Discovering Iran, Part 2

"QUANTUM SHOT" #377
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Also read Part 1

Richly-textured land, rarely seen in the West

Outside of politics, this is a fascinating, enchanting world, rarely shown in all its color. Since our first part we received many requests to continue with the series, and in fact, we'll continue to highlight the natural beauty of Near and Middle East countries, such as Armenia, Lebanon and Israel. In our humble opinion, people should learn to appreciate natural beauty and historic customs, without reaching for a "telescopic finder" of a rifle.

"Armenian Church Maryam-e Moghadas (The Holy Mary)", photo by Peter Kerber

"Woods of Mazanderan", photo by Zohreh Ghaemi

"Oroumieh Lake", photo by Hamid Sedghinejad

Good place for Star Wars pod racing:

"Saayeh khosh formations in Southern Iran", photo by Sizif

Switzerland? Not quite:

"A mansion in Uramanat" Photo: paveh2005

"Sobatan Village - Ardebil", photo by Ali Vakilirad

"A Stream in the Golestan Province", photo by Avahid

Majestic Daryaasaar mountains:

Photo: Babak A. Tafreshi

"In Alam Kooh Mountains", photo by MountainZone

Play of geometric forms inside the mosque:

"Emam Mosque - Isfahan", photo by Sergej Marsnjak

Akhavan Residence

500 BC. Gold Achaemenid Lion (Persian treasures) -

photo by Afra Zomorodian

Incredibly intricate stone carvings:

Prayer niche at Isfahan Friday Mosque

"Golden doors of Shah-e Cheragh Shrine", photo by Shahram Razavi

Persian Miniature by Bagher Aghamiri

"Shahzadeh Gardens", photo by Shahram Razavi

Incredible bridge over Zaayandeh River in Isfahan, worthy to join our "Most Interesting Bridges" series -

Another awesome bridge: Trans-Iranian railway bridge, Mazanderan:

photo by Maziyar Pazouki

Karaj (Near Tehran), photo by Mohammad Reza Tavajjoh

"Oroomieh - NW Iran", photo by Mohammad Hamidi

Fortress of Babak Khorramdin - N.W. Iran:
(good place for a duel between Gandalf and Balrog)

"Sistan & Baluchestan province", photo by Bahram Emami

Snow in Tehran:

Tehran & the nearby mountains:

photo by Reza Babri

Mirrors have a special spiritual significance in Iranian culture. Newlyweds traditionally sit before the mirror, and the first things to bring into the new house must be the Holy Quran and the ornamental mirror: