in the Kashaf-rud valley , a tributary of Harlrud , between the Binalud and Hezar Masjid mountains in a rich agricultural region. For centuries , it has been an important trade center and junction point on caravan routes and highways from India to Iran and from north to south between Turkistan towns and Sea of Oman. Although much of Khorasan is mountainous , there are many fertile valleys , and the province produces large quantities of fruit , nuts , sugar beet and cotton. Mashhad is connected to Tehran by two roads (875 km. , southern and 925 kin. northern) , railway and air. It occupies a position in the northeast of the country very similar to that of Tabriz in the northwest. Both cities , besides being relatively close to the frontiers , stand on what have often proved to be invasion routes. In consequence , Mashhad (with 1 ,820 ,631 inhabitants) , like Tabriz , has frequently been attacked and sometimes captured by hostile forces. Actually , the whole province of Khorasan has been the funnel through which armies have passed from time immemorial.

Once on the ground , the traveler is fascinated by the golden cupolas and minarets. It is interesting to know that the word Mashhad or more correctly Mashhad-e Moqaddas (the Holy Mashhad) literally means place of martyrdom (or place of burial of a martyr). However , the Shrine of Imam Reza and the surrounding buildings do together comprise one of the marvels of the Islamic world. Under certain constraints it is perfectly possible even for the non-Muslim to visit it; going to Iran and not doing so is a little like going to Italy and missing Vatican. The shrine itself is strictly closed to non-Muslims (save under exceptional circumstances with the special permission of the religious authorities , applied for through the Tourist Office) , but it is not generally a problem to visit the rest of the complex , so long as you don't try to enter any of the buildings. You will have to dress extremely conservatively and behave yourself impeccably , and you should avoid visiting during large religious gatherings or in the main pilgrimage season (late June to mid July).

Important places : Shrine of Imam Reza Imam Reza , heir to the Abbasid Caliphate as well as eighth of the Shiite Imams , died in what was then the village of Sanabad in 817 A.D. after eating some grapes. The story spread that he had been poisoned on the orders of the Caliph Ma'mun after having in some way arousing his enmity. Whatever the truth , Ma'mun buried him in a tower in Sanabad next to the tomb of his own father , the famous Harun-al Al Rashid , and in time this burial place began to attract Shiite pilgrims.     Nader Shah , is an enigmatic figure in Iranian history. Although he restored national independence and effectively protected Iran's territorial integrity at a dark moment of the country's history , his obsessive suspicions and jealousies plunged Iran into political turmoil , and after his assassination in 1747 the Afshar dynasty he established proved short-lived. A Sunni by upbringing , he was nevertheless a great benefactor of the Shrine of the Imam Reza in Mashhad , which he made his capital. Ferdowsi tomb         The Mausoleum of Khaje Rabi , who was one of the Prophet's companions. At the end of a long alley of plane-trees , an elegant octogonal building with four porches overlooked by a large cupola decorated with a string course of calligraphy.

	Birjand Archaeological Museum(1992) Birjand, Moalem Ave., Akbariyeh Garden Tel: 0561-30151-3 Spring and summer: 9:00-17:00 Autumn and winter: 7:30-16:30 Closed on Saturdays and public and religious holidays Archaeological

	Birjand Ethnological Musuem(1993) Birjand, Moalem Ave., Akbariyeh Garden Tel: 0561-30151-3 Spring and summer: 9:00-17:00 Autumn and winter: 7:30-16:30 Closed on Mondays and public and religious holidays Ethnological

	Carpets Museum of the Holy Shrine of Emam Reza(1993) Mashhad, Holy Shrine of Emam Reza Tel: 0511-2258001-4 8:00-13:00 Closed on feasts and public and religious holidays Carpets from the 11th century AH to the present

	Central Museum of the Holy Shrine of Emam Reza(1945) Mashhad, Holy Shrine of Emam Reza Tel: 24570 Spring and summer: 8:00-17:00 Autumn and winter: 8:00-16:00 Closed on feasts and public and religious holidays First tombstone of Eman Reza (pbuh) dated 516 AH, pre-and post-Islamic coins, black stone water trough…, library

	Gonabad Museum(1997) Gonabad, ku-ye Sharqi (Qasabeh Shahr), Cultural Heritage Complex (Jame` Mosque) Tel: 053572-3775 9:00-12:00, 17:00-19:00 Closed on Mondays and religious holidays Qoran manuscripts, coins, metal and ceramic ware, architectural inscriptions prayer niches.

	Khorasan Natural History Museum(1998) Mashhad, Azadi Ave., Shahid Beheshti Teachers’ College Tel: 0511-883094-7 8:30-11:30 & 14:00-18:00 Fridays: 9:00-21:00 Closed on mourning days Chemistry, physics, mathematics and natural history

	Naderi Museum(1963) Mashhad, Shohada crossroads Tel: 0511-2224888 8:00-16:00 Closed on public and religious holidays Weapons from Afshar and Qaja periods.

	Nayshabur Museum(1995) Nayshabur, Khayam Sq., Robat-e Shah- `Abbasi Tel: 0551-2222039 8:00-13:00, 16:00-20:00 Closed on Mondays and public and religious holidays Archaeological

	Qoran’s Museum of the Holy Shrine of Emam Reza(1985) Mashhad, Holy Shrine of Emam Reza Tel: 0511-2258001-4 8:00-13:00 Closed on feasts and public and religious holidays Superb Qor’ans and calligraphic speciments; library

Quchan Ethnological Museum(1997) Quchan, Azadi Sq. Tel: 0581-275723 Spring and summer: 8:30-12:00 & 14:30-19:00 Autumn and winter: 8:00-12:00 & 15:00-17:00 Closed on Fridays and religious holidays Ethnological

Stamps Museum of the Holy Shrine of Eman Reza(1990) Mashhad, Holy Shrine of Emam Reza Tel: 0511-2258001-4 Spring and summer: 8:00-17:00 Autumn and winter: 8:00-16:00 Closed on feasts and public and religious holidays Iranian and froreign stamps, first Iranian postage stamps dated 1247 AS (1868), the famous Victor Costin Stamp dated 1280 AS (1901), a half stamp from Nasser-ed Din Shah’s period…; library.

	The Holy Shrine of Emam Reza’s Museum of Presents donated to the Supreme Leader of the(1994) Mashhad, Holy Shrine of Emam Reza Tel: 0511-2258001-4 8:00-13:00 Closed of feasts and religious holidays Paintings, carpets, handicrafts, crystal wares, manuscripts.

Toos Museum(1982) Mashhad, Toos, next to Ferdowsi’s mausoleum Tel: 0512-248336 8:00-17:00 Closed on public and religious holidays Archaeological and ethnological