Kouhrang Potential Tourist Hub

Kouhrang

Potential Tourist Hub

Kouhrang is among the most beautiful towns of Chaharmahal-Bakhtiyari province. It hosts various springs such as Deimeh, Parak (some 75 km from the provincial capital Shahr-e Kord), Sardab, Morvarid and Kouhrang mineral water (Chelgard), as well as natural attractions such as Choma Cave and Inverted Tulips Plain, Mehr News Agency reported.
The town’s verdant landscape and natural attractions appeals to most urban tourists.
Inverted Tulips Plain
This plain is situated 12 km from Chelgard in the vicinity of Bano-Staki Village. It extends over 3,400 hectares and is filled with the magnificent flora of mainly red and yellow inverted tulips. The flower blossoms from April to May and brings hordes of visitors from far and near.

Kouhrang Waterfall
The waterfall has been created from the water released by Kouhrang’s first tunnel. The tunnel was built in 1954 to transfer the water of Kouhrang Spring and other adjacent springs to Zayanderoud River.
Efforts to transfer water from this region date back to a long time ago. During the reign of the Safavid Dynasty, efforts for creating a fissure in the mountain and transferring water failed.
Chelgard Ski Resort
This 800-meter-long ski resort is located near the town of Chelgard and on the slopes of Karkonan Mountain. The resort has been divided into two sections: one for men and another for women.
It is one of the most famous ski resorts in the Zagros mountain range. Adequate snowfall, suitable access road and favorable climatic conditions attract hundreds of skiing fans every year.
Many resorts have developed around mineral springs known as spa towns. Hence, Kouhrang can be referred to as a spa town.
Kouhrang Mineral Spring This spring originates from the slopes of Zardkouh Mountain and flow into Kouhrang Lake, subsequently joining Zayandehroud River through Kouhrang’s first tunnel. The beautiful scenery surrounding the spring and the nomadic tribes living in its vicinity enhance the region’s beauty. These and other features have increased Kouhrang’s potential as a tourist hub.

Iran’s Achaemenid tablets

Restoring Relics

A special team has been formed to search the archives of state institutions to locate documents to prove Iran’s ownership of Achaemenid tablets currently kept at the University of Chicago.
Announcing the above, Omid Ghanami, director general of Iran’s Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization (ICHHTO) for legal affairs, said the archives of ICHHTO have been surveyed completely and the team of experts is searching the archives of the Customs Administration, Foreign Ministry and the Presidential Office, CHN reported.

False Claims
The official emphasized that documents obtained so far reveal that Iran had loaned the Achaemenid tablets to the university.
“ICHHTO wants to win in the US court dealing with the case and secure the return of tablets to Iran,“ he said. The exact date of the court hearing has not been announced.
Defense attorneys of nine US nationals made baseless accusations that Iran is a state sponsor of terrorism and provided Hamas with weapons and ammunition in the 1997 bombing in Beit-ul-Moqaddas in a federal lawsuit filed against Iran in Chicago.
Iran did not show up at the court, which it considered incompetent, and the judge issued a default judgment and sentenced Iran to payment of huge sums of money as compensation.
In order to collect the compensation, the attorneys of the plaintiffs called for confiscation and auction of Iran’s cultural and historical assets kept at a few American museums, universities and institutions, including the University of Chicago’s Oriental Institute.
Excavations
In 1937, joint archeological excavations were undertaken by the Iranian government of the time in cooperation with the University of Chicago’s Oriental Institute at Takht-e Jamshid (Persepolis). A large number of cultural and historical relics were found.
The parliament of the time had passed a law in 1930 authorizing joint archeological excavations and permitting foreign institutions to take some of these findings with them for research activities. Until the final days of the former monarchical regime and the early days of the Islamic Revolution, American and French archeological groups carried out excavations in all parts of the country and took artifacts on loan.
The Islamic Republic is determined to prove the Iranian origin and ownership of these artifacts and bring them home.

Turkmen March in Tehran

12 months ago: Iranian Turkmen parade during large-scale military parades to mark the 27th anniversary of the Iraqi invasion of Iran that sparked the bloody 1980-88 war, in Tehran, Iran on Saturday Sept. 22, 2007. Threats and economic sanctions will not stop Iran's technological progress, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad warned Saturday at a large parade featuring fighter jets and radar-avoiding missiles designed to show off the country's military might.

Caspian Sea: An Overview

Caspian Sea: An Overview

According to Medlem-Spray website, the three picturesque provinces are bound by Caspian Sea in the north and Alborz Range in the south. The landscape is divided into a multitude of valleys whose rivers drain into the sea.Caspian Sea, the largest landlocked lake in the world, is located in northern Iran. The Iranian Caspian coast, including the three littoral provinces of Gilan, Golestan and Mazandaran, with its thick forests and large-scale rice paddies presents a striking contrast to the dry inner plateau of Iran.
There are several roads connecting Tehran to the three provinces, all through breathtakingly beautiful scenery, across the mountains or alongside rivers. One of the roads from Tehran to Chalous on the Caspian coast, winding north across the rugged Alborz mountains, passes the popular ski resort at Dizin.

With their tropical climate in summer and mild winters, beautiful sandy beaches and scenic beauty, the three provinces are very popular among Iranians as a holiday and weekend resort. Numerous holiday and residential complexes and private villas dot the landscape.
The total area of Caspian Sea is 435,000 square kilometers or one-fourth the size of Iran.

Nomenclature
Caspian Sea has been called the Hyrcanian, Abaskun, Jorjan, Khorasan, Tabarestan, Mazanderan, Xvalyn and Khazar, with the last three names used in Persian, Azeri and Turkish languages. The most populous parts, namely the southern and western Caspian coasts, belonged to Iran until the Arab conquest in the 7th century AD.
Culturally and linguistically, they retained their Iranian character in the following centuries, but in the Middle Ages, the population became fused with the incoming waves of Turkic nomadic tribes, and these immigrants accounted for an increasingly large component of the ethnic makeup.

Coastline
Caspian Sea’s coastline is 6,397 km long, of which more than 900 km is along the Iranian side. About 128 large and small rivers flow into the sea from Iran and Sepidroud, Shalman, Shafaroud and Tonekabon are the largest rivers. The highest salinity level reaches 12.7 ppt (about 1/3 of the ocean salinity) during summers. The average water temperature in the coastal regions throughout the year ranges from 15.9 degrees centigrade to 17 degrees centigrade. Temperature difference between the coldest area in the north and the warmest area in the south is 4 degrees centigrade during winter and 16 degrees in summer.
Fish Species
There are over 120 fish species in the southern part of Caspian Sea, which are commercially divided into sturgeons and bony fishes. The bony fishes are also divided into sardines and other species. The main commercial species are as follows:
Sturgeons: Beluga (Huso huso), Russian sturgeon (Acipenser guldenstadti), Iranian sturgeon (A. persicus), and Sevruga (A. stellatus). The Iranian caviar--a famous and exclusive product worldwide--is produced by these species.
Bony fishes: Kutum (Rutilus frisii kutum), Mullets (Mugil auratus and M. saliens), Carp (Cuprinus carpio), Bream (Abramis brama), Pike-perch (Lucioperca lucioperca), Roach (Rutilus rutilus) and Salmon (Salmo trutta caspius).

