Hamedan

description

Hamedan, the Capital of History and Civilization

A Look at the General Characteristics of Hamedan

Hamedan, one of the oldest cities in Iran and the world, is the capital of a province of the same name. The city is located on the slopes of Mount Alvand and is considered as one of the cold cities of Iran.

Most of the residents of Hamedan are Muslims and followers of the Shia sect. However, a few religious minorities live in this city, too. The Christians of Hamedan have built 5 churches in the city which are still standing. Among the churches, the Angeli Church, St. Mary Church and Stephen Gregory Church are historical and spectacular monuments of this city.

The Jew people arrived in Hamedan in 722 BC when Jerusalem was conquered by Nebuchadnezzar II. Over time; however, the number of Jews in this city declined. One of the most important monuments, called "The Tomb of Esther and Mordechai", is among the historic and touristic sites.

The Sister Cities of Hamedan

The city of Hamedan has four sister cities among the most important cities of the world. The cities include Kulob (Tajikistan), Sparta (Turkey), Bukhara (Uzbekistan) and Yekaterinburg (Russia). The ties between Kulob and Hamedan is due to the tomb of Mir Sayyid Ali Hamedani. He was a Hamdani mystic who was buried in Kulob.

What You Should Know about Hamedan’s Attractions

Alisadr Cave, the Longest Water Cave in the World

Ali-Sadr Cave, the longest water cave in the world, is one of the most important attractions of the city. This cave, located near Ali-Sadr Village in the city of Kabudarahang, is 2100 meters above sea level. It also features winding corridors and chambers that you can visit by boat. Above all, the temperature in the cave is always constant. The air temperature is always 16 ° C and the water temperature is 12 ° C. It is interesting to know that no creatures live in Ali-Sadr Cave, the 23rd registered national natural heritage of Iran.Alisadr Cave

Ganjnameh Historical Complex

Ganjnameh Historical Complex, located in 5 kilometers west of the city, is among the historical sites of Hamedan. Among the important historical sites of this complex, we can mention two inscriptions and Bahram Fire Temple.

Ganjnameh Historical Complex is located in Rah Shahi, literally means royal road. The road was the place the caravans travelled; it was also a safe and important place. Therefore, the Achaemenid kings tried to reflect their beliefs and thoughts by placing their inscriptions in this route.

Each of the two inscriptions, belonging to the reign of Darius the Great and Xerxes the Great, includes three 20-line columns engraved in a big rock. Decoding these inscriptions led to reading Bisotun Inscription in Kermanshah.

Bahram Fire Temple, having remained since the Sassanid era, is located on the slope of Alvand Mountain. It is mentionable that it can be visited from afar.

The mountainous weather of Alvand Valley, has led it to be a recreational site. In addition, the view of this village to Mishan Plain has doubled its beauty.

You can also enjoy recreational facilities such as cable car, Tarik Dareh Ski Resort and hiking on the 200-meter suspension bridge.

Ganjnameh Historical Complex

Ekbatan Reservoir, a Perfect Home to Migratory Birds

Ekbatan Dam Reservoir, the only lake in Hamedan, is located in a lush valley. Of the recreations on this lake, one can mention water sports such as sailing and water skiing.

Around this dam, about 40 native species plants grow; different fish species are farmed in Ekbatan Dam Reservoir as well. Ekbatan Dam is also home to some migratory birds during the migration season.

Ekbatan Reservoi

 

Mishan Plain in Hamedan

Mishan Plain, on the slopes of Mount Alvand, is one of the natural and tourist attractions of Hamedan. Moving toward Mishan Plain, you will experience a semi-heavy hiking. Before reaching the hiking path, you pass a road along the Abbas Abad Valley with a view to gardens and tall trees. At the end of this road, there is a high waterfall which is about 12 meters high. The ancient inscription of Ganjnameh is situated in this area. The inscription belongs to Darius and Xerxes era, two great Achaemenid kings. The path you take to reach the plain is the same as the path which existed in the Achaemenid era.

