Ramadan customs can become cultural tourism product, researcher says

TEHRAN — The holy month of Ramadan revives deep-rooted rituals that connect faith, popular culture and social life, offering strong potential for cultural narration and ritual tourism development.

Shiraz historical fabric plan registered in national archives

TEHRAN - A plan outlining integrated regulations for the protection, management and development of the historical fabric of Shiraz has been officially registered by the National Library and Archives of Iran, authorities said.

101 Shiraz-minted coins registered on national heritage list

TEHRAN – A collection of 101 coins minted in the southern city of Shiraz has been registered on Iran’s national list of movable cultural heritage, the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts said.

Work on Xerxes I tomb at Naqsh-e Rostam nears completion

TEHRAN – Restoration work on the rock-cut tomb of Achaemenid king Xerxes I is nearing completion after years of conservation efforts, a local official has said.

Priority goes for adapting Fars historical sites to accessible tourism for people with disabilities

TEHRAN -- Physically adapting historical and tourist sites, observing accessibility standards, and strengthening the cultural activities related to the disabled community are among the main priorities of Fars Cultural Heritage Department.

Heritage sites in Fars province to be monitored by drones

TEHRAN – Fars’ cultural heritage department is set to use drones and electronic monitoring systems to oversee nationally and globally registered heritage sites scattered across the southern Iranian province.

23,000 foreign tourists visited Fars during March-September 2025

TEHRAN—Over 23,000 foreign tourists visited Fars province during the first half of current Iranian year (March-September 2025).

Hafez mausoleum marks Yalda Night

TEHRAN--Concurrent with the fourth anniversary of Yalda Night’s inclusion on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, a night celebration ceremony titled ‘Yalda at the Shrine of Hafez’ was held in Hafezieh, where the legendary Persian poet is laid to rest.

Iranian artists showcase traditional arts in India exhibitions

TEHRAN - Iranian artists are presenting traditional arts at a series of exhibitions in India under a cultural memorandum of understanding between Shiraz’s Setaiesh art house and the Jaipur Art Summit institute.

Sassanid-era inscription referring to royal festival discovered

TEHRAN — An Iranian archaeologist said a Sassanid-era inscription referring to the calendar of a royal festival has recently been discovered on rock cliffs in the Marvdasht Plain in southern Iran.

Shah Cheragh shrine holds unique potential for religious tourism

TEHRAN – The holy shrine of Shah Cheragh, where Seyyed Mir Ahmad, one of the brothers of Imam Reza (AS), the eighth Shia Imam, is laid to rest, holds a unique potential for religious tourism in the ancient city of Shiraz, the capital of Fars province.

UNESCO registration of Zandieh complex high on agenda

TEHRAN--Considering that the registration of Zandieh complex of Shiraz on the UNESCO World Heritage list is on the agenda of Fars Cultural Heritage Department, one of its biggest problems is Aseman Hotel, which has created visual distortion in the horizon of Zandieh complex, of which Karim Khan Citadel is perhaps the most important part.

Persepolis launches new conservation program using advanced material and imaging technology

TEHRAN – Iranian restoration teams have launched a new conservation program at the UNESCO-designated Persepolis and the nearby Naqsh-e Rostam site using advanced imaging, special material, and stone-analysis technologies, officials said on Saturday.

Evaz in Fars province, a new destination for cultural tourism

TEHRAN--In a climate with little water but rich in intellectual and social assets, the city of Evaz in southern province of Fars has become the focal point of Iran’s cultural vision by earning the title of ‘Iran's Book Capital’. This choice, which was formalized by hosting the opening ceremony of the 33rd Iran Book Week, marks the beginning of a new chapter in the city's flourishing cultural potential and literary tourism.

Fajr Intl. Film Festival Market scheduled for late November in Shiraz  

TEHRAN- The 26th edition of the Fajr International Film Festival Market is set to be held in Shiraz, Fars province from November 28 to December 2 on the sidelines of the 43rd Fajr International Film Festival. 

Yazd hosting conference on Iran’s historical cities

TEHRAN - The second conference of Iran’s historical cities opened in Yazd on Wednesday, bringing together representatives from 43 cities across the country to discuss ways to preserve and promote urban heritage.

Needle-carved image linked to Sasanian king found in Southern Iran

TEHRAN — A needle-carved rock image believed to depict a Sasanian king has been discovered in the cliffs of the ancient city of Istakhr, located in Marvdasht Plain, an archaeologist said.

10 beautiful cities you should visit during travel to Iran

TEHRAN--Iran stands out as a land where urban life is deeply intertwined with centuries of history, spirituality, and stunning natural diversity.

Lighting and security system installed at Lar’s Neshat Garden

TEHRAN - The Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Department of Larestan has completed and inaugurated a lighting and surveillance camera project at the historical Neshat Garden in Lar, southern Iran, the department’s head said.

Intl. Iranology congress to be held in Tehran and Shiraz in mid-November

TEHRAN – An international Iranology congress, organized by the Islamic Culture and Relations Organization and the Iranology Foundation, will take place in Tehran and Shiraz from Nov. 15 to 18.

Extensive restoration of historical monuments underway in Fars province

TEHRAN-- Head of Fars Cultural Heritage Department Sadegh Zare’ announced the implementation of restoration operations for 34 historical monuments in different parts of the province.

Kazan Kremlin hosting photo exhibit of Shiraz attractions

TEHRAN--The UNESCO-registered Kazan Kremlin, a historical citadel in the city of Kazan, Russia’s Republic of Tatarstan, is playing host to a photography exhibition of Shiraz historical, cultural and religious attractions.

Fars province is the showcase of Iran’s culture and art: minister

TEHRAN — The Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts on Thursday described Fars province as the showcase of Iranian culture and art, highlighting its deep historical and civilizational significance.

By Katayoon Dashti

World’s largest hand-made cave, an unknown heritage in Fars province

Sang Shekanan (stonemasons) cave in the south of Jahrom, Fars province, has been dubbed the largest hand-made cave in the world, but many people in Iran and even Fars have not yet heard of it, and it has few visitors.

Global audiences gain access to Iranian heritage through 24-hour TV

TEHRAN — Meysam Shokripour, manager of Persepolis Internet TV, has said the first 24-hour channel dedicated to UNESCO World Heritage Sites, launched less than a year ago, allows audiences worldwide to access Iranian cultural and historical content, including Persepolis, via mobile phones, computers and smart TVs.

Rock carving of Sassanid ‘nobleman’ discovered in southern Iran

TEHRAN - A Sassanid-era rock carving estimated to be more than 1,500 years old has been discovered on the cliffs of Marvdasht in southern Iran’s Fars province, an Iranian historian said on Thursday.

Effort underway to safeguard Persepolis from ongoing erosion

TEHRAN – Iran is finalizing a comprehensive management and conservation plan for Persepolis, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Fars province, amid growing concerns from experts about erosion of its ancient stone reliefs, the site’s director said.

Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra to perform at Persepolis, minister confirms

TEHRAN – Iran’s Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts has said that the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra will stage a concert on Sept. 6 at Persepolis, the UNESCO World Heritage site near Shiraz, to mark the orchestra’s 100th anniversary.

18th-century Vakil Mosque undergoes restoration in Shiraz

TEHRAN – The historic Vakil Mosque, part of an 18th-century ensemble in downtown Shiraz, has undergone restoration, a provincial official said.