Iran, Esfahan. A section of the tiles adorning the portal of the magnificent Sheikh Lotfoolah Mosque. The mosque is one of the masterpieces of Persian architecture built in the early 17th century.

Iran, Shiraz. Two young men in traditional costume in Jahan Nama Garden.

Iran, Shiraz. A woman walks through the prayer hall of the Vakil Mosque with its vaulted brick ceiling and beautifully carved columns.

Iran, Shiraz. A bas relief on the main veranda of the Naranjestan-e Ghavam complex, also known as Qavan House, which was built in the late 19th century by a wealthy merchant.

Iran, Shiraz. The ornate dome of the Shah Cheragh shrine in Shiraz. The shrine is the holiest pilgrimage site for Shia Muslims in Shiraz.

Iran, Qom. The ornate geometric golden domed ceiling of the Hazrat-e Masumeh mosque. Shi'a Muslims regard Qom as an important Holy City.

Iran, Yazd Province, Yazd, portrait of an iranian beauty with an iman hussein badge

Iran, Fars Province, Persepolis, the Eastern stairway of the Apadana shows a procession of people bringing gifts to the Achaemenid king, in 512 BC, Darius the Great began the construction to serve as...

Iran, Fars Province, Persepolis, the Eastern stairway of the Apadana shows a procession of people bringing gifts to the Achaemenid king, in 512 BC, Darius the Great began the construction to serve as...

Iran, Isfahan Province, Kashan, Muqarnas and mural frescos of the ceremonial rooms of the Khan-e-Borujerdi, residence of art craft merchant dated 19th century

Iran, Central Iran, Kashan, Khan-e Boroujerdi, traditional carpet merchant's house, ornate plasterwork

Iran, Central Iran, Esfahan, Naqsh-e Jahan Imam Square, Royal Mosque, interior mosaic

Iran, Central Iran, Esfahan, Bazar-e Bozorg market, interior

Iran, Central Iran, Shiraz, Nasir-al Molk Mosque, interior

Iran, Central Iran, Shiraz, Nasir-al Molk Mosque, interior

Iran, Southeastern Iran, Kerman, Qaleh Dokhtar, old Sassanid fort

Iran, Southeastern Iran, Kerman, End to End Bazaar, Baluchi man in traditional clothes

Jameh Mosque, Yazd, Iran

Entrance portal and pool, Chehel Sotun Palace Garden, Isfahan, Isfahan Province, Persia, Iran, Asia

Iran, Esfahan. Shops line the arched brick passageways of Bazar Bozorg. This grand bazaar was originally constructed in 11th century but the existing structures date from the Safavid period in the 1...

Iran, Esfahan. The ornate Music room of Ali Qapu or Great Persian Palace. This six-storey-high palace lies was built at the end of the 16th century by Shah Abbas the Great on the western side of Naqs...

Iran, Esfahan. The ornate Music room of Ali Qapu or Great Persian Palace. This six-storey-high palace lies was built at the end of the 16th century by Shah Abbas the Great on the western side of Naqs...

Iran, Esfahan. The 17th century Shah Mosque, Masjed-e Shah, which is a masterpiece of Persian architecture.

Iran, Esfahan. A vaulted prayer room in the 17th century Shah Mosque, Masjed-e Shah, which is a masterpiece of Persian architecture.

Iran, Naqsh'e Rostam. The most famous of the Sassanid Bas-reliefs depicts the triumph of Shapur I over two Roman emperors, Valerian Caesar and Philip the Arab. Behind the king stands Kirtir, a powerfu...

Iran, Persepolis. The inner portal of the Gate of All Nations guarded by winged human-headed bulls. Persepolis was the ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid Empire and dates back to 515 BC.

Iran, Persepolis. A bas-relief of men bearing gifts for the king decorate stairway of the ‘Tachara'. Persepolis was the ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid Empire dating back to 515 BC.

Iran, Shiraz. A display of various dried foodstuffs and spices at Vakil Bazar.

Iran, Shiraz. An impressive array of carpets and rugs for sale in Vakil Bazar.

Iran, Shiraz. The vaulted brick ceiling and beautifully carved columns of the prayer hall of the Vakil Mosque.

Iran, Shiraz. A newly-wed Iranian couple in traditional costume pose in front of the Qajari-era palace, Kakh-e Eram, in Eram garden which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Iran, Shiraz. A finely painted ceiling in an upstairs room of Zinat ol-Mok mansion, the former living quarters of the wealthy owner of the next door Naranjestan-e Ghavam pavilion, also known as Qavan...