Mishan Plain in Hamedan

 

The Most Important Historical Sites in Hamedan

The Stone Lion, a Parthian Era Memorial

The Stone Lion is one of the monuments of ancient history and Parthian era. The statue lies at the end of the Stone Lion Street and in the middle of a square of the same name. This monument has been registered in the list of National Iranian Heritages.

The Stone Lion

Baba Taher Tomb

Baba Taher, an Iranian famous poet and mystic, is buried in this city. this Tomb, listed in Iranian National Heritage Sites, is located in a square of the same name. The most considerable feature of this structure is his poems engraved on 24 stone pieces. There is also a handicraft museum next to this tomb.

Baba Taher Tomb

Avicenna Tomb

Avicenna was an Iranian physician, poet and mystic who has an international reputation. His tomb lies in a square of the same name in Hamedan. The southern hall of this complex holds coins, pottery and the artifacts belonging to the millenniums BC.

In the northern hall, a sumptuous collection of manuscripts and works of Avicenna has been gathered. Avicenna Tomb is the symbol of Hamedan and is also the symbol of Iran's pioneering in the world of knowledge and culture.

Baba Taher Tomb in Hamedan

Ecbatana Hill, the Historical Identity of Hamedan

Ecbatana Hill, the remains of the ancient city of Ecbatana, is the first Iranian capital with a history of 3000 years. The gold tablet, discovered in the Ecbatana called "Ariaramnes", is kept in the Berlin Museum in Germany. Five pieces of gold tablets and three silver tablets have been obtained from the excavations of Ecbatana Hill and Persepolis. Among these tablets, only one gold tablet and one silver tablet belong to Persepolis. This issue reflects the historical and ancient significance of Ecbatana.

Ecbatana Hill, the Historical Identity of Hamedan

Alavian Dome, the Masterpiece of the Islamic-era Plasterwork

The Alavian Dome is one of the valuable architectural works of the Islamic era in Iran. It is also one of the masterpieces of the post-Islamic plasterworks, listed in National Heritages of Iran.

Alavian Dome

The Traditional Bazaar of Hamedan

The traditional bazaar of this city, having been remained from the Samanid era, used to be the most important commercial center. However, some structures on this bazaar belongs to the Qajar era. The other point is that the bazaar is roofed, like most of the Iranian traditional bazaars, and contains of 30 Rasteh and 24 Sara.

Hamam-e Qal'eh, an Anthropology Museum

Hamam-e Qal'eh, literally means castle bathhouse, belongs to the Qajar era and lies in an ancient neighborhood called Qashogh Tarashan (literally, means spoon makers). This structure contains of two cold and warm sections; however, the bathhouse’ utilization has changed to an anthropology museum at present. In addition, there is a traditional restaurant in the bathhouse where musicians perform.

Get Better Acquainted with Hamedan’s Handicrafts

This city is one of the main centers of rug weaving in Iran. The most important features of rugs in this region include low price, high variety, and long woolly fringes. The city is also one of the most important centers of producing and exporting leather in Iran. On the other hand, the potteries produced in Lalejin is one of the most popular souvenirs in this area.

The Traditional Dishes of Hamedan

Hamedan is the city of various kinds of pickles and jam. Currently, more than 100 types of pickles are produced from local herbs and spices in Hamedan.

There is a high variety of foods in the city, and five local foods of this city have been listed in Intangible Cultural Heritage‎ of Iran.

Some of the local sweets of this city has a history of 150 to 200 years. Among them one can mention Komaj, Gheychi Candy, Angosht Pich, Halwa lozi, Naan Chai and Rahat-ol-holqum.

Visiting Hamedan, a City with a Long History

On your trip to Iran, you will always have the opportunity to visit the important historical cities, stroll in the historical textures and listen to their chronicle. Among the most important features of Hamedan, one of the important historical cities of Iran, one can mention the bond of history and nature.

1001 Nights Tours has tried to include Hamedan, as a historical and mountainous city, in its tours. As a result, you can experience adventure tours which offers you delightful climbing in an important mountain of Iran. In addition, you can be better acquainted with the culture and history of this wonderful city. In order to read more about our itineraries click here. If you are interested to increase your knowledge about the important mountains of Iran click here.

 

Country: IRAN
State: Hamedan