Sustainable Fisheries
Iranian Fisheries has put great emphasis on development of sustainable fisheries. Large sums of money are allocated for the preservation of sturgeons. Because of their importance, fishing sturgeons, caviar-producing species, is only the responsibility of the state-run Iranian Fisheries.
It also monitors methods to prevent overfishing and damage to fish stocks. For example, beach seining is the only allowed fishing system for licensed cooperatives to catch bony fishes other than sardines. In order to prevent illegal fishing, marine guards control activities in the Caspian Sea.
Iranian Fisheries has established Iranian Fisheries Research and Training Organization to extend technical and scientific support to fisheries-related activities.
Funds are allocated to researches on identification and conservation of fish stocks. Millions of fingerlings are produced annually by Iranian Fisheries and released to ensure the sustainability of different fish species in Caspian Sea.
The fingerlings of the following species are produced by Iranian Fisheries: Rutilus frisii kutum, Acipenseridae and Abramis brama.

Threats to Biodiversity
Caspian Sea is connected to the open sea through the Volga River. This makes it very vulnerable to the effects of industrial pollution. Oil exploration activities by the Caspian Sea littoral states have increased in the past decade.
There are also international plans to transfer oil and gas through underwater pipelines in Caspian Sea. These activities will certainly have adverse effects on the marine and coastal ecosystems of Iran.
On the domestic front, development of coastal communities, the sewage flowing into the coastal waters and polluted rivers threaten the coastal ecosystems. Population increase and unemployment in the region also increase illegal fishing. Manmade barriers and obstacles close the migration routes of fishes, leading to the destruction of many spawning grounds.
These problems should be addressed to protect the fish species as well as the livelihood of fishermen living along the Caspian coastline.

Iran's Pyramid the Ziggurat of Choghazanbil

Ziggurat of Choghazanbil

Majestic and Beautiful

Ziggurat of Choghazanbil 

The large Choghazanbil ziggurat is one of the ancient monuments in Iran registered on the World Heritage List.
Built by the Elamites in approximately 1250 BCE, it resembles the architecture employed in the Egyptian pyramids and Mayan edifices, Cais.soas.com reported.
Background
The ziggurat of Choghazanbil is a sacred building of ancient times. The pyramidical edifice was originally five stories high, but at present only three floors remain.
The Elamite Dynasty built many such edifices in ancient Persia, the most important of which is the ziggurat of Choghazanbil in Khuzestan province.
The Choghazanbil edifice is the only surviving ziggurat in Iran and one of the most important remnants of the Elamite civilization, which thrived in Iran. The earliest known presence of Elamites has been recorded at Awan (now called Shoushtar, a town in Khouzestan province).
According to the chronicles of the Old Testament, an ancient king named Kedor Laomer in Elam succeeded in extending his domain as far as Palestine (Genesis, Chapter 14).

Ziggurat of Choghazanbil

Location
Choghazanbil is located in Khouzestan province 30 km southwest of Shoush (Susa), the famous capital of Elam near Dez River which bifurcates from the large Karoun River. The edifice and the town bearing the same name have been built on a natural earth mound, as it overlooks the adjacent plains. When the sky is clear, the two important Elamite cities, namely Shoush and Shoushtar, were visible from that elevation.
The ziggurat was located at Choghazanbil because of the region’s proximity to Shoush, trade routes and Mesopotamia.
Nomenclature
The original name of this town and its ziggurat was Dur-Untash which, according to the inscriptions discovered at the foundations of the ruined building in that town, derived its name from Untash-Gal, the Elamite king (1275-1240 BCE) who was the founder of that town. This name has been repeatedly mentioned in Elamite and Assyrian inscriptions.
The word `Dur’ in the Akkadian and Elamite languages means a town or an enclosed and distinct region. Ziggurat in Sumerian language means ascending to heaven and has its root in the Elamite word Zagratu.
The highest story of the ziggurat was called Kukunnu or Kizzum which name was ascribed to all the stories.
Choghazanbil means a hill-like basket (Zanbil), because in the Dezfouli or Lori dialect Chogha means a hill.
Significance
Based on surviving records, the money for building that town and edifice was not procured from military victories and plunder or from collection of tributes and taxes but through trade with other regions.
Choghazanbil was the religious capital of that time and the main residence of Untash-Gal.
The architectural method used by the Elamite architects focused on making the best use of sunshine in winter and profit from the local winds and shadow in summer.
The significance of the scientific and cultural achievements of Elamites and their contribution to other civilizations can be better understood when we learn that the first wheeled pitcher (the first wheel) was apparently invented by human beings at Elam.
Also, the first arched roof and its covering, which involve a very important technique in architecture, were invented by the Elamites and used in the mausoleum of Tepti-Ahar around 1360 BCE (unearthed in the excavations made at Haft Tappeh) nearly 1,500 years before such arches were used by the Romans.

Excavations
Based on a contract signed with Nassereddin Shah, the Qajar king, with France, a French archeological team was sent to Khuzestan in 1895. But this team had based its headquarters in Shoush. However, in 1935, Brown, a New Zealand citizen who was seeking oil, while flying over that region was surprised to spot a huge earthen pile.
During the same period, one of the geologists of the oil company discovered an inscribed brick that referred to Choghazanbil and took it to the French archeological team in Shoush. Thus the Iranian government permitted R. de Mecquenem, the representative of Louvre Museum in Paris and head of the French archeological team in Shoush, to excavate the Choghazanbil area for five years. De Mecquenem started his investigation during 1936-39, but the main excavation was commenced by R. Ghirshman in 1951.
Until 1962, Ghirshman succeeded in conducting nine stages of consecutive excavations with 150 workers and removed 200,000 sq. meters of earth from the site by wagons and rail in34 months. He succeeded in unearthing the ziggurat from the depth of the earth.
Recently, an Iranian archeologist said evidence indicates the existence of a ziggurat older than the 3,000-year-old counterpart at Choghazanbil and Haft-Tappeh in Khuzestan province.
The Persian daily Toseh reported geophysical studies are underway in the area.
“The second stage of seismic studies at Choghazanbil and Haft-Tappeh will resume from September 22,“ archeologist Hamid Fadaei said.
He noted that the theory of other ziggurats around Choghazanbil and Haft-Tappeh, put forward by renowned Professor Negahban before 1979, has gained strength in light of the current studies.
“Deh-e No is a hill where ancestors of Ontash Nepirisha, the ruler of Orantash had been living 6,000 years ago or 4,000/5,000 years before Christ,“ he said.
A brick has been unearthed from the hill with inscriptions indicating that there are ziggurats at Deh-e No preceding the one at Choghazanbil.
The ziggurat’s beauty and majesty attract thousands of local and foreign visitors every year.

