What does Iran look like without politics, persecution, and sanctions

The Republic of Iran occupies a territory slightly smaller than Alaska, with a population of 82.5 million people. Despite the recent increase in the interest of tourists — Muslims are interested in sacred sites, and others are attracted to ancient monuments-the country can not be called the most popular tourist destination. 

We decided to show the magical and charming photos of Iran.

The Grand Bazaar in Isfahan, the third largest city in the country.

Shah Cherah Mausoleum in Shiraz. The tomb was built in the XIV century.

Inside the mausoleum of Sheikh Sefi al-Din. The interior of the mausoleum, which was built in the XIV century by the son of the sheikh, is a rare example of medieval Islamic architecture.

A man weaves a pattern of silk on a hand loom in Yazd. Yazd is one of the most ancient cities in Iran, the first written records date back to the third millennium BC.

A skier climbs one of the peaks of Zagros — the largest mountain range in modern Iran.

Tiled wall decoration in the Nasir-ol Molk Mosque in Shiraz. The rose Mosque, as it is also called, was built in the XIX century and is one of the main attractions of the city.

Aerial view of the southern coast of Iran.

Tea house in Kerman.

Friday Mosque, or Jami Mosque, in the city of Isfahan. The mosque was founded in 771, but the construction was completed in the XX century.

Grand Bazaar in Isfahan.

Women during Friday prayers in the mosque of the Imam, built in the XVII century. Tourists are attracted by the unique acoustics of the building — you can hear a whisper from the farthest corner, as any sound or rustle echoes through the room 12 times.

The Kurdish village of Palangan. You can see that the houses are built on the roof of the lower houses. Also, the roofs of previous houses are often used as a courtyard.

Shah Cherah Mausoleum in Shiraz.

The ruins of a palace in the ancient Persian city of Persepolis, which appeared in the VI‑V centuries BC.

Women pray at the end of the holy month of Ramadan, Tehran.

The parrot is waiting for the next client to "tell fortunes on Hafiz". Hafiz Shirazi is a 14th-century Persian poet who is still revered and much loved in Iran. Near his mausoleum there are such merchants of fate-a parrot chooses an envelope with quotes from the works of Hafiz.

Inside the Golestan Palace in Tehran, which was built in the XVI century. Golestan is also called the Marble Palace, and in translation its name means "palace of roses".

The roofs of Sultan Amir Ahmad's traditional bathhouse in Kashan. They were built in the XVI century.

Dizin ski resort north of Tehran.

Pedestrian arch bridge over the Zayandeh River, the most water-bearing river in Iran. The bridge was built on the site of the old one in the XVII century.

Armenian choir in the suburb of Julfa in the city of Isfahan.

Inside the Cathedral of St. Christ the Saviour, also known as the Wank Cathedral, in Isfahan. In Armenian, "vank" means "monastery" or "abode".

A family rides a motorcycle past the Amir Chahmag complex, which is the facade of a mosque decorated with many arches. In front of the facade is a square with a fountain.

Relief sculpture of the Sphinx on one of the preserved walls of the palace in Persepolis.

The architectural symbol of Tehran — the Azadi Tower, or Freedom Tower, was built in 1971 in honor of the 2500 anniversary of the Persian Empire.

View of the ancient city of Bam.

Men in a hookah bar, Isfahan.

Stairs in the city of Persepolis.