The Most misunderstood country in the world | Wonders of Iran 🇮🇷

Welcome to Iran, a country many only know from headlines. Beyond political images exists a world of millennia-old history, unique architecture and magnificent landscapes. Here, where great empires of humanity emerged, unfolds a land of contrasts. Today we discover the side of Iran that is rarely in focus, its landscapes, its cities and its cultural heritage. Iran has only been officially called this since the 20th century. Before that it was known as Persia. One of the greatest empires in history emerged here. The Persian Empire under Cyrus the Great was one of the most powerful of antiquity. Geographically it connects the Middle East, Central Asia and South Asia and many of its cities lie between mountains and deserts. Cities made of clay dominate entire regions and just over half the country is covered by mountains. The landscape diversity here ranges from the hottest deserts in the world to forests millions of years old. We begin today in northern Iran, a region characterised by strong contrasts. Here lies Tehran, one of the largest cities in the Middle East, at the foot of mighty mountain ranges. Mount Damavand, the highest mountain in Iran and the highest volcano in Asia, its snow-covered conical shape rises isolated above the Alborz Mountains and is visible from Tehran on clear days. Tabriz lies in northwestern Iran and was an important hub along the Silk Road for centuries. The heart of the city is its historic bazaar, one of the largest covered markets in the world. Vaulted halls, brick arches and narrow passages show how trade and architecture were interconnected. Even today merchants here sell carpets, spices and handcrafted goods. Not far away lies the village of Kandavan, whose houses are built directly into volcanic rock formations. The cone-shaped structures are reminiscent of Cappadocia but here they are still inhabited today. Doors, windows and stairs are carved directly into the stone. Directly west of the city stretches Lake Urmia, once one of the largest salt lakes on Earth. Its white shores and intensely blue or reddish water show a fragile landscape constantly changing through climate and water levels. Southeast of this region, Tehran awakens as a city of dimensions. More than 15 million people live in the metropolitan area, whose buildings spread to the slopes of the Alborz Mountains. Among residential areas, highways and parks rises the Milad Tower, at over 430 metres, one of the country's tallest structures. From above, Tehran's size becomes clear. High-rises, mosques and endless road networks stretch to the horizon, while snow-covered mountains rise behind them. The Golestan Palace lies in Tehran's historic centre and is one of the city's oldest preserved royal complexes. The compound consists of several palaces, gardens and reception halls that combine traditional Persian architecture with European influences. The palace was not only a residence but also a political centre, where important decisions were made. Today the complex lies in the middle of modern Tehran. High-rises surround the walls, but inside another era remains palpable, a place that makes the continuity of Persian history visible. The Grand Bazaar of Tehran is a network of covered alleys extending several kilometres. For centuries, it has formed the economic heart of the city. Merchants here sell carpets, spices, jewellery, fabrics and everyday goods. The bazaar is more than a market. It is a social meeting point, workplace and cultural space all at once. Conversations, negotiations and encounters shape daily life. Those who walk through the bazaar experience a side of Tehran that has barely changed. Among the sounds and smells, it becomes visible how strongly tradition and everyday life remain connected, even in the centre of a modern metropolis. Another iconic structure is the Azadi Tower, a tower resembling a triumphal arch. In front of it is an open green plaza area of immense scale, offering visitors a green, peaceful oasis amid the hustle and bustle. Tehran stands in contrast to the rest of the country, modern and centuries-old at once, loud, lively and with unique recognition value. Now we travel further to the centre, where the air becomes drier and cultures meet. Here, gardens were created in the middle of the desert, houses with hidden courtyards and squares that are still full of life today. Kashan lies on the edge of Iran's great deserts and was an important stop for centuries for merchants travelling between the country's major cities. From outside, many buildings appear simple, almost inconspicuous, but behind heavy wooden doors open courtyards with fountains, gardens and artistic tiles. This architecture arose from the necessity to create protection from heat