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Tehran`s largest neighbor with an area of 10,743 square km on a low plain and 930 meters above sea level, Qom Province borders on Tehran and Semnan provinces
to the north, Esfahan to the south, and Central province to the east.
On route to Esfahan, Kashan, Yazd and Kerman by train or bus (on Tehran-Qom
highway), Qom as the capital of the province has easy access to Saveh and
Tafresh to the northwest; Mahallat and Delijan to the southwest, and Kavir and
salt lake to the east.
Its population according to the latest census amounts to more that 1,200,000
inhabitants.It can be conveniently visited in a day from Tehran.
Historical Background
According to historians, Qom dates back to centuries before the advent of Islam.
Its foundation is attributed to Pishdadi King Tahmures and the book 'Khosrow
Kavazan Varizaki', in Pahlavi script, from the Sassanid era, speaks of the
city's saffron and recreational center.
Reference to Qom has been made three times in Ferdowsi's Shahnameh, indicating
that the city was famous during Sassanid era.
Cultural Characteristics
The city of Qom has for years been the host to people interested in Holy Prophet
of Islam Hazrat Mohammad's (Peace be Upon Him and His Progeny) infallible
household, coming to the area to visit the holy shrine of Hazrat
Ma'soomeh (A.S.), the noble sister of Hazrat Ali Ibn Mousa Al-Reza (A.S.), the
Eighth Imam of the infallible household of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH), and the holy
Mosque of Jamkaran.
The seminary or the Islamic University, which serves as one of the major centers
for the propagation of religious sciences, has had an extraordinary influence on
the cultural development of the city of Qom.
Museum of the Holy Sanctuary, Qom
This museum consists of two large halls and its walls are face with dados of
exquisite mosaic tileworks. It is located next to the Holy Sanctuary of Hazrat-e
Ma'soomeh in Qom and houses a variety of items worth viewing. Among these is the
collection of carpets and rugs dedicated by Safavid Kings.
Handicrafts and Souvenirs
Pottery dishes and china utensils, silken carpets, lithic objects engraved
furniture and steel are among the handicrafts of Qum.
Pomegranate, figs, 'Suhan' (special sweet and delicious candy) and ceramic
dishes are the souvenirs travelers take on their return from Qum.
Baluchi needle works, pottery making, mat weaving, basket weaving, carpet
weaving, 'Gelim' weaving and 'Sekeh-Doozi' (coin works) are handicrafts and
travel gifts of the province.
Qom Silk rug
