The exquisite beauty of Iran
From intricate tiles to expansive gardens, Iran’s beauty defies easy description. In this post I offer a glimpse of landscapes, holy sites and design, paying quiet tribute to a suffering people while simply sharing what I found so exquisitely beautiful in their country in 2019.
The testimony of pilgrims has been historically important. Those who have a personal experience of a place can influence how it is perceived by others and therefore have a responsibility to speak up when it is being misrepresented.
In 2019, I had the best holiday of my life in Iran. Every person I met was kind, hospitable and curious. It was a privilege to meet every one of them and to see a little of this beautiful country’s culture and heritage.
I do not intend this to be a political post, although it pains me that the people of Iran (and indeed Palestine) are suffering so unjustly. Instead, I share a few photographs of my trip to showcase some of what I found so beautiful in this country.
The Persian aesthetic is so refined I often found myself absorbed in detail rather than the bigger picture. I also found it difficult to capture images of the holy places, historical sites and gardens in a way that did them justice. But take my word for it, the country is culturally (and geographically) massive. Iran has 30 UNESCO World Heritage properties: 28 cultural and 2 natural, with the latest addition inscribed in 2026.
The image at the top of this piece speaks to artistry and care, and the love of God, that the Persians apply to even the most mundane things.
I hope these pictures give you a nudge to visit Iran on a sacred journey as soon as it is safe to do so. If you would like to be connected with a brilliant local guide in Iran please reach out or visit 8 Pilgrims.
Namaste.
You might also like:
→ Iran: extraordinary beauty, culture, refinement and hospitality
→ Some of my favourite Islamic sites
→ What is a sacred travel consult?
© Paul McCarthy & Iluminar.au
