Hafezieh Tomb in Shiraz: cradle of poetry

Shiraz is a cradle of Literature, poetry, art, painting and other fine arts which were born and matured in this part of Iran for more than 2500 years of history. Most of the people in Shiraz are proud of having a long history and art and they are very interested in literature and poetry. Many great poets of Iran are born and died in this part of land and the people of Shiraz inherit the legacy of poets, writers, artists, historians and even philosophers lived and died in Shiraz and transferred their science and art generation by generation until recent history and today the children of Shiraz showing these experiences which is petrified in their blood and genetics in the new form of contemporary art and literature in 21st century. Just by walking in the old streets of Shiraz you can find the trace of these fine art and poetry in words of people and singers singing the poems of famous poets of Iran which mixed with normal life of Shiraz people in Iran today.

Who is Hafez?

As mentioned above, poetry and poetry has a Significant role in the lives of Shiraz people and they are very proud of having memorized the poems of famous poets who lived more than 2500 years in Shiraz and many of them were buried in suburbs of modern Shiraz.
Among all famous poets who lived in shiraz, one of them is the most famous not just in shiraz and Iran but the world knows him as a great poet and philosopher and He is the master of some important writers and poets and Goteh from Germany and some words of him is written in most prominent literatures of great writers in the world. Hafez means a man who memorized and protects some words and in this case, Hafez memorized all of the holy book of Muslim people, the Quran, by heart. There are more than 14 different documents and certificates which confirms and notarized that Hafez knew and memorized the holy book by heart and in all poems of him you can find a trace of moral and spiritual and contemplative words related to religion and morality which is rooted to the holy book of us, Qoran.
In all events of Iranian life the poems of Hafez have great importance and people like and respect this book. In many cases when people want to start something or a job or a project take advice from great Hafez by opening his book accidently and find the words of Hafez as an order and follow his words to understand what will happen in future. This is like a fortune telling and because Hafez died and you cannot ask him anything in real word the people believe and respect his word in some way that just by opening his book . they make the spiritual connection with him and ask questions and advice and they believe Hafez will answer them in a very proper way in which they can rely on his word and make their choice and make the very proper decision in their real life.
Hafez for Iranian people is not just like a poet but he is as important as a master, father and consultant in their life. In all homes of Iranian people you can find a book of Hafez poems and poetry that flourished and glorified by Hafez in the Iranian territory. The poems of Hafez are very tangible and he speaks so sweet that in every corner of the country you can find someone who knows and memorizes his words and sings his verses like a word from god.

History of hafezieh building

Hafez is buried in a cemetery which is known as Hafezieh and the tomb of Hafez is placed in the middle of this huge land and structure. The Tomb of Hafez in Shiraz is like a shrine for lovers and all the time it is full of people who visit it to forget sadness of ordinary life or they are trying to find advice and ask Hafez to lead them to find a way to solve their problems. Tomb of Hafez is like a congregational place in many religious and national events and especially in our calendar new year on 21 march many people gather in tomb of Hafez in shiraz to start the new year in a very friendly and spiritually manner. On this day there is not enough space even to sit and many people stand in front of the doors and fences of his tomb and they are very proud and happy because of starting the new year neighboring and close to his grave or tomb and leave the old year to have a better life. They believe starting the new year near him is a blessing from God and they will have good fortune in the new year just because of Hafez the great spiritual poet and leader of his followers and lovers in the real world.
Hafez has a great role in Iranian everyday life and his words influenced literature and poetry and even philosophy and he was born in 1325 and died in 1390. After his death he was buried as a Muslim follower. But because of envy of many rivals and enemies many fundamentalists accused him as heresy and they did not let him be buried in the normal cemeteries of Muslim people in Shiraz. After debates the rivals and enemies let him be buried in a cemetery out of the city borders and for many years the grave of this great man was like ordinary people and a very simple gravestone jus located Hafez the great poet.

Review of Hafezieh Architecture

As mentioned above the grave and tombstone of Hafez the great poet was very simple and during the centuries some governors add some simple metal frames above him until the modern days of Iran started and at last in 1935 the great architect, archaeologist and historian Andre Godard accepted as the director of the Department of Antiquities at the time and was commissioned to design a new building as tomb of great poet Hafez in Shiraz.
The tomb of Hafez( hafezieh) in shiraz is located in an old cemetery within a building complex courtyard.The great architect preserved many structures and buildings in respect of the cemetery and many forms and structures made after were in harmony with old traditional gardens in Shiraz and other locations in the country according to Zand dynasty architecture and beliefs and designs. He preserved many pieces and places of the old cemetery to show the transition between old historical cemeteries and gardens and new fashion designs and architectural motifs in the new generation and contemporary era. The very roots of this new structure are related to “Mille Ahangan tower “in mashhad city. The grave is under the round plan and doomed space like a tomb tower.
Alterations to Hafeze’s tomb involved elevating it one meter above ground level and encircling it with five steps.. Eight columns , each ten meters tall, support a copper dome in the shape of a dervish’s hat. The underside of the dome is an arabesque and colorful mosaic. An octagonal structure was built around the time, featuring a dome adorned with moaraq tiles. All the columns are made and carved as Zand dynasty architecture and pillars made in that era. The transition from square to circular dome made from copper is made by using this octagonal form via eight grafted stone pillars. The north building of the tomb was preserved and changed to a perfect library which is used today by scientists and historians and other scholars and students.
The form and design of garden is preserved and many water fountains from Zand era are made and used in the shallow pool and ditches of the garden as in many traditional gardens especially in Zand and Qajar era using water fountains was a basic rule to add beauty and more pleasant atmosphere to the garden.

Tomb of Hafez from tourists prospective

To add more details and beauty to the whole garden and structure and to attract more tourists to the garden , several rectangular pools have been added among the gardens and well – maintained orange trees, paths , streams and flower beds create a pleasant environment for the tourism hub of Hafez’s tomb and memorial hall. The dome over Hafez’s grave is well lit at night, providing an attractive focal point for tourists to take pictures and enjoy watching a gem in the gardens of Shiraz .
Hafez and his poems have a great position in the hearts of Iranian people specially Shirazi peoples , visiting Hafez tomb not only shows the beauty of gardens and tomb gardens in Iran, but all the tourists prospective changes and raises by knowing the culture and traditions of Iranian people especially people of shiraz. By visiting people and lovers of Hafez each one brings red roses as a respect and love to him shows how important is culture and literature and poetry for Iranian and People of Shiraz. Visiting Hafez tomb for international tourists is a must, so next time you intend to visit Shiraz, never and never forget to include visiting hafezieh shiraz or Hafez tomb in your program. In any case we are looking forward to visiting you in Shiraz and Hafez tomb . Our team in Sanapersian site are ready to consult you and help you to add this attraction to your own program next time you intend to visit Iran.