Iran exhibits Parviz Tanavoli artworks

Iran exhibits Parviz Tanavoli artworks Tue, 29 Jul 2008 19:39:24

Parviz Tanavoli Iran's Persian Art museum has mounted an exhibition of paintings and sculptures by the celebrated artist Parviz Tanavoli in Tehran. The event, Tanavoli's first solo exhibition in six years, displays some 54 artworks dating from 1963 to 2001. Parviz Tanavoli has held numerous international solo exhibitions in Austria, Britain, Germany, Italy and the US. His works adorn the New York Museum of Modern Art, the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, the Seoul Olympic Park and the cities of Tehran, Isfahan and Shiraz. 'The Wall (Oh Persepolis)' by Parviz Tanavoli Tanavoli's 'Wall (Oh Persepolis)' fetched 2.84 million dollars at Christie's international auction of modern and contemporary art in Dubai, breaking the record for a Middle Eastern artwork. Tanavoli's Tehran exhibition will run until Aug. 3, 2008. TE/HGH

Mamasani , Fars, Iran

Mamasani Down
History Lane

Throughout history, Mamasani has hosted different civilizations and nations. Located in the highlands of Fars province, it lies strategically between empires that existed in the region, notably Elam and Persia .
Mamasani was also part of the capital city of the Achaemenid monarch, Cyrus the Great.
Situated 158 km from Shiraz , it is bound by Sepidan in the north, Bushehr and Kohkilouyeh-Boyerahmad in the west, Kazeroun and Bushehr in the south and Shiraz in the east, CHTN reported. The name Mamasani goes back to the ancient Mohammad Hassan’s tribe. Since Lori dialect is prevalent in the region, the name has changed to Mamdhassan, Mamasan and Mamasani.
Historians believe that the ancient name of the district was Anzan or Enshan that transformed into Anbouran and Shulestan. Finally, the name changed to Mamasani during the rule of Safavid Dynasty (1501-1736).
Artifacts and manuscripts remaining from 8000 BC to 3000 BC reveal that Iranian civilization originated in Mamasani. Abundance of forests and rangelands, rich water resources and soil, fertile plains and diverse climatic conditions led to the establishment of prehistoric civilizations in the district.

Language
The language spoken by most inhabitants of Mamasani is Lori, which goes back to the Sassanid period.
Some of the nomadic tribes of Mahour Milati region speak Turkish. These tribes belong to the Qashqaei tribe.
However, the residents of Arab Khanimeh and Kakhak villages speak Arabic while they can also speak Lori fluently.

Major Finding
At the end of the second season of archeological excavations at Saravan in March, it became evident that a major center of Achaemenid Dynasty (648-330 BC) was situated in the area.
The Iranian head of the Iran-Australia archeological team, Alireza Asgari, said the major accomplishment of the second season of archeological diggings was discovery of an edifice extending over an area of 1,500 square meters and 14 meters in height.
Asgari noted that studies conducted in the vicinity of the edifice show that at least two other buildings existed next to it during the Achaemenid era. One building was situated south of the edifice and the other to its east.

Prehistoric Times
Throughout history, Mamasani was the link between Khuzestan, Kohkilouyeh, Zagros, Bushehr and the Persian Gulf . In fact, the prehistoric cultures and civilizations of the neighboring provinces can be sought in Mamasani through scientific research.
The prehistoric sites remaining in the area date back to 8000 BC to 3000 BC. They are mostly hills, such as Nourabad, which belongs to 4500 BC and has been registered as national heritage.
Other sites include Tall-e Bakhtiyari, which is located 3 km from Nourabad and belongs to 5000 BC, and Dimeh Meel that dates back to 4000 BC and Kouzehgaran.

Historical Era
Some of the historical sites of Mamasani include Goornegoon bas-relief dating back to 2400 BC, Fahlian Silent Tower built in 700 BC, Davood Dokhtar Silent Tower of 650 BC, Achemenid palaces of Saravan Village belonging to 500 BC, Meel-e Ejdeha Fire Temple of 120 BC and Mansourabad Dam of Sassanid era (226-650).
There are sites and edifices belonging to the period marking Islam’s advent in various parts of Mamasani, among which one could cite Khafrak City in Shuseni and the city of Chahar Bazaar.
Historians consider Mamasani as an important center during the Islamic period.

Tourist Attractions
In addition to hosting historical and religious sites, Mamasani has beautiful natural attractions, such as the evergreen valley of Bouvan, which is covered with oak and almond trees, and Haft Berom lakes.
It has temperate weather and is verdant during February, March and early April.
Farmlands enhance the natural beauty of the region. Even nomadic tribes who live in the area add to the colorful landscape of the region.
One of Mamasani’s tourist attractions is the tomb of Imamzadeh Seyyed Alaeddin Mohammad in northeast Nourabad. It is the burial place of one of the sons of Imam Mousa Kazem (AS) and his daughter. The tomb consists of an old and new building.
Another tourist attraction is the Goornegoon bas-relief in Se-Tolen Village , which belongs to the Elamite Era (2700-539 BC). This rocky bas-relief depicts two figures, one ’God’ and one ’Goddess’ sitting among their worshippers. Meel-e Ejdeha or Dimeh Meel is a square-shaped stone tower on the slopes of Shirmard Mount in a region called Dimeh Meel, 10 km west of Nourabad. The tower, which was apparently a fire temple, is 7 meters in height and 3 meters wide.
Furthermore, relics remaining from the Achaemenid era in Saravan Village , 12 km from Nourabad include pillars with lotus decorations and resemble those of Persepolis .

Khansar Land of Inverted Tulips

Khansar Land of Inverted Tulips

Khansar in northwest Isfahan province is located about 150 kilometers from the city of Isfahan. The name Khansar comes from the Avestan language. Khun means spring and sar means place, so khansar means place of the spring.
Its geographical location is 33¼13’ north latitude and 50¼19’ east longitude while its altitude is 2,250 meters above the sea level. According to Isfahanportal.ir, it’s area is 900 kmÃ, and it includes 18 towns, 3 villages and one central city. This city is located to the northwest of Esfahan, to the east is Golpayegan, and to the southwest it is within the limits of Faridan. It is situated on both sides of a narrow valley through which the Khansar River, some 4 meters wide at this point, flows in a north-easterly direction to Qom. The town and its gardens and orchards straggle some 10 km along the valley which has a mean breadth of scarcely 1 kilometer. Khansar is a small county with a population of about 40,000. It is situated in a green valley. Snowy in winter and mild in summer, it enjoys many natural sights. It also is a religious city and has good weather.
The city has diverse flora, the most important being the inverted tulip. Average maximum temperature of Khansar during summer is 31¼ centigrade and the average minimum on summer nights is 24¼ centigrade.


