An investigation into the effect of the holy landscape elements on the feeling of space and tourist attraction: The case of Kashan Fin Garden

Attention to and valorizeing nature, including water, has a longstanding history in ancient Iran so that nature was a holy and significant entity of life. For instance, in Zoroaster rituals, Anahita was the protector and owner of all water in the Earth and some special places, called Anahita temples, were built in order to worship her. Valorizing nature was to the extent that most Iranian holy places were built near springs or another natural holy element. In Iranian gardens, these landscape elements has been frequently used and has attracted man in various ideas and methods. Due to their significant history and holiness, these elements add a special spirituality to the space so that if that they are preserved, they stabilize the identity and history of that space. Accordingly, individuals make closer and deeper relationships with spaces having strong identity which in turn results in attracting more tourists to that space with fixation and interest in that place. This article investigates the status of nature, especially water, among Iranians and the method it has been used in Kashan Fin Garden. Consequently, it discusses the effect of natural elements on the spirituality of space and tourist attraction. This study was conducted in a descriptive-analytic method.