In early May, 16 first- and second-year students from Empress Catherine II Saint Petersburg Mining University became the first in Russia to complete a scientific internship in Iran. Shiraz University organized a lecture course on cybersecurity for the future specialists, and professors from the university discussed scientific projects with the young St. Petersburg students, some of which have already begun or are planned for international collaboration. The students were also shown local production facilities, business incubators — organizations supporting startups, the Fars Science and Technology Park (FTSP), and the headquarters of the World Islamic Center for Scientific Citation (ISC). The students' trip marked another step in the large-scale collaboration between the Mining University and Shiraz University within the framework of the "Hope — Mobile Intelligence" program.
Despite their busy schedule, the students of the Mining University were able to explore the incredible culture of Shiraz. They visited the Nasir al-Mulk Mosque, also known as the Pink Mosque, the Narenjestan Qavam palace garden-museum, the garden with the tomb of Hazifa, the Jahan Nama garden, and Persepolis.
The Nasir al-Mulk Mosque, covering an area of 2,890 square meters, is located in the historical center of the city and impresses with its vibrant colors. It was built in the 19th century during the Qajar dynasty, at the request of one of the court aristocrats, the Minister of Finance and son of the city's mayor, Mirza Hasan Ali Nasir al-Mulk. The construction took 12 years and involved leading architects and artists from Shiraz, including Mohammad Hasan Memar and Mohammad Reza Kashipaz Shirazi.
The mosque showcases traditional elements of Islamic architecture: geometric shapes, ornaments, and tiles. The predominant color in its palette is pink, and the main motif of the structure is the rose, which is why the building is called the Pink Mosque. In 1966, the building was added to the list of Iran's historical heritage.
At the entrance to the Nasir al-Mulk Mosque, all women are required to wear special long fabrics — chadors. They must cover themselves from head to toe, leaving only the face exposed.
The most famous part of the complex is its western portico. This covered space is surrounded by 12 columns and decorated with painted tiles featuring rose images.
The courtyard of the mosque is decorated with seven-colored tiles, painted with verses from the Quran.
It is noteworthy that Nasir al-Mulk, unlike other Iranian mosques, does not have a dome. Some sources suggest that this may indicate that the building was a private space, closed off to the majority of people, although this theory is not confirmed by historians.
Shiraz is known as the city of poets and gardens, and one of them clearly demonstrates this combination. The garden with the tomb of the Persian lyric poet Hafez is always full of people who come to learn his story and immerse themselves in his poetry.
Hafez of Shiraz is called the prophet of love, art, and inner beauty. His tombstone, located in a picturesque garden, was built in 1452, has been restored several times, and was given its final form in 1935. The mausoleum consists of eight columns, symbolizing the century in which the poet lived. Iranians believe that the poems of Hafez predict the future.
«Hafez is the voice of the heart and soul. It is through his poetry that Shiraz became a symbol of love, flowers, and wine — subtle and eternal themes that permeate Persian culture. Hafez, with his philosophy full of mysteries and delicate allusions, holds a special place in the heart of every Iranian. His poems have become part of everyday life — they are read to find answers, inspiration, or comfort. People visit his tomb in Shiraz every day: to whisper his lines, immerse themselves in the silence of the garden, and feel the touch of immortal poetry. Inspired by Hafez, we feel how love and wisdom merge into the breath of time», — said Hamed Jafarpoor, the coordinator of Empress Catherine II Saint Petersburg Mining University’s joint scientific and educational programs with Iran, who accompanied the students on the trip.
Another historical garden, Jahan Nama, appears to be the perfect place to escape the heat: in May, the temperature in Shiraz reaches +35-37 degrees Celsius during the day. The abundance of trees, shrubs, and flowers, as well as the hous (or haze, a rectangular or octagonal water pool located along the axis of symmetry of the garden or in front of a pavilion), skillfully tame the sunlight, offering visitors coolness and tranquility.
Some historians claim that the Persian garden Jahan Nama was built during the Safavid dynasty, which ruled Iran in the 16th century, while other sources suggest it dates back to the Zand era in the 18th century. The landmark covers about five hectares and is located on the slope of a hill. At the center of the garden stands a mansion that served as a place for receiving guests and hosting official events.
