Khaf (The town of permanent legacies)
Khaf is located in the east of iran Khorasan Razavi Provience. It's neighbours Afghanestan country to the east, Gonabad town in the west, Taibad in the north east, Torbate Heydarieh and Roshtkhar in the north, and Ghayen town in the south.,
It's wideness is 9127 KM square meters. The population is more than 100000. 35 percent are living in towns and other in rural regions. There are more than 30 tribes in Khaf including, Kalali, Sarbazi, Golbaf, Bahluli, Arab, Zangane, and etc. Relegiously people are devided in two main groups. Sunis and Shiits.
Agriculture  and animal husbandry are of great importance in Khaf. The main products are wheat, Citrus fruits and cotton. The greatest ironstone mine of he middle east is located in this disadvantaged region. Althoug carpet production is now mostly mechanized, traditional hand woven carpets and rugs are still found in this town and villages. In the recent years reducing quality of the raw materials caused a great damage to the carpet industry and market. Ghasem Abadi carpets are famouse among Khorasan people. The continious droughts caused a great damage to the animal husbandry. In Nashtifan people plant pine trees and export most of the product to other countries. There are other agricultural products in this region such as Saffron, Pistachio, Garlice and citruce fruits like pomegranate, figs, peach, grape and apricot which exports to the other parts of the country. From thousands years ago, this town is famous for canvas weaving. Payame Noor univesrsity has a branch in this town and absorb talented student from different parts of the country

a. Kooshke Salame (Salame Palace) : This old structured buildings antiquity is very long and approximately the 6th century. This palace is renovated from a clay and bricked construction that founded under piles of sands.   The mentioned building included two floors. The first floor has many rooms and alot of spaces which were used as a residential unit for vacationer and travelers. Based on passages of islamic period  this palace has been in this region from the 6th century. This renovated palace is related to seljuk dynasty.

b. Ghiasiyeh Khargerd Mosque School : This historical and holy place including 4 porched constructions which was built in time of Shahrokh Khan Teymoorid period. With the collaboration of his minister Pir Ahmad Khafi and famous architects Ghavamoddin and Ghiasoddin Shirazi in 848. This monumental place has two floors and consist of 32 stands and chambers 8 squared halls in edges and two vast spaces in two sides. It is decorated with a mixed of piles and bricks. It was used as mosque-school in that period.

c. Malek Zoozan's Mosque :Zoozan was a famous city in the past and according to the historians this city was leveled to the ground by a heavy earthquake and after that earthquake the only bricked building which was remained is this historical mosqe. It is a precious memorial from glory and magesty of this region. The name of this city is taken from Aboobakr Ali Zoozani the ruler of this land. The archictures of this landmark historical place includes two big and small porches that are placed opposite each other. The mentioned structure established as mosque-school. It was n't complete because of strange attacks by foreign troops specialy Mongol Soldiers. The Koofi handwriting is consist of tile and brick. 

d. Asiab Badhaye Nashtifan (Nashtifan's Windmills) : Nashtifan's Windmills confirms the control of natures force by human and based on reserchers beliefes the origin for using the wind power dates back to 100 years ago. In Sistan And Khorasan because of the hundred days winds the people started to make windmills and use this safe energy. Each windmills constructions made of ground floor consist of wheat's store, mills stone, and of the belonging and first floor consist of preventing walls of vertical and horizontal columns, paddle, and other segments.

e. Mazare Baba Ali (Baba Ali Holy Shrine) : Is located in Abas Abad Bala village near Chamn Abad which has a long distance to Khaf more than 50 KM.

f. Mazare Robat : This holy place is situated in a village called Fadak 15 KM  far from the main road. This historical place has a lot of parts such as water reservoir , old mosque which was found under a pile of sand, the holy shrine and cemetry. The holy shrine is related to two persons Amir Said and Amir Jafa. The antiquity of this holy place is more than 10 centuries ago. In 13th H when the islamic forces returned from conquering Harat, they had a fight with Zorosstrians. Some islamic soldiers where martyered and buried in this land. There is a special place near the shrine which is called Somme Doldol (Foot prints of Emam Ali horse) which has some water inside permanetly.

g. Bande Khaki Salami (Salami Dike) : It is 6Km far from this small town. This holiday resort attract many locals every week specialy on weekends.