Attractions
The most important places worth seeing in this city are hot springs and mineral waters in Golestan Kooh, Sarcheshmeh park, Cheshmeh (Spring) Omid, east of Khansar, the Zoroastrian temple in Tir Kooh, Baba Pir , Baba Mohamed Castle, Shahzadeh Ahmad, Jame Mosque, House of Abharis and Mariam Beygom School in Khansar city.
An attraction of Khansar is Golestan Kouh (literally ’flower mountain’) which is very pleasant in May when the area is covered by inverted tulips. Golestan Kouh is located on the Khansar-Isfahan road some 15 kilometers from Khansar. Hiking and skiing in the nearby mountains is very popular.
Another place of interest is Sarcheshmeh Park with beautiful mountain springs. Many tourists visit the area each year.
Khansar is also among the cities with a long history. Religious sites in the city include Shazdeh Ahmad and Emamzadeh Seyyed Saleh. It has many districts such as Vadasht, Payehtakht, Bidhend, Sonqan and Chaharbagh.
Khansar is located not far from the Iran’s Central Kavir (desert). It is surrounded by the Zagros Mountain range which is the source of Anarbar River (Qom River).
History
The city’s heyday dates back to the Safavid reign (1501-1722/1736 AD) when Isfahan was the capital of Iran. It is famous for carpet-weaving and other handicrafts. Carpet weaving was very popular in Khansar during the Safavid era when Persian art reached its zenith in Isfahan. Other handicrafts of the city include pottery, textile and dye industry.
The city’s fabric industry produces high quality cloth. The inlaid works of Khansar Grand Mosque is exemplary.
Khansar has been a scientific and educational center since the time of the Safavid dynasty and many great Shi’ite scholars were educated there. It has been a centre for training thinkers, poets, and especially theologians for centuries.

Sassanid Rise & Fall

Sassanid Rise & Fall

Many legends surround the origins of the Sassanid dynasty (226-650 AD) and the role of its eponymous founder in ancient Persia. One tradition relates that Sassan was a prince who married the daughter of the king of Persis and whose son, Papak, the father of Ardeshir I, overthrew his grandfather to claim the throne. According to Iranvisitor website, another tradition states that Sassan was a shepherd working for King Papak who was given the king’s daughter’s hand in marriage after the king had a dream that their son would grow up to rule the world. Still, another has Sassan as a high-ranking Zoroastrian priest in the city of Istakhr near Persepolis. It is, therefore, unclear what relation Ardeshir I (226-241 AD), the first Sassanid king, bore to the founder of the dynasty.

Expansion
On claiming the kingship of Fars after the death of his father, Ardeshir I quickly began to expand his territory by taking over the surrounding provinces like Isfahan, Kerman, Susiana and Mesene in quick succession.
This brought him into conflict with the Parthian suzerain king, Artabanus IV, and war began between the fading Parthians and the invigorated Sassanids. In 224, Artabanus was killed in the fighting and it was only left for Ardeshir to begin taking over the territories of the now-defunct Parthian Empire. Ardeshir moved west, intending to reunify the Persian Empire of the Achaemenids from whom he claimed direct descent. He successfully captured Mesopotamia and made Ctesiphon his winter capital, but his progress was eventually halted by the Romans at the Euphrates River. Like Darius before him, the rule of Ardeshir was occupied with protecting his borders from powerful enemies and putting down the internal strife that had resulted from the fall of the previous monarch.
The son of Ardeshir, Shapur I (241-272 AD), continued his father’s work in battling the Romans. In 244, Shapur signed a very advantageous peace treaty with the usurper Emperor Philip of Syria, but war resumed in 251 and Shapur conquered Armenia, invaded Syria and plundered Antioch.

Dynastic Struggles
The period between the death of Shapur I in 272 and the accession of Shapur II in 310, saw a series of dynastic struggles with the Romans, which culminated in the three sons of Hormizd II (302-309 AD) being respectively murdered, blinded and imprisoned.
The throne was reserved for an unborn child being carried by one of his wives. The child king Shapur II (310-379 AD) was therefore crowned in utero and born king.
Once the young Shapur II was old enough to rule, he began wars that both expanded and strengthened the empire. In the west, the Romans were pacified and Armenia was once again under Persian control. In the east, the Kushans had been defeated and Persian rule extended to the borders of China.

New Order
Further centralization occurred under Khosro I (531-579 AD), also known as Anurshirvan, the Just. Khosro was perhaps the greatest of the Sassanid kings, his rule ushering in the second period of Persian greatness under the Sassanids.
Through systematic taxation, town building, and military and bureaucratic reform, Khosro brought new order to the empire. With the Roman Emperor Justinian, Khosro struck a very profitable deal by which he received a large quantity of gold in return for peace, though he was, it would appear, genuinely in favor of ending the war which he considered to be senseless in any case.
Peace enabled the intellectual life of the empire to flourish and many learned men of different nationalities enjoyed the patronage of the king, who himself had a keen interest in history and philosophy.
By the time Khosro II (591-628 AD), grandson of Khosro I, had ascended the throne, war with the Romans (now Byzantium) had restarted. His army captured Syria and Beit-ul-Moqaddas.
Khosro also went on to campaign successfully in Egypt and these initial successes won him the title of Khosro Parviz (Khosro, the Victorious). It was during this period that the monumental reliefs at Taq-e Bostan were carved on such a confident scale.
However, Khosro II lacked the wisdom of his grandfather and his court was characterized by wastefulness and pomp. Though it is true that Firouzabad and Ctesiphon were magnificent cities and the arts were flourishing as never before, his despotism and indolence had aroused much opposition.
Toward the end of his reign, Byzantium retaliated under the emperor Heraclius and made deep inroads into Persian territory. Khosro II fled from the advancing armies without offering resistance and a subsequent palace revolt led to his imprisonment and murder at the hands of his son and heir Kavadh II.
Kavadh II died within months of ascending the throne after having put his father and 18 brothers to death. The fratricide in the royal family had by then reached such proportions that there were no men left to succeed the throne. This paved the way for two Sassanid princesses, Pouran-Dokht and Azarmi-Dokht, to rule the declining empire.
The last Sassanid king, Yazdegerd III (632-652 AD), was no more than a boy when he came to power and was dominated by his powerful advisers. It was now no longer the Romans who threatened his tightly organized armies. The Arab army pressed Yazdegerd III to flee northeast to what is now Turkmenistan. He was murdered in 652 while on the run.
The victories of Arabs at the decisive battles of Qadisiya and Nahavand in 642 signaled the end of the Sassanid dynasty and the beginning of Islam’s inroad into Persia.

Qajar Dynasty

Qajar Dynasty

Agha Mohammad Khan

The Qajars belonged to a Turkman tribe that held ancestral lands in present-day Azerbaijan, which was formerly part of Iran. In 1779, following the death of Karim Khan Zand, the Zand dynasty ruler of southern Iran, Agha Mohammad Khan, a Qajar leader, set out to reunify Iran.
According to Perspolis website, Agha Mohammad Khan established the Qajar dynasty by defeating numerous rivals and controlling all of Iran.
By 1794, he had eliminated all his rivals, including Lotf ’Ali Khan, the last of the Zand dynasty, and had reasserted Iranian sovereignty over the former Iranian territories in Georgia and the Caucasus. In 1796 he was formally crowned as shah and established his capital at Tehran, a village near the ancient city of Rey (now Shahr-e Rey).
Agha Mohammad was assassinated in 1797 and succeeded by his nephew, Fath Ali Shah.

