SHIRAZ

Located in southwestern Iran, Shiraz is the capital city of Fars Province. A metropolis, Shiraz is one of the largest cities in Iran; its population was 1,565,572 in 2016. Due to its central position in the SouthernZagros Region and as it is located in a fairly fertile region; it has always been a bustling center for commerce. It is also the gate to reach the southern provinces of Iran, including Booshehr. However, its attractions go far beyond its commercially and logistically strategic location and extend to history, art, culture, religion and science. Shiraz is famous for poetry and its gardens. Gardens are pivotal in Iranian architecture and culture, and beautiful gardens have made Shiraz global popular. In its turbulent history, Shiraz reached a time of property and peace during the governance of Karim Khan Zand when many momentums of Zandiyeh Complex currently located in the city center, were constructed over 13 years.
In the beginning of the current century, Shiraz was the focus of attention for American and European archeologists and tourists. Professor Pope, presented great services to this city by studying Persepolis and
other ancient and artistic momentums of Fars Province.
According to Professor Arthur Pope’s book The Old Handicrafts of Iran; handicrafts had great influence in Shiraz. Shiraz is internationally renowned for its inlaid art which is the main focus of handicrafts activity in Shiraz after weaving crafts. Vaki l Grand Bazaar has different embranchments such as Sarrajan (saddlers),
Shamhirgar ( swordsmiths ), Mesgari (coppersmiths). The Bazaar has currently saved its original embranchment arrangements. For example Sarayehajaghajani has 7 production Leather embroidered workshops. Bazaar Mesgarha (coppersmiths Bazaar) has 5 active shops. According to the information recorded on the handicrafts Permit System, 13000 personal production licenses are issued in Shiraz. They usually have several apprentices at their workshops. Workshops that have personal production licenses are among smaller
workshops. There are 200 large production workshops that have high standards and extended large – scale production activities. Weaving handicrafts category tops with the largest number of craftspeople in Shiraz. The
activity l icenses of these craftspeople are categorized as household jobs because most of them are active at their houses and do not owe workshops. There are 3,700 household jobs in the field of weaving handicrafts. So there are at least 20,000 licensed handicrafts people active in Shiraz.