and simultaneously became a form of art. Historic public bathhouses, which were once a central part of daily and social life, now serve as museums of Persian history and architecture. In the middle of Kashan's dry landscape lies Fin Garden, one of the most famous Persian gardens. Upon entering, the atmosphere changes. Water flows through narrow channels and the heat seems distant for a moment. Kashan is not a place of grand monuments but of small details, a place where you feel how closely everyday life and architecture were connected. South of Kashan lies Isfahan, the city once considered the most beautiful in the world. It was one of the largest and most important cities in the world in the 17th century. Merchants, artists and travellers from Europe and Asia came here and many described the city as the pinnacle of Persian architecture. To this day, Isfahan carries this reputation. Wide boulevards, mosques with turquoise domes and centuries-old bridges characterise the cityscape. The Naqsh-e Jahan Square in the city centre is one of the largest historical squares in the world. When it was built in the 17th century, it was the centre of political power and economic activity. Rulers watched games and ceremonies from their palaces. Merchants sold their goods in the surrounding arcades. Today, the square is still full of life. People sit on the grass, children play and horse-drawn carriages slowly traverse the large open space. The square is surrounded by mosques, palaces and the entrance to the bazaar. The Siyo Saypol Bridge spans Isfahan's river with 33 uniform arches and is especially beautifully lit in the evening when light falls through the arches. Even when the river carries little water, the bridge remains a social place. The Karju Bridge also impresses with similar design. It combines function and beauty in a special way. It was built not only as a crossing, but also as a dam and meeting point. In Isfahan's Armenian Quarter stands the Vank Cathedral, an unusual place in a predominantly Muslim city. It was built in the 17th century by Armenian Christians who found a new home here. From outside, the building appears plain, but inside colourful frescoes cover the walls. The paintings show biblical scenes combined with Persian ornaments. This mixture reflects the cultural diversity that has shaped Isfahan for centuries. Isfahan still stands for beauty, but also diversity. Only a few hours from Isfahan, the sand dunes of Varzaneh begin. The transition is abrupt. Roads end, vegetation disappears, and sand dominates the landscape. The dunes constantly change their shape, moved by the wind blowing through central Iran. Here, the proximity of the desert becomes palpable, which has influenced life in this region for centuries. Further south, but still in central Iran, lies a landscape that tells of survival in the heat. Here, cities were created from clay, formed from the material the desert itself provided. Yazd's Old Town appears almost uniform at first glance. Buildings, walls and alleys consist of the same sand-coloured clay that changes with the desert light. In the morning, the walls appear light and soft. In the evening, they take on warm, darker tones. The narrow alleys were deliberately built to provide shade and keep heat away. Yazd is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. For centuries, it was an important stop for caravans travelling between Central Asia and the Persian Gulf. Here, the modern world seems to slow down, and it's easy to imagine what life looked like centuries ago. Above Yazd's rooftops, narrow towers reach into the sky, the so-called badgirs, or wind towers. Their purpose was simple but ingenious, to catch wind and direct it into the houses. Even in extreme heat, cooler air could enter the interior this way. On the city's edge stand the Towers of Silence on bare hills. These round, open structures were used by followers of Zoroastrianism, one of the world's oldest religions. According to their tradition, the elements of earth and fire should not be contaminated by burials. Instead, the deceased were left here to the sky. The Lut Desert is one of earth's most extreme places. Satellite measurements showed some of the highest surface temperatures ever recorded here. There is hardly any water, hardly any vegetation, hardly any sounds. In some areas, the ground appears black because volcanic rock stores the heat. The Lut shows a side of the planet that remains far from human settlement. In the middle stand the Kaluts, massive sand and clay formations shaped by wind over millennia. Their forms resemble walls, towers or entire cities. But the real eye-catcher is Ag Ebam, once one of the world's largest clay cities. For over a thousand years, people lived here within high walls, protected from the heat