Saheb al-Zaman Zurkhaneh: Traditional Sports in Yazd
The Best Place to Learn about Ancient Bodybuilding Sports in Yazd
Tourist attractions worldwide are divided into specific categories. They include museums, parks, historical monuments, and natural attractions in various forms. However, some attractions are unique to a specific country or geographical region, and we have only one option to visit them. Zurkhaneh and its related sports are one of the unique attractions of our country, Iran.
Foreign tourists are especially interested in the Zurkhaneh environment and sports when visiting Iran. One of the most famous Zurkhaneh in Iran is in the historical city of Yazd.
Saheb al-Zaman Zurkhaneh in Yazd, in the Amir Chakhmaq neighborhood, hosts many enthusiastic domestic and foreign tourists about Zurkhaneh sports daily. Today, we will introduce you to the largest Zurkhaneh in Yazd.
Contents
Introduction of Saheb al-Zaman Zurkhaneh
Saheb al-Zaman Zurkhaneh is one of the most famous Zurkhaneh in Iran. It is located in the heart of the Amir Chakhmaq historical complex in Yazd. This Zurkhaneh is the result of the conversion of an old water reservoir that had fallen into disuse after the development and change of the water supply system.
The five windmill water reservoirs in the Amir Chakhmaq historical complex are 500 years old and belong to the Ilkhanid period.
This reservoir had become abandoned after the city water was connected. In 1999, Pahlavan Ali Darhami, considering the age and grandeur of this building, and after 30 years of follow-up, received permission from the Yazd Department of Endowments and Cultural Heritage to convert it into a zurkhaneh. After two years of effort and renovation, Saheb al-Zaman Zurkhaneh was opened on four floors in 2001.
Saheb al-Zaman Zurkhaneh: The Oldest Bodybuilding Sport in the World
Zurkhaneh, or ancient sports, refers to a set of sports movements with and without equipment and their associated customs and traditions that have been prevalent in Iran’s historical and cultural area since ancient times.
The German Brockhaus Encyclopedia introduces Zurkhaneh as the oldest bodybuilding sport in the world. Exercise and performing heroic movements were among the main daily activities of Iranians in ancient times.
Some people believe that Zurkhaneh men also studied martial arts in ancient times and say that the ancient tools and sports had a striking resemblance to the weapons of ancient times. With the Zurkhaneh mace and wooden pole, the hefty shield and board known as the stone, the Zurkhaneh bow, and the Zurkhaneh Kabade with which they developed muscles.
Sights of Saheb al-Zaman Zurkhaneh
It can be delightful to watch athletes performing ancient sports movements and listen to the poems of the elders in the pleasant voice of the mentor.
This experience takes us deep into the turbulent history of this land and makes us think for a moment. In the Saheb al-Zaman Zurkhaneh of Yazd, the Golrizan ceremony, wrestling, and ancient and heroic sports movements such as catching stones, playing with weights, spinning, kicking, etc., are performed using equipment such as a mace, wooden spear, board and shield, Kabade, etc.
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Attractions Around Saheb al-Zaman Zurkhaneh
Yazd offers diverse attractions, from the historic Jameh Mosque and the Amir Chakhmaq complex to the bustling traditional bazaars. This vibrant city has something for everyone.
| Nearby restaurants | |
| Parsa Restaurant | 62 m |
| Mashti Cafe | 84 m |
| Baba Ali Breakfast Room | 101 m |
| C2 Fast Food | 104 m |
| Nearby Hotels | |
| Yazd Traditional Hotel | 89 m |
| Khaneh Kheshti Hotel | 263 m |
| Vali Yazd Traditional Hotel | 278 m |
| Khaneh Torab Ecolodge – Yazd | 330 m |
| Nearby Sightseeing places | |
| Amir Chakhmaq Square | 0 m |
| Palm Tree Amir Chakhmaq Square | 11 m |
| Amir Chakhmaq Complex | 68 m |
| Ab Anbar Seti Fatemeh Square Amir Chakhmaq Square | 84 m |
Time to visit the Saheb al-Zaman Zurkhaneh
- Visiting hours: 8 am to 9 pm (except Fridays and public holidays)
- Entrance ticket price: You need to contact reception
- Address: Yazd, Amir Chakhmaq Square, Mazari Bazaar Alley, Saheb al-Zaman Zurkhaneh in Yazd
- Location on Google Maps
The Best Time to Visit the Saheb al-Zaman Zurkhaneh
Given Yazd’s arid and desert nature, spring and autumn are the best seasons to visit. On an autumn evening, you can see the Saheb al-Zaman Zurkhaneh and feel lighthearted from the spiritual atmosphere there at sunset.
Conclusion
As you step into the enchanting Amir Chakhmaq Square in Yazd, your eyes will be drawn to the Five Windmill Reservoir, nestled in a corner. This reservoir, a relic from the Ilkhanid period, has stood the test of time for nearly 500 years. Once a vital part of the city’s water system, it reminds us of our historical roots.
Meanwhile, a significant transformation was underway. Pahlavan Ali Darhami, a man of vision and determination, spent 30 years obtaining a permit to repurpose this building in 1999. His efforts bore fruit, and the reservoir began its journey of metamorphosis into a zurkhaneh. After two years of dedicated work, the doors of the zurkhaneh were finally opened, marking a significant step forward in preserving our cultural heritage.
In this Zurkhaneh, they perform zurkhaneh sports, which are performed in 40-minute to one-hour sessions. Be sure to adjust your visit schedule according to the following times so that you can see the different stages of the sport in full.
FAQs about Saheb al-Zaman Zurkhaneh
Where is Saheb al-Zaman Zurkhaneh?
Saheb al-Zaman Zurkhaneh of Yazd is Yazd, Amir Chakhmaq Square, Mazari Bazaar Alley
What are the visiting hours for Saheb al-Zaman Zurkhaneh?
Visiting hours are 8 am to 9 pm (except Fridays and public holidays)
What year was Saheb al-Zaman Zurkhaneh launched?
Saheb al-Zaman Zurkhaneh was launched in 2001.