Fath Ali Shah (1797 to 1834)

Fath Ali Shah (1797 to 1834)
Fath Ali Shah ruled from 1797 to 1834. Under Fath Ali Shah, Iran went to war against Russia, which was expanding from the north into the Caucasian mountains, an area of historical Iranian interest and influence.
Under the terms of the Treaty of Gulistan in 1813, Iran recognized Russia ’s annexation of Georgia and ceded to Russia most of the north Caucasian region. A second war with Russia in the 1820s ended even more disastrously for Iran, which in 1828 was forced to sign the Treaty of Turkmanchai acknowledging Russian sovereignty over the entire area north of the Aras River (territory comprising present-day Armenia and Azerbaijan ).
Fath Ali was succeeded in 1834 by his grandson Mohammad Shah, who fell under the influence of Russia and made two unsuccessful attempts to capture Herat. When Mohammad Shah died in 1848, the succession passed to his son Nassereddin.

Nassereddin Shah (1848-1896)

Nassereddin Shah (1848-1896)
During Nassereddin Shah’s reign, western science, technology, and educational methods were introduced into Iran at the behest of his advisor Mirza Taqi Khan Amir Kabir.
Nassereddin Shah tried to exploit the mutual distrust between Great Britain and Russia to preserve Iran ’s independence, but foreign interference and territorial encroachment increased under his rule. He was not able to prevent Britain and Russia from encroaching into regions of traditional Iranian influence. He took huge foreign loans to finance expensive personal trips to Europe.
In 1856, Britain prevented Iran from reasserting control over Herat, which had been part of Iran in Safavid times but had been under non-Iranian rule since the mid-18th century. Britain supported the city’s incorporation into Afghanistan, a country Britain helped create in order to extend eastward the buffer between its Indian territories and Russia ’s expanding empire. Britain also extended its control to other areas of the Persian Gulf during the 19th century.

Constitutional Revolution
When Nassereddin Shah was assassinated in 1896, the crown passed to his son Mozaffareddin Shah who was a weak and ineffectual ruler.
Royal extravagance and the absence of revenues exacerbated financial problems. The shah spent two large loans from Russia, partly on trips to Europe. Public anger fed on the shah’s propensity for granting concessions to Europeans in return for generous payments to him and his officials. People began to demand curbs on royal authority and the establishment of the rule of law, as their concern over foreign, and especially Russian, influence grew.
The shah’s failure to respond to protests by the religious establishment, the merchants, and other classes led the merchants and clerical leaders in January 1906 to take refuge in mosques in Tehran and outside the capital to avoid any arrest. When the shah reneged on a promise to permit the establishment of a “house of justice“ or consultative assembly, 10,000 people, led by the merchants, took sanctuary in June in the compound of the British legation in Tehran.
In August, the shah was forced to issue a decree for establishing a constitution. In October, an elected assembly convened and drew up a constitution that provided for strict limitations on royal power, an elected parliament or Majlis with wide powers to represent the people, and a government with a Cabinet subject to confirmation by the Majlis.
The shah signed the constitution on December 30, 1906. He died five days later. The Supplementary Fundamental Laws approved in 1907 provided, within limits, for freedom of press, speech, and association, and for security of life and property. The Constitutional Revolution marked the end of the medieval period in Iran.
Mozaffareddin’s son Mohammad Ali Shah (1907-09), with the aid of Russia, attempted to rescind the constitution and abolish the parliamentary government. After several disputes with members of the Majlis, in June 1908 he used his Russian-officered Persian Cossacks Brigade to bomb the Majlis building, arrest many of the deputies, and close down the assembly. Resistance to the shah, however, coalesced in Tabriz, Isfahan, Rasht, and elsewhere. In July 1909, constitutional forces marched from Rasht and Isfahan to Tehran, deposed the shah, and reestablished the constitution. The ex-shah went into exile in Russia.
Ahmad Shah, who succeeded to the throne at age 11, proved to be incompetent and was unable to preserve the integrity of Iran or the fate of his dynasty. The occupation of Iran during World War I (1914-18) by Russian, British, and Ottoman troops was a blow from which Ahmad Shah never effectively recovered.
With a coup d’Žtat in February 1921, Reza Khan (ruled as Reza Shah Pahlavi, 1925-41) grabbed political power. Ahmad Shah was formally deposed by the Majlis (national consultative assembly) in October 1925 while he was in Europe, and that assembly declared the termination of the Qajar rule.

Iranian Head Coverings for All Seasons

Head Coverings for All Seasons

In ancient Iran , a head covering represented the profession, race and social rank of the person. Used for ornamentation or one’s comfort, head coverings or hats include the crown, including closed, open or integrated crowns, which were worn by kings, diadem or Deihim, Basak (the straight cap), Dastar (turban-like cap), Bashlogh (hood), and egg-like felt caps.
Hats also distinguish a social class, tribe or nationality, Cais-soas.com reported.
Early Uses
A head covering had special significance for Iranians in ancient times. Its use dates back to cavemen who used it to protect themselves from the vagaries of weather.
Different types of hat and cap were developed, modified and perfected with the growth of human civilizations to suit geographical and social conditions.
Hat was used as an ornamentation device to beautify the body and satisfy one’s aesthetic cravings and religious beliefs.
The hat was used in special religious rites and ceremonies as a sign of devotion and humility.
The head cover used by the bride is a striking example. Symbolizing modesty and chastity, it is currently used mainly for decorative purposes.
Certain professions also call for a special type of cap, dress or uniform to provide for the worker’s safety and meet the specific needs of a profession.
Ancient Times
The ancient Medians or Persians resorted to simple decorations as symbolic images. A careful examination of such images leads us to divide them into human, plant, animal, abstract images or a mixture of such elements.
The ancient world was a mysterious world of celestial and terrestrial wonders mixed with human fear, hopes and myths.
Ancient images were symbolic in nature and represented authority, rank, religion, ritual, gild, or features such as bravery.

Designs
Hats in ancient times incorporated images and designs that signified specific meanings.
Water Lily (Niloufar): Water lily is considered an eternal and sacred flower, and represents Mehr (the sun) and Mithra (worship). As a result, the flower and the stalk or the simple lily with its petals in a circle or hoop has been used in Iranian fabrics during the Parthian, Sasanid and even Islamic periods.
Image of Sun: The sun (Mehr) enjoyed a special symbolic significance in ancient Iranian religious rites. An example of use of sun is its round disk with rays divided into three directions all of which were placed in a hoop. One most famous symbol was the sun chariot.
The importance of the sun (Mehr) in religious rites was such that many experts consider the crown (and even the wedding ring) as its manifestation.
Serrated (toothed) Towers: Serrated towers were other symbols used in ancient times, and such designs represented ancient temples. An example of serrated tower is shown in the mosaic bas-relief Khozi soldiers’ dress in the Louvre Museum . In these images, one can see quadrangular images. Inside the quadrangle, one can see three serrated towers rising from a mound. These three towers represent Varjavand or a combination of Ahura Mazda (Zoroastrian), Mithra and Anahitian religions.
Geometric shapes included a pyramid or round checkered additions which were either used in the margin or as the background, and also used to adorn ritual hats.
In the decoration of hats in ancient Iran , one does not see human or animal images.

