اردکان

Ardakan (Persian: اردكان‎, also Romanized as Ardakān) is the capital city of Ardakan County, Yazd Province, Iran. At the 2016 census, its population was 75,271 in 22,475 families.
 
Ardakan is the second major city of Yazd Province. It was established in the 12th century in the Zardug region. Ardakan is 60 kilometres away from Yazd, and it has dry weather.
 
The word Ardakan in Persian means "holy place" or "clean place" (Modern Persian: arda+kan / Middle Persian: arta+gan) and the city has a lot of historical religious attractions such as the Grand Mosque of Ardakan (Masjed-e Jame’), Zire-deh Mosque and etc.
This region is one of the Zoroastrian centres of Iran, and there are numerous holy sites for Zoroastrians in Sharif-Abad. Each summer thousands of Zoroastrians from around the world gather there for pilgrimage.
 
The most important shrine is Pir-e Sabz Chek Chek. Other shrines include Pir Shah Eshtad Izad, Pir Shah Tashtar Izad, Pir Shah Mehr Izad and Pir Shah Morad.
 
It is also a famous type of carpet found around the world.

Ardakan is the birthplace of former Iranian president, SeyyedMohammad Khatami.