Jul 11, 2009, 6:38 PM

Qajar structure destroyed in Shiraz

TEHRAN, July 11 (MNA) -- An architectural structure comprising of several Qajar era buildings has recently been destroyed by Shiraz Municipality in order to convert it into a parking lot.

From the Khan School to the Moshir Line, the Qazi Bathhouse Alley, Haj Karim Sarraf passage, and the Eskandari Alley have been flattened at the area, which is part of a 360-hectare historical structure located in southern Shiraz, the Persian service of CHN reported on Friday.

According to experts, maybe each one of the buildings was not solely valuable, but together they formed an important structure.

An informed source, who requested anonymity, said that the Shiraz Municipality is responsible for the destruction.

“Although the destruction was done by the municipality, it is essential to ask did the Fars Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Department make any attempt to safeguard the structure? Moreover, why has it allowed the structure to be demolished so easily?” the source lamented.

He said that Fars Province officials had previously been informed about the importance of the historical area.

The integrity of many nearby monuments registered on the National Cultural Heritage List has also been damaged by the destruction.

MMS/YAW

END

MNA

News ID 34772