Iran, Shiraz. A stained glass window of the exquisite interior of the Nasir al-Mulk Mosque, known as the Pink Mosque due to the predominant colour of its tiles. The mosque was built between 1876 and...

Iran, Shiraz. A stained glass window in the exquisite Nasir al-Mulk Mosque, known as the Pink Mosque due to the predominant colour of its tiles. The mosque was built between 1876 and 1888.

Iran, Shiraz. A passageway of beautifully decorated arches leads to the Nasir al-Mulk Mosque, known as the Pink Mosque due to the predominant colour of its tiles. The mosque was built between 1876 an...

Iran, Shiraz. An exquisitely tiled wall of Nasir al-Mulk Mosque, known as the Pink Mosque due to the predominant colour of its tiles. The mosque was built between 1876 and 1888.

Iran, Shiraz. An ornate vaulted passageway leading to the expansive courtyard of the Shah Cheragh shrine in Shiraz. The shrine is the holiest pilgrimage site for Shia Muslims in Shiraz.

Iran, Shiraz. Life size wax figures in the museum inside Kharim Khan citadel re-inact an audience scene with Karim Khan. The citadel was built in the late 18th century to become the state capital and...

Iran, Pasargadae. The tomb of Cyrus the Great who died in 530 or 529 BC. It is was built of massive stone blocks and stands 11 metres high.

Iran, Yadz. Decorative wall tiles in the Jameh Mosque.

Iran, Yadz. The stunning three-stored façade of the Amir Chakhmaq Hosseinieh. Kept on the right is the largest Nakhl in Yadz. The wooden structure is carried by hundreds of men each year in a Shiite...

Iran, Yadz. The stunning three-stored façade of the Amir Chakhmaq Hosseinieh. Kept on the right is the largest Nakhl in Yadz. The wooden structure is carried by hundreds of men each year in a Shiite...

Iran, Yadz. A large awning covers the central courtyard of the Mehr Hotel in Yadz.

Iran, Abyaneh. The octagonal cone-shaped tiled roof of the 14th century Imamzadeh-ye Yahya shrine in Abyanaeh village. The village is one of the oldest and most traditional in Iran, attracting many to...

Iran, Abyaneh. A pretty young girl in traditional costume in Abyaneh village. The village is one of the oldest and most historical in Iran, attracting many tourists.

Iran, Abyaneh. A young couple beside an old red mud-plastered building in Abyaneh village. The village is one of the oldest and most traditional in Iran, attracting many tourists.

Iran, Abyaneh. A young couple in Abyaneh village. The village is one of the oldest and most traditional in Iran, attracting many tourists.

Iran, Abyaneh. An attractive young girl in Abyaneh village. The village is one of the oldest and most traditional in Iran, attracting many tourists.

Iran, Kashan. An upstairs view of Abbasian Historic House with stained glass windows. This beautiful house was built in 1823 and took 20 years to complete. It was said to have been the property of a...

Iran, Kashan. The ornately decorated interior of Sultan Amir Ahmad Bathhouse. The bathhouse was constructed in 16th century and renovated after earthquake damage in 1778.

Iran, Kashan. The ornately decorated interior of Sultan Amir Ahmad Bathhouse. The bathhouse was constructed in 16th century and renovated after earthquake damage in 1778.

Iran, Tehran, National Museum of Iran. A bas-relief found at the ancient site of Persepolis, the ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid Empire circa 550 BC.

Iran, Qeshm Island, Salakh, bandari veiled woman

Iran, Fars Province, Persepolis, the lion and the bull in combat, listed as World Heritage by UNESCO,

Iran, Isfahan Province, Isfahan, naghsh-i jahan square also known as Imam Khomeiny square, listed as World Heritage by UNESCO, the Shah Mosque also known as Imam Mosque with its monumental entrance

Iran, Isfahan Province, Isfahan, Chai Khaneh Azadegan Tea House and restaurant, man smoking a water pipe

Iran, Isfahan Province, Isfahan, Chai Khaneh Azadegan Tea House and restaurant, young iranian women student in medical engineering whose name are, from left to right, Pita, Nadia and Niloufar (no mode...

Iran, Isfahan Province, Isfahan, Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque build in the early 17th century

Iran, Yazd province, edge of the Dasht-e Kavir desert, Kharanaq old village with its mud bricks (adobe) houses overlooking the Andjir valley