|
|
(or Hamedan) is known as "Older Than History," one of the oldest
continuously occupied cities in the world.
Hamadan, ancient Ekbatan, center of civilization and capital of Persian empires,
such as Medians (6th century B.C.) Achaemenians, (5th B.C.) Parthians and
Sassanians who ruled over one after another.
Hamadan is one of the oldest cities of not only Iran but of the world. Its
historical origins date back to several centuries before Christ. Hamadan, which
was the summer capital of the Median and Achaemenid was then called Ekbatan or
Hegmataneh; meaning a place of assembly. Hamadan is one of the cradles of
Oriental civilization with legendary background.
The city is 1850 meters above the sea level and is 375 Kilometers from the
capital Tehran. It is the oldest Iranian city and one of the oldest in the
world.
At the Media era, the dawn of Iranian history, the city was called Hegmataaneh.
In Greek documents, however, the city was named Ekbatan.
The Hamadan of today is located In a distance of 336 kilometers from Tehran on the slopes of Mount Alvand. The city is stretched around a star-shaped square named after Imam Khomeini. Out of this square which has preserved its old and beautiful style of architecture, six avenues diverge from the angles of the star. Hamadan has been developed and renovated to a great extent in recent years and gradually this has changed the city's old fabric. There are still old neighbourhoods with nostalgic names in Hamadan besides its large modern streets and beautiful parks.
Abu Ali Sina _ Circle in Hamedan
Hamadan has always been well known for handicrafts like leather and ceramic
works, as well as for its beautiful carpets. The art of ceramics is centered in
the village of Lalejin in the vicinity of Hamadan. There are several ceramic
workshops and numerous skilful artists that create the most beautiful and
colorful ceramic ware in great numbers.
(Please click on the pictures to see enlarge)
 |
Avicenna square - The tomb of the great Iranian scientist Avicenna (world famous scientist, philosphor, physician and mathematician, 13th century A.D.) , is in Hamadan with a building and dome built in 1954. The design of the dome is inspired by the shape of Ghabous Voshmgir Tower. There is a library with a number of manuscripts in this building. In the courtyard of the building, there is a tomb belonging to the late Qajar period poet and song writer Abolghassem Aref. | |
 |
Ali sadr Caves - The mountainous position of Hamadan has led to the formation of many wonderful and beautiful caves of which according to specialists the Alisadr Cave is one of the most astonishing, There are few caves like this anywhere else across the world. Local people sometimes call it Alisadr or Alisad. | |
 |
Ghorban Tower - It is a 12 sided plain brick building with a pyramid shaped dome. It is located in the eastern part of the city; and there is a tomb in its crypt. | |
 |
Ganj Nameh (treasure book) - In the city's suburb, at the end of the beautiful Abbassaabad valley, there are two inscription on the rocks of Mount Alvand. One of them had been carved at the time of king Darius and the others at the time of King Khashayarsha, and their contents praise God, Ahura Mazda, list the lineage of the monarchs and pray for their country's safety. | |
 |
The Tomb of Baba Taher - The tomb of the writer of many romantic couplets, Baba Taher, is in Hamadan. The building of the great mystic's tomb has been built in a beautiful park northwest of Hamadan in recent years. | |
 |
Shir e Sangi (Stony Lion) - Attributed to Median period (6th-7th century B.C.) The Stony Lion is a big Parthian monument that was originally made like a lion. It is believed that once there was a counterpart far this monument. | |
The highland city of Malayer is located about 90 kilometers southeast of Hamadan with mild temperature. Although it is a very old city, yet the present city which was formerly called Dowlatabad was built in the early Qajar period. It is a city significant from the commercial point of view as it is located on the way to Khuzestan. There are some caves like Darreh Farakh and Sardkouh as well as the remains of some old fortresses around this city. Malayer has urban and medical facilities as well as guest houses and parks.
Located 150 kilometers south of Hamadan, Nahavand is an ancient and historical city. It was the site of the last war between the Iranian Sassanid troops and the Arab muslim warriors. There are still some remains of the ancient Nahavand on the slopes of a hill. Nahavand had been one of the ancient centres of the pre-Aryan tribes. The precious objects unearthed in Gian Hill region reveal that pre-historic civilized people with progressive arts and culture lived in this region. Meanwhile, Achaemenid and Sassanian remains have been found in Gara Chogha village in the vicinity of Nahavand. This city has old neighbourhoods with urban establishments to meet the people's requirements. It is a cold cit y with agricultural products like grains, fruits and famous handicrafts like rugs.
Twiserkan, located about 100 kilometers south of Hamadan, is the outcome of the merger of three old villages, namely Twi, Serkan and Meshkan. However, it was formerly called Roudlar. The latter was ruined in the invasion of Mongols and its people fled to those three villages. The ancient hills of Baba Kamal, Roudlar, Shahrestaneh, the remains of a Sassanid city in Velashjerd, the Seljuk Dome named after prophet Heighoogh, the Safavid Building of Sheikh Ah Khani School and the Qajar period indoor bazar, are all indicative of Twiserkan's historical background.
Located 50 kilometers north of Hamadan, Kabudarahang is a water-rich agricultural zone whose development started a few years ago.
This highland city was the birth place of the militant clergy Seyed Jamaleddin Assadabadi who was an advocate of the Islamic solidarity movement. Assadabad is the site of Iran's telecommunications satellite establishments.