h. Seyyed Abolghasem, Khajeyar and Haft Baradar shrines : These three holy places are located in the east of Salami town. the people in this region respect them and sacrifice sheeps and goats and present some gift to these shrines.

i : Parke Bahar (Spring Park) : This recreational place is in the north of Khaf and because of tree plantation, making pavilions, add beauty to this deprived town.

j : Baghe Faroogh (Faroogh's Garden) : This beautiful garden is located in the opposite of Parke Bahar. There is a beautiful brick structured building among a larg farm. This building is beautiful and attracts people attention who cross the roads.

k. Mosallaye Bozorge Khaf (Khaf's Grand Mosalla)

l. Tangale goloosh : Located in the north of Zardab village in salami district.

m. Tangale Mehr Abad : Holiday resort in the north east of Khaf. 18KM far from this town.

n. Abshar 80 Metri Kaftar Dare Sedeh : Kaftar Dare 80 meter waterfall located in 15KM north east of Khaf, Sedeh village.

o. Sijavand Windmills : Located in the village of Sijavand near Chamn Abab

p. Ghare Pir Hasbe : Pir Hasbe Cave in Chaharde village.

q. Black valley caves and Sina mountains

r. There are so many natural landscapes and green spaces which have the capacity to attract tourist in this town. They are green recreational centers of Morgh, Black valleys, Tanooreh, Mir Azmat, Chahar Derakht (four trees), Dor Sefid (white pearl), Sar Chashme (Head water), Kalate, Apple tree, Borjak, Salami Mullburry tree, Miah, Kheir Abad, Tangale Sedeh, Deh Borzoye Keybar (Keybar Borzoo Village), Pokhte, Bishe (Woodland)

s. Razdad Tourist Attraction : Razdad village is situated 30KM in north of Khaf. This village is in a mountanious region with a good climate. There is a beautiful waterfall in this sommer resort named (Razdad Waterfall). Thi waterfall has created an attractive landscape which absorb people on weekend.

t. Hoz Anbare Agha Hosein (Mr.Hossein Water Storage) : This historical place is located near the old ice house of Khaf.

u. Yakhchale Ghadimi Khaf (Old Ice House of Khaf) : This building was used for keeping ices for winter and they covered the ices with Chaffs. During the hot days of summer the ice which was kept inside this fridge was used by local people in Khaf.

v. Ivan va Gonbade Ghadimie Masjed Jame Khaf (This historical arch and porch of Khaf Jame mosque) is located in the town center of this old territory. Historical Jame mosque of Khaf is one of the magnificent and masterpieces places. This monumental place is located in south west of Khaf . The covered part of the mosque and the great Iwan porch are located in the north.The enterance porch is located in the south, There is a great similarity between the dome in this mosque and old mosque Roshtkhar perhaps one architecture has built both of this mosque. There is a pretty pulpit among this historical structure.

w. Khaje Yar Building : This historical place is related to the 13th century which was built by the order of NAsseredin Shah Ghajar and the ruler of the time Mohsen Khane Kalali. Khaje Yar was one of the martyrs of islamic troops i nthis region in 8H. He was the comissioner of Conquering Harat. When they came back from this battle in Afghanestan the Zorossterians in this region started another fight with them. In this battlefield some of the islamic forces were martyred and buried there.

x. Mazare Pir Ahmade Khafi (Pir Ahmad holy shrine) : He was the minister of Shahrokh Timurid which the historical mosque of Khargerd was built by his order. He spend 30 years in Shahrokh court. Fasihe Khafi the great contemporary historian has mentioned him several times in his book.

y. Hafez Abro shrine : This shrine is placed in the middle of the town. There is a tombstone which dates back to 7 centuries ago.

z. Khaf Museum of Anthropology. The location of this pretty building is inside the Khaf's Cultural Heritage Office. This building is consist of 11 stands. In Every stand we can observe the differenr customs and mores, traditional lifestyle of people in this region. Nomadic people, felting, black smithing and some attractive pitures of this town.

A. Sangan Payin Iron Stone Mine : This is one of the richest and greatest mine in the middle east. This important iron stone plays a key role in job creation and the future of this region. According to geographers people were aware of this great mine from more than 700 years ago.

