Hafezieh

Hafezieh is the burial place of Khajeh Hafez of Shiraz, known as Lisan al-Ghayb, one of Iran's great poets of the 8th century AH. It is among the most important tourist attractions of Shiraz. The current structure of Hafezieh was built during the reign of Reza Shah (the first Pahlavi period) and was added to Iran's National Heritage list in 1354 (1975). Besides Hafez's tomb, the main attraction of the site, its lush green grounds make it an excellent place for a stroll, especially at night when it is beautifully lit. You can visit all year round, and for a small fee you can take a fal (divination) from the poet's Divan at the tomb of this great poet.

The site is known by this name because Hafez's tomb stands within it. It is in fact a cemetery complex south of Shiraz's famous gate, the Quran Gate. Hafez has a worldwide reputation, and every year he draws many domestic and international tourists to the complex. Major concerts have even been held at Hafezieh, including Mohammad-Reza Shajarian's concerts in 1342 (1963) and 1370 (1991) and a concert by Master Nazeri. Today the complex has expanded thanks to many changes that began in 1386 (2007). Hafezieh is not limited to Hafez's tomb; it has several sections with very beautiful architecture and greenery. The tomb of Khajeh Shams al-Din Mohammad Hafez of Shiraz was registered in 1354 (1975) by the Ministry of Culture and Arts on Iran's National Heritage list under number 1009. Hafezieh is a two-hectare complex made up of two main parts, the southern and northern courtyards. These two main parts are separated by a 56-metre hall consisting of 20 stone columns, each five metres high. Hafez's tomb lies in the northern courtyard. Besides these two courtyards, the Hafezieh complex today also includes an eastern and a western section: the eastern section is the tomb of the Moadel family, and the western section is the tomb of the Ghavam family.

Over the centuries, the Hafezieh complex has undergone many changes, both minor and fundamental. According to historical writings, a domed tomb was first built over his grave 65 years after the great poet's death, and it was restored during the Safavid and Afsharid eras. In the Zand period, however, Karim Khan Zand built a new tomb over Hafez's grave and placed a marble gravestone on it, which still exists today. These changes and repairs continued until the middle of the Pahlavi period. In 1314 (1935), Colonel Ali Riyazi, then head of the Fars Department of Culture, put into practice the plan to build a new tomb for Hafez, and with a design by the French architect André Godard, in the architectural style of the Zand period, he had Hafez's present-day tomb built. The northern part of Hafezieh, where Hafez's tomb stands, symbolises the celestial realm. The eight entrances and exits in this section, and the eight columns that support the copper dome of Hafez's tomb, are seen as symbols of the eight gates of paradise. In the design concept of this garden, the southern part of Hafezieh symbolises the material world; as you walk toward the tomb, you are freed from the bonds of the self and from worldly desires, and by climbing up to the iwan you seem to reach a divine ascension. In addition, the exterior of the dome symbolises the sky and is cracked, like a dervish's hat.