanid era which is located eighty kilometers from Darab in the Farg.
6. Mirror Palace: it is located in Chakchak, Rasatgh section and it is related to the Sassanid era seventy kilometers from Darab.
7. Bahram Gur Palace:
It is located 26 km north of Darab.
8. Shah Neshin Tower:
Or Tolo Shajar castle in Rasatgh section.
9. Tomb of the Hazrat Dihyah Kalbi:
The companions of the great Prophet of Islam (PBUH) and the representative of Imam Hassan Mojtaba (AS) it is six kilometers south of Darab. In the history it is mentioned that Muawiya after peace with Imam Hasan (as) handed Darab over to the Imam Hassan to pay the tribute of this city, which was two million dirhams a year, for the sons of the martyrs of the wars of Jamal and Safin. Imam Hassan (AS) missioned Dihyah to Darab and he was charged to guide people.
10. Darab Jame Mosque:
It was built at the time of Shah Tahmaseb Safavid, which is distinct from other mosques of the Safavid era.
11. Khajeh Mouinaldin Mansour mosque:
The Purple Gardens mosque, the Imam Sadiq Seminary, and several other historical works are related to the era before and after Islam, each of which is a symbol of history with the magnificence of this ancient land.
● Tourist Attractions

▪ Tang Raghz Waterfall:
This waterfall is located at the north of the Hassanabad Research Station at mountainous elevations. After passing through several natural pools in closed cylinder-shaped space with relatively high height large amounts of water are poured into a pool, which is unique somehow. This waterfall is 40 kilometers west of Darab.
▪ Golabi Fountain:
It is one of the natural tourism attractions of Fars province that is located 15 km on the old road of Darab-Shiraz.
▪ Tang Katuyeh Fountain:
In northern Darab, on the road there are to water mills making the gardens lush and green.
▪ Fadahi Waterfall:
It is located in the north of the border town, in the Farg section, and it is very beautiful.
▪ Roudbal River:
It is located 15 km west of Darab, which passes through the plains and reaches to Khasuyeh.
▪ Godar Panbe Mountain Pass:
There are Sohlak Cave (Seyyed Mozafar Cave), beautiful natural and pristine gardens and hundreds of citrus gardens in Jannat Shahr, Fasarood, Roodbal, Mountain, Furg and Rastagh with dozens of springs. This ancient land in the dry and warm south has made Darab a dream paradise.
● Religion
This city is among the first cities in Iran that accepted Red Shi’ism of Alavi by representative of Imam Hassan (AS), "Dihyah Kalbi". in this city there are more than forty shrines, three hundred mosques and religious sites everywhere that all depict the faith and beliefs of these peoples.
● Current Darab City

The city of Darab had several small and large neighborhoods in the past, but today, with dozens of wide, long, boulevards, beautiful streets, squares and numerous parks, it has become a fairly beautiful city, which hosts more than 10,000 motorcyclists from different parts of the world. As it is known as the Iron Horses.
● Road
This city is located between two important commercial centers of Fars and Hormozgan, and one of the important routes in the east of Fars province meets the main ports of Hormozgan province from the same route, and this is the closest route between the two centers of Fars and Hormozgan. In this city, education began in 1303, and the first elementary school of this city was Shahr-e Azad School, headed by Riasati in Bahar Street with thirty students. Today, with hundreds of classrooms at various levels of education and several vocational schools and universities it has become one of the most capable and important cities.
Track and field National Figures
One of the favorite sports of Darab is track and field so that whenever there is a talk about the sport we can hear name of Darab and Seyed Zia Kamaneh; Seyed Zia Kamaneh was born in 1308 AH. From a teenage period he started the sport by traditional methods, and he was trained in sports at the start of military service under the supervision of trained instructors and was able to take part in the three hundred official competitions of the country and abroad and received countless medals. His last high jump was in the year 1334 to a two-meter-and-five-centimeters in Rome, and in the same year he made a record of 110 meters with an obstacle in 14.7 seconds. Seyed Gholam Reza Kamaneh, like his father, spent his adolescence and youth in this sport and he entered races inside and abroad, and at his last match in Jakarta, he flew at a height of two meters and ten centimeters. Among other national figures of this land we can name Seyyed Mohammad Reza Kamani, Seyyed Ja'far Namazi, Mohammad Ali Karimi, Heydar Shakour and Ali Akbar Sistani.
● Jannat Shahr
It is located 15 km east of Darab, and is one of the major centers of citrus products in Darab city, which has a nice variety. The existence of hundreds of citrus gardens along with agricultural products has paved the way for progress, development, and modern economy.
● Handicrafts of Furg and Abrud Shur:
In the area different hand sweeps and large and small baskets in different sizes, fan, date basket, baskets, and some other items are woven with palm trees foliage and then they are ornamented by different colors.
● Facts about Fars
Darab is located in the southeast of Fars province, and it is one of the oldest regions of Iran and the world. The city is tropical in terms of climate, and its rainfall is mostly in the form of rain and does not exceed 350 mm during the year ... The people of its villages are farmers and the citrus products of the city are famous in other cities.
The city of Darab has numerous university centers with the names of Darab Agricultural College, Payam Noor University, Islamic Azad University, and the vocational and technical school.
Darab is neighboring with the cities of Zarindasht, Estahban, Neyriz, Fasa and Hormozgan province.
The natural beauty of the area can be seen in the area of Roodball, which in different seasons of the year, especially in April, embraces a large number of people.
Fars Province is one of the most spectaculars provinces of Iran and Darab is one of the cities in the province... other tourist cities are Abade, Arsanjan, Eghlid, Firozabad, Kazerun, Larestan, Lamerd, Marvdasht, Mamasani, Neyriz , Fasa, Jahrom, and Zarrindasht.
If we want to mention the landmarks of this province, then we should mention Pasargad, Persepolis, Hafezia, Saadi’s tomb, Vakil Market, Narenjestan Qavam, Afifabad Garden, Eram Garden, Parishan Lake, Vakil Mosque, Vakil Bath and Kazeroun Fire Temple.