KASHAN

Zobeida, the favourite wife of the famous Caliph Haroun-al-Rasheed, established the town of Kashan, which is situated between Tehran and Isfahan. The town of Kashan is the third in the long line of towns, which follow each other at distances of from 75 to 150 miles along the western fringe of the Great Desert on the highway to India.

Kashan, in spite of its disabilities, possesses a long and honourable record; for its inhabitants, unable to gain a livelihood from the inhospitable land, turned their hands to industry and made their town the principal centre in Persia for the production of fine textiles in cotton, wool and silk as well as fine carpets.   

The Kashan district is possibly one of the best producers of Persian Carpets. These carpets have taken the name of the region, and are simply referred to as the “Kashan”. Due to the very high quality of the wool, the very fine weaving and the beautiful colours and designs, Kashans have become to be classified among the finest Persian Carpets.

The warp and weft are made of cotton or silk. The designs vary from medallions with tendrils to vases, and from all over patterns to very fine floral designs.

However, the most common designs are those with central medallions.

Kashan lies some 130 miles (200 kilometres) south of Tehran in the canter of Iran. It is on the high plateau that occupies most of central Iran and at the western edge of the country's great central desert. The climate is dry and agriculture dependent on irrigation. The area had numerous mulberry trees and was famous for silk production. The city of Kashan was a centre of silk manufacture. Apart from its world-famous carpets, and well known for its silk and the glazed earthenware tile called " Kashi" - means: from Kashan- after its place of manufacture, Kashan is a beautiful large oasis town on the Qum-Kerman road running along the edge of the Great Desert (Kavir)

Kashan has four districts, three towns; Kashan, Ghamsar and Gol Ara, and ten villages. It is bounded on the north by Qum, on the south by Ardestan, Natanz, Barkhovar and Meimeh, on the west by Delijan, and on the east by Lut Desert.

Kashan has a warm and dry climate and its water reservoirs are mainly based in underground beds an altitude of 1,600 m above sea level.

Kashan is one of the most important archaeological sites in central Iran; it is on the edge of town. It history is all marked with turmoil:

. From the second half of the 15th century through the first of the 16th century, Kashan was a populous town.

· An earthquake in the 16th century totally wrecked the town and its bazaar.

· In the 17th century, Kashan developed and regained its reputation.

· The 1778 AD quake razed Kashan to the ground for the second time in 100 years.

· Developed in the Seljuk era and their successor, Qareh Quyonlu.

· The Safavid era marked the ultimate grandeur of Kashan, which become home to several scientists.

· After the rule of Karim Khan-e-Zand, Kashan was hit by another deadly jolt.

· Presently Kashan is a developed town with several factories and industrial units.

Kashan is an ancient town. Archaeological discoveries around the town, especially on Seyalk hills, show the history of Kashan at the pre-Islamic era.