The historic Kamal Zourkhaneh in Isfahan's Sabzeh Meidan
district, built during Qajar
dynasty, has been demolished to be replaced by a commercial complex.
Zourkhaneh,
literally meaning house of strength, is the Iranian national sport also
called varzesh-e pahlavani (sport of heroes) or varzesh-e bastani
(sport of ancients) played in an Iranian traditional gymnasium.
Zourkhaneh is not only a place where physical exercises
are held but also one where chivalry is learned. The Zourkhaneh
sportsman is first expected to be pure, truthful, good-tempered and then
physically strong. Zourkhaneh and varzesh-e pahlavani have their
roots in Iranian culture and date back at least 2000 years ago.