Between the 12th and the 14th centuries, Kashan was an important centre for the production of high quality pottery and tiles.

Archeological discoveries in the Sialk Hillocks, which lie 4 km west of Kashan, reveal that this region was one of the primary centers of civilization in pre-historic ages.

By some accounts, although not all, Kashan was the origin of the three wise men who followed the star that guided them to Bethlehem to witness the nativity of Jesus, as recounted in the Bible.

Sultan Malik Shah I of the Seljuk dynasty ordered the building of a fortress in the middle of Kashan in the 11th century.

This beautiful garden with its pool and orchards was designed for Shah Abbas I as a classical Persian vision of paradise.

The garden is also notorious as the site of the murder of Mirza Taghi Khan known as Amir Kabir, chancellor of Nasser-al-Din Shah, Iran's King in 1852.

The earthquake of 1778 levelled the city of Kashan and all the edifices of Shah Abbas Safavi, leaving 8,000 casualties.

But the city started afresh and has today become a focal tourist attraction due to the numerous large houses from the 18th and 19th centuries, illustrating the finest examples of Qajari aesthetics.

[2] Kashan County's population history and administrative structure over three consecutive censuses are shown in the following table.

Kashan is famous for manufacturing carpets, silk and other textiles, after Aran va bidgol.