and dangers of the desert. The city consisted of residential houses, mosques, markets and a citadel on a hill. Everything was built from clay, the only material available in this environment. In 2003, a strong earthquake destroyed large parts of the complex. Since then, it has been slowly restored. Looking over the walls and towers, it becomes visible how large and complex this city once was. Now we continue to the south and southwest of Iran. Here lie the origins of one of antiquity's most powerful empires. Here emerged the capitals of the Achaemenids and later dynasties, whose influence once extended from Egypt to Central Asia. Shiraz is one of Iran's most famous cities and is often associated with poetry, gardens and a calmer way of life. Unlike the busy metropolises, Shiraz appears more open and personal. Wide avenues, old courtyards and historic buildings give the city a relaxed atmosphere. The Nasir al-Mulk Mosque, often called the Pink Mosque, is one of the city's most famous structures. Its name comes from the pink tiles covering large parts of the façade and interior. But its most impressive moment occurs in the early morning. When sunlight falls through the coloured glass windows, patterns of red, blue and yellow emerge on the floor. These light plays constantly change, depending on time of day and season. Despite its fame, it remains a place of calm where visitors walk quietly through the space and observe how colour and light move. North of the city lies Persepolis, once the ceremonial capital of the Persian Empire and one of antiquity's most important power centres. The complex was built over 2,500 years ago and still today stand massive columns, stairs and reliefs showing scenes from the empire's life. Particularly striking are the depictions of envoys from various regions bringing gifts. They show how large and diverse the empire was. Persepolis was destroyed in 330 BC, but the ruins still convey the scale of this place. To stand among the stones means to stand directly before the remains of one of history's most influential civilisations. Only a few kilometres from Persepolis lie the rock tombs of Naqsh-e Rostam. High in a vertical rock face, the burial chambers of Persian kings were created here. The entrances are carved cross-shaped into the stone and appear almost unreachable from a distance. In contrast to the testimonies of Persian history stands the Pink Mahalu Lake. South-east of Shiraz, it is known for its seasonally pink-coloured surface. Depending on the season, the lake can appear from light pink to deep red, showing that even amid the desert, colour prevails. Finally we head toward the Persian Gulf, also in southern Iran. Here the dry mainland meets the warm water of the Persian Gulf. Here the landscape changes again. Instead of desert cities and mountains, islands, rocky coasts and saline plains dominate the picture. Hormuz Island is one of Iran's most unusual landscapes and simultaneously one of the most diverse landscapes overall. Upon arrival, the intense colours are immediately striking. Hills glow in red, yellow and orange, caused by minerals and volcanic rock. Some beaches consist of reddish sand that stands out clearly against the blue water. The island appears calm and secluded. Small villages, simple roads and wide coasts determine life. Many areas are uninhabited and the landscape remains largely unchanged. Hormuz shows how diverse Iran's geology is, an island that seems more like another world than part of the mainland. Qeshm is the largest island in the Persian Gulf and no less diverse. Here steep rock formations, sandy beaches and mangrove forests alternate. Particularly impressive is the so-called Valley of the Stars, a landscape of eroded rocks shaped over millennia by wind and water. Their forms appear almost artificial, as if they were deliberately modelled. The island shows a calmer, nature-dominated side of Iran, far from the major cities in the interior. Qish Island differs significantly from other Persian Gulf islands. It was purposefully developed in recent decades and has modern infrastructure, hotels and wide coastal promenades. At the same time, the natural environment remains visible. Flat, clear water, coral areas and long beaches characterise the coast. The island appears much more modern than the rest of the country. Activities range from boat tours to skydiving. Nevertheless, the sea remains the central element. Sunrises and sunsets over the Persian Gulf show a calm, vast landscape that has remained unchanged for centuries. Here, at the country's edge, the desert ends in the sea, showing once more how diverse and surprising Iran's landscapes truly are. Thank you for watching. We hope you enjoyed the video as always. If so, please leave a like and subscribe. Until next time!