Types of Hats
An examination of images of bas-reliefs in ancient buildings and objects leads us to divide Persian hats into crowns, diadems (Deihims), Basaks, straight caps, Dastars, Bashloghs and egg-like felt caps.


Crown
Crown was a special head cover used by governors. The crown represented special power bestowed to the king from heaven and each part of its ornaments symbolized the beliefs and religions of the time.
A majority of crowns were serrated and the serrations were in the curves and symbolized towers, battlements or perhaps Mehr (the sun). The crown was so respectable that the court would hardly thrust its upkeep to everyone.
The crown was divided into three groups: closed, open and integrated crowns. The closed crown (a crown covered at the top) was composed of a headstall and an arch and its edges and sides were decorated by gold. The closed crowns were either wholly made of metal or non-metal material.
In non-metal crowns, the frame was made of non-metal matter and a metal part was mounted on it. The metal crown was either fabricated by casting or by engraving the metal.
Sivaris was a type of crown used during the Achaemenid period. This was a tall and serrated golden crown decorated by gold leaves and colorful jewels. The Achaemenid crowns were either closed or open crowns and were excessively worn by kings. The king’s crown was taller than other crowns and its walls had symbols of the temples of the time.

Basak
Basak is a circular ring made of flowers and branches or metal ring made of flowers. It might be considered as a special sort of diadem. So far, the real application of Basak has not been discovered, but in the past there was a sort of Basak that looked like a rope from distance. Such Basaks were mostly used by military officers. Many bas-reliefs of soldiers in Persepolis adorn the Basak.
Basak was either made of metal or felt. The non-metal felt Basak was worn during hunting and war to prevent the hair from being disturbed. The Basak was worn by the king, his courtiers, military officers and even ordinary people.

Straight Cap
This was an inverted cone cut at the base and made of felt and scented by gums and other fragrant material. These were either split or simple caps. The simple straight cap was used as replacement for the crown for daily affairs of kings.
The difference between split and simple straight cap was in the shears on the body of the cap. Apparently, the split sheared caps were worn by soldiers. What is particular about this cap is the image of Ahura imprinted on it.
A comparison of the straight caps known as Parsi caps with those worn by the Assyrians shows that the Achaemenid straight cap was a modified version of the Assyrian one.

Dastar (Turban-like cap)
The real purpose of Dastar is not known. This was a pointed felt cap or hood or shawl which was wrapped over the head and neck or a sort of felt cap. Its true rank is not known because the Dastar was worn by servants and maids. Right now in many places, including Kurdestan, the natives wear a sort of cap on which the Dastar is wrapped.

Bashlogh Hood
This is a felt cap which has special strings hanging behind the ear and back, which narrows as it descends lower. Behind the arch of the Bashlogh, there was an additional piece which was folded in the front. It was worn by Median armor wearing officers. The Bashlogh with slight modifications is still woven in Kurdestan.

Egg-Like Felt Cap
This cap was known as Median cap. The only ornament on the egg-like felt cap is a lace at the edge of the cap. The images surviving in Ghalayechi Hill in Bukan from Manayian period as well as crowns from the Sassanid period has revealed that a diadem was worn on the felt cap. The felt cap was worn by Achaemenid warriors and Median officers. A similar cap is still being worn by Iranian nomadic tribesmen.

Head-Scarf
This headscarf worn by women in ancient times reaches as far as the ankles. The Dastar was worn by Achaemenian women and is still used by Zoroastrian women.
The corners of this shawl-like Dastar were not wrapped under the neck. It was placed on the lady’s head in a manner that covered all her hair or it was hung like a tail at the back. The Dastar was generally worn with a diadem or Basak, and was the scarf popularly used by the Iranian women in the past.

A Village of Wonders Masouleh

A Village of Wonders

Masouleh

Masouleh is a village in Iran’s Gilan Province. Historical names for the village include Masalar and Khortab. It was founded in the 10th century AD. Masouleh is approximately 60 km southwest of Rasht and 32 km west of Fouman. It is 1,050 meters above sea level in the Alborz mountain range, near the southern coast of the Caspian Sea.
The village has a difference in elevation of 100 meters. The first village of Masouleh was approximately established around 1006 AD, 6 km northwest of the current village, called Old-Masouleh (Kohneh Masouleh in Persian). People moved from Old-Masouleh to the present site because of Pestilence and attacks by neighbors, CHN reported.
Masouleh-Rood-Khan is the river passing through the village with a waterfall 200m away from the village. Many other springs are found around Masouleh that is also surrounded by forests from valley to mount. Fog is a key feature of this area.
Unique Architecture
Masouleh architecture is unique. The buildings have been built into the mountain and are interconnected.
Courtyards and roofs both serve as pedestrian areas similar to streets. Masouleh does not allow any motor vehicles due to its unique layout. It is the only village in Iran with such a prohibition.
Moreover, the small streets and many stairs simply wouldn’t make it possible for vehicles to enter.
The spectacular architecture of Masouleh is well-known as “The yard of the above building is the roof of the below building“.
Yellow clay coats the exterior of most buildings. This allows for better visibility in fog. Buildings are mostly 2 stories (1st and ground floor) made of adobe, rods and bole. Small living room, big guest room, winter room, hall, WC and balcony are usually on the 1st floor. Cold closet, barn and stable are located below attached to the upper floor by several narrow steps inside the building.
There are four main local communities namely: “Maza-var“ (meaning: beside the Mosque) at the south, “Khana-var“ (meaning: beside homes) at the East, “Kasha-sar“ (meaning: stretched on top) at the North, and, “Assa-mahala“ (meaning: Assad community) at the West. Apparently down-town is the market (bazaar) area and also the main mosque of the village, named: “O-ne-ben-ne Ali“. This village is almost eight hundred to a thousand years old. The existence of numerous graveyards in and outside of the village shows its old texture. The storied and terracing plan is in parallel to the mountain slope. Combination of such architecture with natural landscape has rendered it a national and international tourist center.

Kurdestan is located in western Iran and bordering Iraq

Kurdestan Attractions Galore

By Sadeq Dehqan

Located in western Iran and bordering Iraq, Kurdestan is a green province spread over 28,203 square kilometers.

