Hamadan

Radiating with six straight avenues from a central square (Imam Khomeini), Hamadan is one of the oldest continually inhabited town, centers of civilization, and numerous capitals of different dynasties that have ruled Iran through the ages. Capital of the province of Hamadan, at the foot of Mount Alvand, and located at an altitude of 1,829 m above sea level. It was the residence of Achaemenian King, and the summer resort of the Parthian and Sassanian dynasties due to its strategic vicinity to Ctesiphon. In the 7th century AD Hamadan was passed to the Arabs, and it was later held by the Seljuk Turks (12th-13th centuries) and the Mongols (13th-14th centuries).

Hagmatana

Hagmatana Hill, with ruins of the walls and ramparts of the Median and Achaemenian periods. Located in Ekbatan Street (north of Ekbatan Square), which is presently under archaeological excavations and Mosalla Hill (now a park), situated in the east of Ayatollah Mofatteh Avenue, which is said to be the ancient site of Anahita Temple.

According to some archaeologists, the site had been a Parthian stronghold, the remains of which could be seen until a few years ago, with parts of its ramparts visible even today. The ruins of ancient Hagmatana, on the site of which the present Hamadan stands, date from the period of Median monarchs (7th and early 6th centuries BC) who had made that city their capital. Hagmatana was further developed under the Achaemenian and Parthian rulers and was known as the first capital of the ancient Persian.

 

 

 

Sights to See

• Avicenna’s Mausoleum and Museum
  The world-famous Iranian scientist, philosopher, and physician Abu Ali Sina known to the West as Avicenna, a prodigy who knew Koran by heart, lived in Hamadan for several years. He died in 1307. A large mausoleum built over his tomb in 1925.

 

• Mausoleum of Baba Taher
  Baba Taher, living in the first half of the 11th century AD, was one of the great Gnostics of Ahl-e Haq (Dervish or Follower of Truth) sect to which the Gnostic order of mountainous Iran belonged.

 

• Gonbad-e Alavian
  Gonbad-e Alavian (or Masjid-e Alavian) is a four-sided interesting 12th century mausoleum belonging to the late Seljuk period.

 

• Stone Lion
  The Stone Lion or Sang-Shir, as the Hamadanis call it, is a tremendous stone statue of a lion in the square of the same name in southeast Hamadan. It is in fact the handiwork of Alexander’s craftsmen, built probably in commemoration of one of the Macedonia s fallen generals, Hephaestion.

 

• Shrine of Esther and Mardocai
  Mausoleum of Esther and Mardocai in a small walled garden, believed to be the place where Esther, the Jewish Queen of Susa and Xerxes wife, and Mardocai, her uncle, have been buried.

 

• Borj-e Qorban
  Located in the eastern part of the city, the Borj-e Qorban (Qorban Dome) is a twelve-sided brick tower and a place of pilgrimage and Abol Ala of Hamadan (12th century AD).

 

• Bazaar
  The Hamadan bazaar is a sprawling affair that extends across several streets. The fruit bazaar displaying the region s famous produce and the pottery and leather sections are worth visiting.

 

Excursions around Hamadan

• Morad Beg Valley
  Situated in the outskirts of a village by the same name, the valley is used as a recreational and amusement center during the summer until mid autumn.

 

• Abbas Abad Valley
  This is a beautiful valley situated in a distance of 1 km from the city. It is used mainly during the summer days because of having a nice and pleasant weather.

• Ganj Nameh
  Hamadan`s oldest Achaemenian rock carvings consisting of two huge inscribed panels (twenty lines) carved on two rock faces of some two meters in height are located 5 km west of the city on the slopes of Mount Alvand.

 

• Ali Sadr Cave
  The wonderfully beautiful Alisadr Cave among the low hills of Kabudar Ahang 75 km to the north-west of Hamadan near a village by this same name and in the heights of Sari Qay`ah is one of the strangest natural sights and probably the only water cave in Iran.

 

 

• Lalejin
  In Lalejin village, all households are involved in the production of fine ceramic works with particularly original designs. There are works are highly favored by tourists and have a considerable exports market.

 

• The Seleucid Temple
  One the hillock in the center of the town of Nahavand city, there is a ruined temple from the Seleucid period, where an 85 by 46 cm slab of stone with 32-line inscription (royal decree) in old Greek, belonging to the reign of Antiochus, was discovered during the excavations undertaken in 1943.