Despite its hot and arid climate, Bam is home to lush groves of palm and citrus trees nourished by qanats that flow from beneath the desert, making it an unparalleled example of human adaptation and coexistence with the harsh desert environment. After the devastating earthquake of 2003, the city rose again through the determination and perseverance of its people, and today it stands as a symbol of resilience and hope in the heart of Iran’s desert.
Bam’s economy rests on agriculture (especially the cultivation of Mazafati dates and orchard crops), historical tourism, handicrafts, and regional trade. Bam dates are among the most famous in the world and are exported to many countries.
The culture of Bam reflects a blend of ancient Iranian traditions, local Kermani customs, and the rich desert heritage. Local music, religious ceremonies, earthen architecture, and handicrafts such as carpet weaving and kilim weaving are among the city’s most distinctive cultural features.
Some of Bam’s most important attractions include:
Arg-e Bam (Bam Citadel): The largest adobe structure in the world, over 2,500 years old, a masterpiece of ancient Iranian architecture and urban planning.
Bam Dokhtar Castle (Qal‘eh Dokhtar): An ancient strategic fortress perched on a mountain overlooking the city and surrounding plains. Dating back to the Sassanian era, it symbolizes defensive strength and desert military architecture, located near the Bam Citadel.
Bam’s Qanats and Palm Groves: Marvels of water engineering sustaining life in one of Iran’s driest regions.
The Old Bazaar of Bam: With its traditional stalls and authentic desert-style architecture.
Local rituals and festivals: Such as the Nakhl-gardani procession, the Date Harvest Festival, and traditional Kermani music.
With its turbulent history, unique desert nature, resilient people, and rich culture, Bam shines as one of the most remarkable destinations in southeastern Iran—a place that every traveler interested in history, civilization, and the beauty of the desert should experience firsthand.