Nishapur Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Nishapur نیشابور Neyshabur
Country	Iran
Province	Razavi Khorasan
County	Nishapur County
Elevation	1,250 m (4,100 ft)
Population (2005)
• Total	270,972
	Census
Time zone	UTC+3:30 (IRST)

Nishapur or Nishabur is a city in Razavi Khorasan Province, capital of the Nishapur County and former capital of Province Khorasan, in northeastern Iran, situated in a fertile plain at the foot of the Binalud Mountains. It had an estimated population of 239,185 as of 2011 and its county 433,105. Nearby are the turquoise mines that have supplied the world with turquoise for at least two millennia. The city was founded in the 3rd century by Shapur I as a Sasanian satrapy capital. Nishapur later became the capital of Tahirid dynasty and was reformed by Abdullah Tahir in 830, and was later selected as the capital of Seljuq dynasty by Tughril in 1037. From the Abbasid era to the Mongol invasion of Khwarezmia and Eastern Iran, the city evolved into a significant cultural, commercial, and intellectual center within the Islamic world. Nishapur, along with Merv, Herat and Balkh were one of the four great cities of Greater Khorasan and one of the greatest cities in the middle ages, a seat of governmental power in eastern of caliphate, a dwelling place for diverse ethnic and religious groups, a trading stop on commercial routes from Transoxiana and China, Iraq and Egypt.

Nishapur reached the height of its prosperity under the Samanids in the 10th century, but was destroyed and the entire population slaughtered by Mongols in 1221. This massacre, combined with subsequent earthquakes and other invasions are believed to have destroyed the pottery industry the city was known for.

Images for kids

A modern reconstruction of Nishapur in the Middle Ages shown in the edited version of the book History of Nishapur held in the National Library of Iran.
Tomb of Attar of Nishapur was built during the Timurid era (Built by the order of Ali-Shir Nava'i). Mausoleum of Attar of Nishapur is in the southern part of the city of Nishapur. Attar has had a profound influence on Sufism and Persian literature.
A decorated door with arabesque dating back to the Safvid Persia in Shah Abassi Caravanseray of Nishapur
A picture of the construction of Mausoleum of Omar Khayyam, on top of the Headstone of Omar Khayyam. This mausoleum was designed by Hooshang Seyhoun in the 20th century.
Turquoise of Nishapur (Madan-e Olya of Nishapur)
Qadamgah, a city and a Shia pilgrimage. It is historically part of the Greater Region of the city of Nishapur. It is now legally a separated county (Shahrestan) though its people have close ties and relatives with the main bigger city of Nishapur which is geographically close to it. Qadamgah used to be a part of the administrative county of Nishapur.
Gate of Omar Khayyam High School. Part of the national heritage of Iran.
A passenger train in Nishapur train station
Portal of an old store in 2013, Roofed Bazaar of Nishpaur
Nature of Nishapur, near Binalud Mountain Range
A poem in Persian written in Nasaliq script. This poem is written for/about the tomb of Omar Khayyam in Nishapur.
Chess set (Shatrang); Gaming pieces. 12th century, Nishapur glazed fritware
A tea tray served near the Garden of Mausoleum of Omar Khayyam
Bowl painted on slip under transparent glaze (polychrome), Nishabur, 9th or 10th century. National Museum of Iran, Tehran.
Bowl with Kufic Inscriptions found in the archeological excavations of Nishapur. The Middle East Institute's logo has been inspired by this bowl. This bowl is currently held in the Met.
Pottery of Nishapur in the Islamic Golden Age (10th - 11th century)
Pottery of Nishapur in the Islamic Golden Age (10th - 11th century)
Pottery of Nishapur in the Islamic Golden Age (10th - 11th century)
Pottery of Nishapur in the Islamic Golden Age (10th - 11th century)
Cup with votive inscriptions in Kufic script. Terracotta, slipped decoration on slip, underglaze painted. 10th-11th century, Nishapur. Metropolitan Museum of Art
Qadamgah Shia pilgrimage of Nishapur, Probably in 1960s or 50s
Tomb of Attar & Kamal ol Molk. Part of the national heritage list of Iran.
Fadhl Ibn Shazan tomb & mosque interior. Part of the national heritage list of Iran.
Imamzadeh Mahruq before 1900.
Tomb of Heydar Yaghma. Part of the national heritage list of Iran.
Exterior view of Shah Abbasi Caravansarai of Nishapur. Part of the national heritage list of Iran.
Entrance of the National Garden of Nishapur. Part of the national heritage list of Iran.
Dome of the Complex of Khayyam Planetarium, near Mausoleum of Omar Khayyam
The interior of the Wooden Mosque of Neyshabur
Monuments of the city gates of Nishapur which were built in the 1980s. Nishapur (2022). Part of the national heritage list of Iran.
Lak Lak Ashian Castle (Qajar Iran 19th century). Part of the national heritage list of Iran.
Khanate Mansion & Garden of Amin Islami. Part of the national heritage list of Iran.

Nishapur facts for kids

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