By Afshin Majlesi

Ten gorgeous mosques to visit in Iran

TEHRAN – Cascades of photogenic domes and minarets can be seen in every corner of Iran as inseparable elements of mosques some of which widely known as timeless benchmarks of the Islamic architecture.

Restoration of Nezamieh minarets complete by 75 percent

TEHRAN - Restoration of Nezamieh minarets, which are striking specimens of the indigenous Islamic architecture of the time, is complete by 75 percent after less than two months of work.

Discover top five Russian folk crafts

Torzhok’s goldwork embroidery, Yelets lace, Nizhny Tagil’s decorative trays, Fedoskino lacquer miniatures and Rostov enamel: we will tell you where to go to learn about traditional Russian crafts and buy original souvenirs. Let’s get started, or as the Russians say — Poekhali!

By Afshin Majlesi

Islamic architecture? Sure, but Na’in’s old mosque offers so much more

Well regarded for its hospitable people, handicrafts, and ancient qanats (manmade subterranean aqueducts that brings water from the mountains), Na’in dates back to nearly 2000 years, which makes it one of the oldest continuously settled towns in the Iranian plateau.