نراقی، حسن. آثار تاریخی شهرستانهای کاشان و نطنز. تهران: انجمن آثار و مفاخر فرهنگی، ١٣۷۴، چاپ اول، ۴۴۶ص.
Naraghi, Hasan. Athar-i Tarikhi-i Shahristanha-yi Kashan wa Natanz. Tehran: Anjuman-i Athar wa Mafakhir-i Farhangi, 1996, 1st ed., 446pp.
ABSTRACT
Historic Kashan and Natanz
آثار تاریخی شهرستانهای کاشان و نطنز
The main aim of this book is to provide a comprehensive guide to the historic elements of Kashan and Natanz. To this end the author has assembled scattered historical reports and accounts by travellers and tourists. The implicit aim is to recreate the past greatness of Kashan.
The book explains how a significant part of this past glory was destroyed as a result of political turmoil, as well as natural disasters such as earthquakes. The historic elements described range from archaeological discoveries in the Tepe Sialk through to contemporary times. There are detailed descriptions of the Fin Garden spring, and the Bagh-i Shah (Shah’s Garden). The lack of water in the region has led the author to highlight fountains and cisterns. However, the main focus is on historical texts and accounts of European orientalists about Kashan, Natanz, and Abyaneh. As these are mostly written in the manner of travelogues, they are lacking in attention to architectural details.
While the book has many illustrations, no architectural plans are included. Nonetheless, the author does attempt to provide an account of the current condition of Abyaneh, including the method of repairs, reconstruction, and/or changes in how buildings are used. In most cases, stone inscriptions and texts written on the entrances of remaining buildings have been documented. As a result, the work contains a noteworthy number of historic poems and texts. Also included are descriptions of rituals and cultures affiliated with holy shrines, such as the ceremony of rug washing in the village of Mashhad-i Ardihal. The “Notes” and Appendix section of the book consists of approximately one hundred pages on various issues, including accounts of some of Kashan’s current elders and prominent figures, as well as two articles about Kashan rugs.
This work is aimed at scholars and other readers interested in the relationship between culture and architecture.
Iradj Esmailpour Ghouchani
Translated by Niki Akhavan