Natural Features
The province’s mountainous areas extend from Qezelozan Valley to mountains of southern Zanjan. It has large plains, with the highest called Obatu situated at an altitude of 2,200 meters to the north of the provincial capital, Sanandaj. The highest mountains of the region are Shahneshin in northern Bijar, Sheida in the central part of the province and Panjeh Ali, which is located between Qorveh and Saqqez.
Baneh and Marivan experience the highest annual precipitation in the province with about 800 millimeters while Sanandaj registers the lowest at 400 millimeters. The province boasts of oak forests and different types of trees due to its suitable humidity level.
The province has suitable habitats for mammals and different species of birds as well as marine species because of its diverse climatic conditions, special topography, abundance of water resources and suitable flora.
Kurdestan has 5 first grade, 10 second grade, 16 third grade and three fourth grade hunting zones, in addition to Bijar Protected Zone’s hunting zone. The zone is the only natural reserve located in the northeast of the province and covers an area of 23,000 hectares.
The zone is host to many permanent and seasonal spas. It is also rich in terms of wildlife, with a diverse species of mammals, birds and reptiles.
Gazelle, brown bear, boar, wolf and rabbit are also found in the zone. Among the birds of the region one could refer to partridges and gray herons.
Marivan Lake, which is located in the area, is the main habitat of otter in Iran.
Culture and Traditions
Kurdestan has a rich culture and civilization.
Different variations of the Kurdish dialect are spoken in the province. The Urami variation was the language of the province until a few decades ago.
Before the advent of Islam, the residents of the region practiced Zoroastrian rituals. Traces of this culture are detectable in their rituals and music. However, at present, most inhabitants of Kurdestan are Sunni, belonging particularly to the Shafei sect.
Kurds traditionally prefer to wear their local costumes to maintain their cultural identity. Even during the early days of the former Pahlavi regime when Reza Shah ordered all people of the country to wear modern clothes, Kurds resisted this order and did not change their attire.
The Kurdish dress of women is colorful and derives inspiration from the natural surroundings. While Kurdish women wear long dresses decorated with needlework, Kurdish men wear loose pants, boots and a head covering. They also use belts made of colorful cloth.
The cultural attractions of Kurdestan include songs and dance, which have been preserved since ancient times. Kurdish music pertains to different moods, but it is mostly known for its fast and lively rhythm.
Kurdish music is played during funerals, wedding processions and even sickness. It can easily make a listener sad or jubilant.
A visit to any of its cities is worth a trip.

Iran safe and sound for tourists

'Iran safe and sound for tourists'
Thu, 14 Feb 2008 22:30:07

Esfandiar Rahim-Mashaei

Head of Iran Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization says the country is one of the most secure places for the world tourists.

"In spite of neighboring war-torn countries like Iraq and Afghanistan, Iran enjoys security and peace," CHTN quoted Esfandiar Rahim-Mashaei as saying.

Unfortunately Western media by publishing negative propaganda against Iran are working hard to present an untrue image of the Islamic Republic.

Rahim-Mashaei further called on tourists to visit the country and personally witness Iran's security.

He also emphasized the role of Iran as an ancient country that stands as the forerunner of many modern phenomena like modernism and urbanism.

Googad Citadel near Golpayegan Isfahan Iran

Googad Citadel Relic of the Past

Googad Citadel which is located near the city of Golpayegan (in Isfahan province) dates back to about four centuries.
The only written document that has been left from the citadel belongs to about 130 years ago.
This document indicates that half of the citadel was built by a person named Ali Khan who gave his share of the citadel to his wife as dowry.
According to K.domaindlx webstie, Googad Citadel and the city of Golpayegan was located en route Silk Road. This is why the citadel was called Alikhani Citadel for some time. Golpayegan has a minaret which is about 18 meters high and it was used as a guide for passengers in the past.
The citadel was used as a caravansary for businessmen during peace time.
Aqa Mohammad Khan, the Qajar king, has also spent several days in the citadel while he was returning from one of his wars.
The citadel is currently used as a luxury hotel nowadays.
A room currently used as a special suite was designated for kings.
Doves acted as an alarm system for of the citadel so that special openings were considered for the doves to settle in the citadel’s wall and whenever they heard strange sound they also began to make noise.

The Role of Women in Ancient Persia

Women in Ancient Persia

The study of women’s status in ancient Persia, as mentioned in Zoroastrian texts such as the Avesta, shows that at a time when many women in the world were deprived of their basic rights, women enjoyed social and legal freedom and were treated with great respect.
According to Presstv, Avesta texts ask both genders to share responsibility and take decisions together. They are equally praised for their good deeds rather than their gender, wealth or power.
In ancient Persia, women could take the throne in case the king passed away and the crown prince was still a minor. One such woman was Pourandokht, the first Persian queen regent in Ctesiphon. Ancient scriptures describe her as a wise, just and good-natured woman who did her best to revive the Sassanid sovereignty.
Avestan texts address the issue of leadership and tell us that a ruler may be a woman as well as a man.
Equal Responsibility
Zoroastrian texts advise parents to encourage their offspring to tread the path of knowledge and explain that women have an equal responsibility in the dissemination of knowledge and science.
“Whatever a man or a woman knows that is good and right, not only should they practice, but inform others to perform accordingly“. (Yasna 41/2)
Female members of the ancient Persian society were allowed to participate in religious ceremonies and sometimes even head the event as the priest.
Persian women were free to choose their spouse and Zoroaster urged them to make their decision based on wisdom.
Regarding young couples, they are advised to remain faithful, share their joy and sorrow, to adhere to the principles of love and to try to surpass one another in truth and righteousness.
Social Role
Reference has also been found on the role of Persian women in society. According to Greek historian and biographer Plutarch, Persian women were active members of their society and good fighters.
There were numerous female fighters among the ranks of the Sassanid army. They have been described as excellent and competent soldiers.
According to Pahlavi texts such as the Din-Kard, women could manage their property, represent their husbands at court, chair courtrooms and perform religious ceremonies. Ancient documents found at Persepolis, Susa and other Mesopotamian cities show that both noble and common women enjoyed economic independence in Persia.
They owned property, were involved in managing their assets, had employment opportunities and earned wages.
Although noble Persian women had to act within a defined framework set by the king, they also enjoyed economic independence and had control over their wealth.
Women were allowed to visit their estates and administer their assets individually or with the help of their husbands.
Ancient documents mention common women by the title bestowed upon them due to the nature of their work. The level of skill determined a female manager’s title.
The highest-ranking female workers were known as Arashshara (great chief). They managed female and male workers, and received the highest salary among their peers.
Historical documents show that male and female workers received equal pay and there were an equal number of workers from both genders.

Eram Garden Idyllic

Eram Garden Idyllic

The idyllic Eram Garden (Bagh-e Eram) in Shiraz (in Fars province) is a striking location for visitors with a variety of plants, as well as a historical mansion.
Although the exact date of the garden’s construction is not known, historical evidence suggests it was constructed upon the order of Seljuk monarch Sultan Sanjar as many other gardens were established during his reign.
According to Presstv, like many other historical monuments in the southern city of Shiraz, it was restored and repaired by the Zand kings (1750-1794).
During the late Zand Dynasty, the garden was owned by Qashqaei tribal chiefs. A Qashqaei tribal chief, Mohammad Qoli Khan ordered the construction of the original mansion in the early eighteenth century, planting the garden with different trees, including cypress, pine, orange and persimmon trees.
During the reign of Nassereddin Shah of Qajar Dynasty, Mirza Hassan Ali Khan Nasir-ul Molk bought the gardens from Qashqaei tribes and constructed the present pavilion which was designed by a famous Shirazi architect, Mohammad Hassan.
The decoration of the pavilion was completed by Hassan Ali Khan’s son Abolqassem Khan who inherited the garden after his father.
The garden finally went to Abolqassem Khan’s son Abdullah Qavami who sold it to Qashqaei tribes once again.
The beautiful three-story pavilion of the garden was constructed according to Safavid and Qajar architectural style.
The lower story of the mansion has been particularly designed for relaxation during the hot summer days. The ceiling of this structure is beautifully adorned with colorful tiles. A small stream also passes through the story, connecting to a large pool in front of the building.
The middle story has a large veranda erected on two pillars behind which stands a magnificent hall. On the two sides of the hall are two corridors each having four rooms and two small terraces. The front sides of the pillars are decorated with tiles showing images of horse-riders and flowers. The upper story consists of a large hall whose windows open to the main veranda. It is also surrounded by two corridors leading to two terraces.
On the entablature of the building there are three arched (semi-circular, crescent-shaped) pediments ornamented with tilework.
The middle pediment, being larger than the other two, shows Nassereddin Shah (a famous Qajar king) riding on the back of a white horse.
Around this picture, some scenes based on storied from the works of Ferdowsi and Nezami (two famous poets) can be seen.
One of the small pediments represents an image of Darius the Great (the founder of the Achaemenid Dynasty) as represented in Persepolis monuments.
And finally the third pediment illustrates a deer being hunted by a panther.
The garden with its beautiful flowers, refreshing air, tall cypresses (a stately, beautiful cypress tree there known as sarv-e naz which is said to go back to 3,000 years ago) and fragrant myrtles is a major tourist destination particularly during spring.
Now a property of Shiraz University, it has been turned into a botanical garden and is open to the public as a museum. The mansion has also been assigned to the university’s Faculty of Law.
It has been named after a legendary garden called Eram in southern Arabia, built upon an order of Shaddad, an Arab king, to compete with Paradise.