An undeniable "gem" of the cultural program for the students of the Mining University was the visit to Persepolis — the ancient Persian city built in the 6th century BC, one of the capitals of the Achaemenid Empire. The city was captured by Alexander the Great in 330 BC and destroyed by fire.
In Persepolis, today one can see the remains of a palace complex covering 135,000 square meters and its religious structures. Unlike many ancient settlements, the city was built not by slaves, but by people from various corners of the Persian Empire, including Babylonia, Egypt, and Assyria. Persepolis became one of the first Iranian sites to be included in the UNESCO World Heritage list.
In the northwest part of the complex were the Gate of All Nations — the ceremonial entrance for foreign delegations and guests. Through this gate, visitors would enter the central halls of the palace complex.
At the center of the complex stands the Apadana — the palace of Darius I, elevated on a four-meter terrace. Two gentle staircases lead to it, wide enough for a chariot to pass. These staircases and the terrace of the Apadana are adorned with reliefs carved into stone slabs: on the outer side, there is a depiction of the royal guard’s ceremonial procession, while on the inner side, servants carry vessels, sheep, and other offerings. A similar scene can be found in the reliefs of the palace itself, where representatives of the conquered peoples are arranged in procession.
Behind the Apadana stood the Tripylon — likely another ceremonial hall of Persepolis. Nearby was the Hall of a Hundred Columns — a massive room, named after the number of column bases that have been preserved. On the sides of the portico stood stone figures of winged bulls — guardian creatures resembling the Assyrian Shedu, and eight gates were decorated with scenes from royal life and the king’s battles with mythical creatures.
To the right of the Apadana stood the Tachara — the residential palace of Darius I, of which only the foundation and lower parts of the walls with surviving bas-reliefs remain. In the southern part of the platform were the palace of Xerxes, living and utility rooms, as well as the royal treasury.
A unique feature of the complex is the inscriptions left by visitors on some of the structures, including in Russian. This is because, until the 1960s, entry to Persepolis was free, and the condition of its buildings was rarely monitored. As a result, some travelers managed to leave their "autographs" on the cultural heritage sites.
«Persepolis is not just an architectural monument; it is a symbol of the greatness and wisdom of an ancient civilization rooted in the heart of Iran. For us, Iranians, it embodies a five-thousand-year-old culture and identity, reflected in every column, bas-relief, and stone inscription. Here shines the legacy of our ancestors — 'Good thoughts, good words, good deeds' — as the foundation of moral life and human dignity. Visiting Persepolis is like having a conversation with history, with its nobility and depth; it is a journey to the roots of Iranian identity, woven into the fabric of time», — added Hamed Jafarpoor.
The deep love of Shiraz for art was evident at every turn: on the streets, in museums, and in shops, musicians were ready to surprise with a lyrical song at any moment. Students from Shiraz University organized a true cultural fair for their St. Petersburg guests, showcasing their creations — paintings, handmade jewelry, clay products, painted mirrors, and pottery.
«Despite the intensive schedule, we managed to familiarize ourselves with the cultural heritage sites of the Islamic Republic of Iran, such as Persepolis, the Nasir al-Mulk Mosque (Pink Mosque), and others. I would especially like to highlight our meeting with students from Shiraz University, during which we exchanged experiences about the learning process and the specifics of how the educational process is organized. Additionally, this meeting, as well as the training conducted in English, contributed to improving our language proficiency», — shared Radmila Mirsayapova, a student from the Department of Oil and Gas Transport and Storage.
«The cultural program, which included familiarization with the historical monuments of Shiraz and national traditions, contributed to a better understanding of the Iranian mentality and business culture. This is crucial for establishing effective international cooperation in the professional sphere», — added Anastasia Chebykina, a student studying chemical technologies and energy carrier processing.
The St. Petersburg students who visited Shiraz agreed that they did not expect to see such an impressive cultural heritage — mainly because Iran is not often mentioned in typical tourist brochures. Locals joke that they don't have to deal with crowds of tourists, so they can peacefully enjoy the splendor of their gardens, mosques, and ancient monuments.
The "Hope — Mobile Intelligence" project, which facilitated the scientific and educational trip to Iran for the students of the Mining University, is aimed at developing faculty and student scientific exchange and research mobility. Scientists from both universities are already working on joint research — both at the Mining University and Shiraz University, which agreed to organize scientific teams in early 2024.
