Mashhad Iran, Silk Road

 

Mashhad lies in the Kashaf River valley, flanked by the Binalud and Hezar Masjed Mountains, in the farthest reaches of northeastern Iran. It marks the fifth country on this journey. Initially a small village overshadowed by the nearby city of Ṭūs, it gained prominence for its shrine, Imam Reza, where the religious leader Imam Ali al-Rida and the Abbasid caliph Harun al-Rashid (both 8th–9th century) are buried. Over time, Mashhad became an important pilgrimage site, a significance that endures to this day as Iran's holiest city.

One of the most renowned explorers to visit Mashhad was Ibn Battuta, a Moroccan traveller and scholar of the 14th century. By pursuing religious knowledge and adventure, he journeyed through much of the Islamic world, including Persia. His extensive travels spanned 29 years, covering what is now the equivalent of 44 modern countries and 75,000mi (120,000km) across much of continental Asia (excluding Siberia and the Russian region) and parts of Africa. He documented his journeys in the Rihla, a travelogue providing detailed accounts of the places and cultures he encountered.

Ibn Battuta began his travels alone, riding a donkey on a pilgrimage to Mecca. Along the way, he faced many threats from bandits and narrowly escaped execution. He eventually joined caravans of pilgrims and traders for safety. During his pilgrimage, he visited Mashhad in 1333. He described the town as large, with abundant fruit trees, streams, and mills. He was particularly impressed by the majestic Imam Reza mausoleum. It is notable for its gilded dome and stunning Persian-Islamic tile work featuring geometric patterns, floral motifs, and calligraphic inscriptions.

The city is also closely associated with Ferdowsi (Abu'l-Qâsem Ferdowsi Tusi), a 10th-century Persian poet from nearby Ṭūs. Ferdowsi is best known for his epic poem, the Shahnameh (The Book of Kings), which chronicles Persian history and mythology in 50,000 rhyming couplets. This monumental work, one of the longest poems ever written by a single author, took him 33 years to complete.