Shiraz

Shiraz, the capital of the province of Fars, Persia, stands in a high valley, 115 miles N.E. of Bushahr. The city itself is cramped and dirty, but has a good bazaar, some handsome mosques, and a few fine private houses. In the neighbourhood are the famons rose-gardens, fruit orchards, and vineyards celebrated by the poets Hafiz and Sa'di, whose tombs lie in their midst. It was probably founded in the 8th century, and has once or twice been the capital of the Empire.