B. There are four small forests among the mountains ranges of Khaf.

a. SAadat Abad and Sijavand forests.

b. Goolosh forest

c. Takestan forest in the south of Behdadin

d. Keibar Kooh forest

C. Mahvateye Tarikhi Bias Abad (Bias Abad historical yard) : This place is located in three-ways of Khaf-Ghayen-Zoozan. There is a hiiltop in this cross road which dates back to centuries ago. Accourding to archaelogists this hill has been here from the millinnium BC.

D. Ghaleye Gabrhaye Khargerd (Khargerd Zorossterian Castle) : The ruins of this castle is on top of a hill in Khargerd village. It is located opposite to the Ghiasiye mosque. Some historians believed that this castle was a military fortress during the time of zorossterian in this region. When Arabs conquested Harat in 31H the arabs troops confronted these people. It caused martyrdom of  many muslems forces. According to historical sources the congregation of zorossterian in Zoozan, Khargerd and Sijavand were more than other parts of Khaf but zorossterian who were living in Sangan migrated to India.

E. Madreseye Nezamie Khargerd (Khargerd Nezamie School)  : This school was built by the order of Nezamolmolk Toosi, The minister of Malek Shah Saljughi. According to some foriegn scholars and tourists this school is the oldest building which was a good model for Isfahan Jame Mosque and Ardestan mosque in the 8th century Abdorrahman Jami the great iranian poet and mystic had studied in this school. The antiquity of this school is more than 10 centuries, but later It was destroyed and devastated Because of the lack of attention. From this mounument there remains onlyand old script which was transferred to Iran musuem.

F. Ghahere Castle (Zoozan's Kings palace) :This citadle is remembered as Zoozan castle among local people. It was a great palace which was built as an administrative mansion between 600 to 610H. The founder of this edifice were the Zoozan's kings and the ruler of Kerman. The ground floor was used as a treasury house. The upper floors were used for political and administrative affairs. This great palace was destroyed by a heavy earthquake in 737H.

G. Sanagan Payin domed mosque : The architecture and ceativity in this old mosque astonished every tourist and viewer. This old monument is consist of 8 stands. These 8 stands included 8 small rooms, the covered part of the mosque (Shabestan), chancel and beautiful plaster work. Well known orientalist like Donaldviler, Kapitankristy, have visited this mosque in the past. Based on the history this mosque was built in 535H.

H. Old Jame Mosque of Sangan Payin : This beautiful mosque is situated in Sangan town. This historical place included and enterance door, two Iwans, Whit a traditional covering, place for taking off shoes, and Mehrab. It dates back to Seljuk era, but was destroyed because of an earthquake. What add more beauty to this historical holy place is that it was built like Trapezium.

I. Hafez Abroo Tomb : Shahaboddin Abdollah entitled Hafez Abroo was a great historian who was born in Harat (a small town in Afghanestan). He spent most of his lifetime with Shahrokh. He was a diligent historian and scholar among his contemporaries. Some believes that he was born in Behdadin (small village in Khaf) . He left Khaf to continue aduacation in Hamedan. people called him Hafez Abroo because first of all he did not try to damages some one's reputation in his works. Second, he memorized the holy Koran in a place called Sarab. People in Khaf titled him Bab Abdal and narrate some strange stories of him. The construction of Khafs duct (Ghanate Noodeh) was done by this great man. His shrine in Khaf is respected by Shiits and Sunnis groups.

J. SHeykh Soofi shrine in BarAbad (a village 15km far from Khaf) : Sheykh soofi was born in 1001H. In his childhood he performed extraordinary actions which attracted people attention in those time. He left BarAbad when he was 10 years old and spent 30 years in desetss and mountains. He ate plantes. He became famous when came back to BarAbad. some people beleived that he married one of daughter of Shah Abas Safavi. He died in BarAbad and buried there in 63. He also was  a poet and has a poetical work which was published after 3 centuries.

K. Hazrat Soltan shrine in Sangan Payin

L. Khaje Angir shrine in Sangan Payin : This tomb is located in a village called Khaje Angir

M. Kabudani shrine

I deemit essential to thank Mr.Hafiz Razi director of Razi stationery in Khaf, curator of museum of Anthropology and Mr.Abdolkarim Ahrari Rudi, for his useful book (Khaf in the course of history) and all local people in different parts of Khaf.