Zanjan benefits from natural defense, and have always been a difficult city to conquer. In the Arabs invasion, it was one of the last cities to be overcome, and in Mongols’ attack people resisted bravely, but was defeated eventually. The destructions left by Mongols were so severe that no one even approached the city’s ruins for a long time. With Ilkhanid Kings’ desire to make a city in Sultanieh, Zanjan became more and more abandoned. It was the overthrowing of the Ilkhanid and forsaking of the Sultanieh city that revived Zanjan. Unlike Sultanieh, Zanjan was on the path of caravans, and that made it a much better choice for living and trading. Although it took Zanjan a long time to become a city again, all the efforts were wasted when Tamerlane attacked the country and destroyed whatever was on his path.

The ambassador of the king of Spain, that visited the court of Timurids describes that when he visited the city, the main part of Zanjan was in ruins. It takes Zanjan a long time to become a populous city again. In the Safavid Era that the country becomes stabilized, Zanjan gains a chance to become thriving once again; the oldest remaining site of the city belongs to this period as well. It is a caravanserai in the eastern side of the city with a gate known as Hamedan Portal. Today, the caravanserai is mostly ruined.

When Aqa Muhammad Khan becomes the king, the city was advanced enough to have different neighborhoods. In this time Zanjan had three sections, the central area where the governmental and religious structures were found, the eastern side where Bazaar was located known as Youkary Bashi, and the western lands known as Ashaqeh Bashi.

The neighborhoods of the city were named after the family or person that made them, and had all the necessary elements like mosque, Tekieh, bathhouse, small bazaar, water reservoir and other service constructs. This division of neighborhoods and their internal unification is still seen in the religious rituals held in the city.

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The city of Zabol is also known for the Khajeh Mountain and Rostam Castle that is in the western side of it. In the heights of the mountain there is an inscription of Rostam, the legendary Iranian hero mentioned in Shahnameh, carrying a two sided mace. In the southern hills of the mountain there is the remnant of a construct that is estimated to belong to Parthian time. There are also other attractions in the city or around it including Karkoyeh Fire Temple, Edalat Throne, Saam Castle, Dahaneh Gholaman, Ramroud Castle, Tapeh Castle, and Khajeh Qaltan Mausoleum.

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Yazd is the capital of Yazd Province, Iran.

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After the Arab’s invasion, and with the advancing of Neishabour, the city of Tous loses its importance. However, when Mongols attacked the country both cities were destroyed by Genghis Khan, and reconstructed by his descendants. The tale of travelers tells us that by the time Nader of Afsharid tribe became the king, nothing but ruins remained from the city. The archeological excavations of the city’s historic highlights has brought to the visitors attractions like Tous Citadel, Bareh Tous, city’s ancient fortification, Harounieh, Akhangan Tower, Imam Mohammad Ghazali Mausoleum, and the Mausoleum of Ferdowsi.

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Tehran is the capital of Iran and the center of Tehran Province. It is located in the Southern hill of Alborz Mountain Range with people who speak Farsi with Tehrani accent. The northern part of the city that neighbors the mountain has colder weather, and the southern parts that are near the central parts have warmer weather.

There are many theories regarding where the name Tehran comes from. Some consider ran a suffix meaning mountain hill and put it in contrast to Shemiran that is located in the north side of Tehran. In this regard, Tehran means the “lower side” and Shemiran means the “upper side.” In a similar theory, Tehran is taken to come from “Tehram” meaning warm area and Shemiran from “Shemiram” meaning cold area. There are also those who consider Tehran as the simplified version of “Tah Ray An” meaning the end of Ray which is a city in the south of Tehran that used to be a very important and populated city. In a history book called Merat Albaladan, the writer claims that the people of Tehran went to underground refuge cells when the city was under attack, and therefore came to be known as Tehran meaning underground.

Tehran had many natural benefits like the mentioned underground cells, and being surrounded by mountains made is a suitable place for those who wanted to hide. From other hand, it was on the path of Caravans that made it an ideal place for bandits. Until Shah Tahmasp became the king and chose Qazvin as his capital, the city of Tehran was mostly inhabited by bandits and thieves.

