Yazd Atashkadeh (Fire Temple)

The Yazd Fire Temple, also known as the Varahram Fire Temple or the Bahram Fire Temple, is one of the most important and sacred religious centres of the Zoroastrians in Iran. The building stands in the city of Yazd, in Yazd Province, and was built during the reign of Reza Shah, the first Pahlavi ruler. The fire temple is located on Markar Square and Ayatollah Kashani Street. It serves as the place of worship for the Zoroastrians of Yazd and as the home of the sacred Bahram Fire. The Persian word "atashkadeh" means "house of fire." In the past it was not only a religious site but also a place where people took fire for their household hearths. This is the origin of cultural concepts such as the "green hearth" (ojaq-e sabz) and the "blind hearth" (ojaq-e kur).

The Bahram Fire, which was kindled in the Sasanian era by order of the Mobed of Mobeds (the chief priest), is regarded as one of the three great sacred fires of the Zoroastrians. Over the course of history the fire was kept in several different places, and it was finally moved to the Yazd Fire Temple in 1313 (Solar Hijri; 1934 CE). The temple was built on the orders of Reza Shah Pahlavi, with financial support from the Zoroastrians of India. The Bahram Fire is still burning in the temple today and is regarded as a symbol of victory and of the continuity of the Zoroastrians' sacred fire through history.

The temple is built on a platform about 1.4 metres high and stands in a large courtyard filled with lush pine and cypress trees. The stone capitals and the beautiful Faravahar relief above the entrance give the building a striking appearance. The pool of water in front of the building symbolises the harmony of the elements of water and fire in Zoroastrian culture. The building's fine capitals and stonework were carried out by artisans from Isfahan, while its beautiful tilework was done by tile-makers from Yazd. The architecture of the temple is inspired by the style of the Parsi fire temples.

To reach the Yazd Fire Temple, take Ayatollah Kashani Street to Markar Square. The site is open every day of the week except public holidays. From a cultural and religious point of view, fire held a sacred place in ancient Iran, as a symbol of light, purity and life, and it was the focal point of religious gatherings and rituals. The Yazd Fire Temple is not only a place of prayer and Zoroastrian religious ceremonies, but also a symbol of the history, culture and spiritual identity of the Iranian people over many centuries.