June 4 marks the 17th death anniversary of the Imam Khomeini

A view of Imam Khomeini Mausoleum in Tehran. June 4 marks the 17th death anniversary of the late founder of the Islamic Revolution. (Photo by Mahmoud Hajmohammadi)

The Arg-e Karim Khan in Shiraz A Legacy of Zandieh Era

Arg-e Karim Khan A Legacy of Zandieh Era

Arg-e Karim Khan (Citadel of Karim Khan) was the palace of Karim Khan, a king of the Zandieh Dynasty. Built in 1180 AH, it is located to the northeast of Shiraz near the Shohada Square. For building his palace, Karim Khan invited the most skilled stonecutters, architects and artists of his time. He also bought the best type of construction materials from different cities of the country and also from abroad.
According to Tachar website, the citadel has an area of 4,000 square meters and is in the center of a compound extending over an area of 12,800 square meters. The architectural style used in this edifice is both military and residential, as the citadel was the residence of the king and had to have high security. Hence, the exterior walls, which essentially resemble the walls of a garrison, are quite tall. The citadel consists of four high walls connected by four 14 meters round brick towers. The lower section of the exterior walls is three meters in width. It is shaped like an incomplete cone and its width at the top reaches 2.8 meters. In the upper section of the wall, there is a small chamber, which housed soldiers and guards.
The palace’s entrance hall is rather large. It has one door which opens to the horse stable and another door, which opens toward the roof. Compared to similar buildings, the hall does not have many decorations. There were special rooms for the groom, which were destroyed throughout centuries.
There is a small courtyard adjacent to each of the four towers of the building. In one of them, there is a special room for the king’s servants. In the main courtyard, which covers an area of 93.6 meters by 12.8 meters, there is a stairway to the second floor. The citadel is rectangular, on each side of which is a 15-meter brick tower. Between the northern, southern and western sides is a large balcony, which consists of a hall and two large chambers. In front of each of the three balconies there are two sturdy stone columns, each of them nine meters high. As is customary in the architectural style of the Zandieh era, a four-sided pond was constructed in front of each of the balconies.
The eastern side of the citadel is a high wall in the middle of which the entrance door is located. On top of the entrance gate there is a beautiful painting depicting a scene from the battle between Rostam and the White Demon (mythical personalities of the masterpiece of poet Ferdowsi, ’Shahnameh’ or ’book of the kings’). Colorful enameled tiles are used in the painting. This is a feature added during the Qajar era. The shah’s private bath and the residence of his bodyguards are situated behind the eastern wall.
The walls of the quarters are made of stone and baked clay is used in other parts of the building. Interior decorations include marbles of Yazd and Tabriz and large mirrors bought from Europe. Herbal colors are used in the ceilings’ ornaments.
During the Qajar period, the citadel was used as the governor’s seat. It was converted to a prison during the reign of Reza Shah, the first Pahlavi monarch. Renovation of the building in contemporary times started in 1977.

Abgineh Museum

Abgineh Museum

Abgineh or glass museum in the city of Tehran was the residence and office of former Iranian Prime Minister “Ahmad Qavam“ (1876-1955 AD) until 1951. Later, the Egyptian Embassy in Tehran took over the building and handed it over to Iran’s Bank Tejarat.
According to Allmuseums website, since 1976 a group of Iranian and Austrian architects refurbished the building and converted it into a museum which was opened on 1989.The decorations of the building include brickworks of the exterior facade and interior plaster cutouts, mirror works and inlays.
As one of the Iranian famous museums, Abgineh Museum comprises several halls, workshops and a library. Artworks and handicrafts exhibited in this museum include three collections of porcelains, glassworks and crystals.
Porcelains
The magnificent collection of porcelains exhibits a thorough history of ceramics and porcelains made in Iran from the dawn of history until today. It also provides a bulk of information about the evolution of porcelain and its production technique. Major centers of porcelain making in Iran, including Kashan, Rey, Qazvin, Gorgan and Neishabour are also introduced.
Visiting this museum, you learn about simple and colorful glazed porcelains and the art of decorating them with calligraphic designs, paintings of plants and animals and geometrical designs over and under the layer of the glaze.
Some of these porcelains enjoy paintings on the basis of proverbs and old mythical and folk tales.
Glassworks
Glassworks exhibited in the museum date back to the first and second millennia BC until modern times. In this section the glass works production technique including the sand molds, cutting and pressing equipment are introduced. The painting method on the glass is also exhibited.

Crystals
On the ground floor hall of the museum, crystal and flint glass samples of 18th and 19th centuries are exhibited. All these samples are mostly cut and made in Europe.
Specialized Library in the northwestern courtyard of the museum, the newly constructed building of the library is visible. This specialized library contains almost 4,000 books on archeology and the history of art. A hall is also allocated to exhibit the glassworks and porcelains made by contemporary artists and craftsmen. Workshops to teach production of glassworks, crystal cuttings, porcelains and their painting are also provided.

Qara Kelisa Awaiting UNESCO Registration

Qara Kelisa Awaiting UNESCO Registration

Qara Church, near Chaldoran city in West Azarbaijan province, has been proposed by Iran for UNESCO registration, deputy head of West Azarbaijan’s Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization said on Monday.
Alizadeh also told reporters that the church is one of the biggest historical holy sites in the world and deserves to be enlisted for registration as an international heritage by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), reported IRNA.
Qara Church (St. Tataous Cathedral) is the first Christian monument and Tataous had been one of Jesus Christ’s (PBUH) evangelists.
Badarak rites are annually held at the church in summer and attended by foreign Armenians and Armenians residing in Iran.
He said that natural events have caused damages to the church that has been renovated.
Qara means black in Azeri language and Qara Kelisa means Black Church.