TOP Tours of Zourkhaneh, Ancient Gym of Iran
In Yazd, Isfahan, Tehran, or Shiraz, spice up your Iran Tour with a visit to one of the descendants of the world’s first gyms: a Zoorkhaneh (also spelled as Zourkhaneh and Zurkhaneh)! Dating back to over 3000 years ago in ancient Persia, these athletic centers connect you to the spirit of Iranian patriotism, heroism, and mysticism. The ancient Iranian sport club and its heroic rituals, Pahlavani (intangible UNESCO heritage as the longest-running form of heroic training), beautifully represent different aspects of Persian culture. On a Zoorkhaneh Tour in Iran, you’ll discover the enchanting way Iranians have been training noble warriors of physical and spiritual strength, as you get enchanted by the rhythm of Persian drum and the chants of Persian epic, legend, and spirituality.
Zoorkhaneh Tours
Here are our Zurkhaneh Tours, some few hours of fun, charm, and cultural adventure in four main cities around Iran: Isfahan, Yazd, Shiraz, and Tehran.
What You Experience on a Zoorkhaneh Tour
Traditional Zourkhaneh Rituals & Performances
The captivating collection of rituals you’ll witness on your Zourkhaneh Tour is quite a spectacle. The modesty-fostering entrance and permission rituals, the intriguing part when the Murshed rings the bell and starts the rhythmic beat of his drum and songs, and the performances of coordinated movements in the Gowd (the pit used as the training ground) are just unforgettable. You could call Zoorkhaneh exercises a kind of traditional Iranian martial art.
Zourkhaneh Equipment
On your Zoorkhaneh tour, you’ll also learn about the traditional equipment for training ancient Persian athletes and how to use them. You’ll become familiar with Sang (heavy wooden boards resembling battle shield), Takhteh Sheno (push-up board), Meel (Persian club), and Kabbadeh (heavy arch and a chain resembling a bow).
Zourkhaneh Equipment
On your Zoorkhaneh tour, you’ll also learn about the traditional equipment for training ancient Persian athletes and how to use them. You’ll become familiar with Sang (heavy wooden boards resembling battle shield), Takhteh Sheno (push-up board), Meel (Persian club), and Kabbadeh (heavy arch and a chain resembling a bow).
Special Zourkhaneh Music and Songs
One of the unique aspects of a Zourkhaneh tour is listening to the enchanting combination of a simple percussion instrument and rich Persian Poetry. The beat of Murshed’s Zarb (Persian drum) will take you to a world of heroism and mysticism that’s in harmony with its accompanying mystic or epic poetry and heroic performances.
Becoming a Pahlevan
Like to step into the Gowd (the exercise area) and experience the ancient rituals yourself? After the energetic performances, you can get in the Gowd and challenge yourself into copying the movements you’ve been watching. Trying the heavy equipment on your Zoorkhaneh Tour will give you a joy that makes the experience sweetly memorable. The photos of you posing as a tough Pahlevan carrying the equipment would also be cool.
Becoming a Pahlevan
Like to step into the Gowd (the exercise area) and experience the ancient rituals yourself? After the energetic performances, you can get in the Gowd and challenge yourself into copying the movements you’ve been watching. Trying the heavy equipment on your Zoorkhaneh Tour will give you a joy that makes the experience sweetly memorable. The photos of you posing as a tough Pahlevan carrying the equipment would also be cool.
Tailor-Made Zoorkhaneh Tour
We have done our best to consider both your various tastes and Iran’s immense potentials to craft the best possible Iran Zoorkhaneh Tours for you. Yet, if you’d like your excursion trip to be different in any way or in any other corner of Iran, we will be more than happy to help you create it.
The Story Of Zoorkhaneh
Zoorkhaneh was born out of the military demands of Achaemenid Persia and the Zoroastrian belief that physical and mental strength are keys to spiritual strength. After the arrival of Islam, Zurkhaneh spread its new roots in Islamic mysticism and Sufism. And the first Shia leader, Imam Ali, became known as the patron of Zourkhaneh. With heroism, patriotism, morality, courtesy, modesty, and generosity as its main values, a Zoorkhaneh was a place to create Pahlevans, real heroes of physical, mental, and spiritual strength. These athletic heroes were Iran’s respectable public servants. Now a Zurkhaneh is a combination of ancient rituals, physical training, Persian music, epic stories of Shahnameh of Ferdowsi, verses of Hafez and Rumi, and poems in praise of God. Join us for an exploration through all these on a Zoorkhaneh Tour.
Some Moments of a Zourkhaneh Tour
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Comments
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Nice decoration!
Isn’t this sport bothering for kids?
Greetings dear Silva. No, of course not. This sport has nothing to do with aggression or even marshal arts. It’s just a traditional version of body building.
Is this tour available all seasons?
Hi. yes, of course.
Hi, can I take part in this tour as a solo traveler?
Hi. Hope you’re fine. Of course bro. Have a good time.
Hello. Sincere regards to Persia. May I ask what’s the story behind those portraits in Zourkhaneh?
Greetings from Persia to dear Ben. These portraits mostly belong to traditional famous champions of Iran (known as pahlavans).
Hi. Thank you for your informative website. What does the word “Zourkhane” mean?
Hello there. It is very kind of you. The word “Zourkhane” is a compound word, consisted of two simple words (Zour and Khane). The word “Zour” Means strength and the word “Khane” means house. The mix of these together represents zourkhane as a house of strength.
How long does this show take?
Almost an hour.
Sounds interesting. So the equipment are like weapons, should we get ready to fight? LOL
It is interesting. The equipment remind the visitors war, but it’s good thing we use them for peace. Thank you for your interesting comment.
Hi, to be in Zootkhaneh, do we need to wear special clothes?
Are we allowed to take a video in zoorkhane?
Absolutely. Feel free.
Hey there! I just read about zoorkhane and definitely I will take this tour in my trip to Iran. Just wanted to know is the show different in different cities?
Hi there. Good question. Generally the performance is the same, just some small details are different.