The city of Kerman lies in south-eastern Iran, on the edge of the Kavir-e-Lut Desert, and is the capitol of the Kerman province, which has about half a million inhabitants. Its geographical isolation has ensured the preservation of many monuments – there is said to be 90 mosques – and a 15th century mausoleum in nearby Mahan is said to be the most beautiful building in Iran.

Like Yazd to the northwest, Kerman has a large population of Zoroastrians, who adhere to Iran’s ancient religion, which in other places has been replaced by Islam. The silhouette of Kerman is characterised by its wind towers – chimney like constructions used to catch every breeze and lead them down to the inner parts of the house. Kerman has an ancient textile tradition, and shawls were woven through large parts of the 19th century.