Zurkhaneh, persian traditional gymnasium

Zurkhaneh, literally "house of strength," the persian traditional gymnasium is an institution whose soul is gradually disappearing in Iran. More than just a gymnastic, bodybuilding and wrestling place,  Zurkhaneh host practitioners of different ages and social classes. Indeed, from workers to engineers, taxi drivers to doctors, many attend more or less frequently their neighborhoods Zurkhaneh, a place -with the mosque, the hammam and the coffee-shops- of social gathering. Primarily designed as a kind of martial art in ancient Persia,  Varzesh-e Pahlavani, the "ancient sport", has often played a role in Iranian resistance against the invaders throughout their history. From the beginning, it took as ethic, moral values ("chivalry" spirit, bravery, courage) of the philosophical and mystical Persian civilization. With its integration in Shia Islam, it added Sufism spirituality as well as faith and absolute loyalty to the prophet and the imams. The gymnastics and wrestling are punctuated by the  tombak, a percussion instrument, and accompanied by the chant of the  morshed, "guide", seated on a raised platform. For some Iranians,  Zurkhaneh still have the reputation of being both of a glorious school of ancient chivalry, of Iranian mystic and of a den of thieves! Nowadays, some urban  Zurkhaneh becomes paying touristic attractions, gradually losing their mystical soul and genuineness.