When Safavid came to throne, the closeness of Tehran to Qazvin made it important. The Safavid kings that considered themselves as the descendants of Seyed Hamzeh who was in turn a descendant of the 7th Shiite Imam, needed a place to stay when they visited their ancestor. The mausoleum of Seyed Hamzeh was near Tehran, and he beautiful nature of it caught the attention of Shah Tahmasp I. He ordered the city to be bordered by ditch and rampart. It is said that the fortification of the city in the Safavid time had 114 towers representing the Surahs of Quran.

In the Shah Abbas’s reign, many bridges, palaces and caravanserais were made in the area. In the northern side of the fortification, a Persian Garden and palace were made that was separated by protecting walls and turned into a governmental post. Later, other palaces were added to the complex, and it became the masterpiece that we know today as Golestan Palace.

Karim Khan in his battles with the chief of Qajar Tribe chose Tehran as his center, and on wining the battles he held his coronation here and took the throne with the title “Vakil Al Raaya.” Tehran stood courageously when the Afghans attacked the country, and therefore when they were defeated, the Afghans destroyed the city with its many gardens and trees. Nader Shah came to revive the city, and made it blooming again. He gathered the rulers of Islamic countries to make an alliance and unify the countries.

Before the excavations of Qeytarieh and Abas Abbad, the oldest signs of dwelling belonged to the city of Ray. With the new researches however, it was proved that the history of living in Tehran dates back to at least the second millennium BC. The most important tourist attractions of the city includes Golestan Palace, Sa’d Abad Palace, Niavaran Palace, National Museum, Abgineh Museum, Reza Abasi Museum, Museum of Contemporary art, Carpet Museum, Museum of National Treasury, Tehran Grand Bazaar, Tajrish Bazaar, and Toghrol Tower.

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Tekab means the narrow string of water, or a land that such narrow string passes from; it also means a valley that water passes through.  The name of the city was changed to Tekab around 90 years ago. Before that, the city was called Tikan Tappeh that means the hill of thorns. The area is known for housing a subsect of Turkman tribe known as Qarakhlo that entered Iran when Mongols attacked Iran and settled around Atrak River. They later left Atrak Area and came to Azerbaijan to live in the place we know today as Tekab.

Shah Ismail moved a group of the Qarakhlo to North Khorasan, but his descendant that feared their increasing tribal power moved them from North Khorasan to Urmia. This area has two specific sections with different weather. Tekab is the center of one of these two sections that was named Zamoa in the time that Assyrian ruled it. With the formation of the Medes, the city became an important economic center. The only thing remained from this time is the handmade cave of Karaftu. The cave functioned as a refuge in time of war and battle.

From the excavations of the Tekab, objects from different time are found. Although the city was important in the Achaemenid time, it is the Parthian and Sassanid time that are considered as the prime time of the city. The historic site of Takht-e Soleyman includes a natural pond, Azargoshnasb Fire Temple, Char-Taqi construct, Royal Palace and Royal Hall. In addition to Takht-e Soleyman, there are other attractions such as Soleyman Prison, Belqeys Mountain, Jameh Mosque, Qajur Dam, Uqul Beig Mosque, Tekab Bazaar, Hot Water Spring, and Sardar Afshar Castle.

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The etymologists consider different roots for the word Tabriz. It might have been Tebriz that is the Arabized version of the Pahlavi word Tavrij which is a proof of the city’s ancient history. The name refers to the volcanic activity of Sahand Mountain that is accompanied by heat. Other pronunciations of the word include Tavrej or Tavresh. In the current form, Tabriz is made of two parts, Tab meaning fever and Riz meaning to flow. Together they can mean something that makes the heat flow, probably referring to the hot water spring. The city was also called Tavri meaning spring, the word still used by the Qanbar Abad Villagers to refer to Tabriz.

The history of Tabriz dates back to Parthian or Sassanid time. The city has been the capital of Iran in eight dynasties, and the residence of crown prince in one dynasty. The prime time of the city is the Ilkhanid time. In Qajar time, it is revived especially because the crown princes of Qajar kings were sent here to live and learn the ways of ruling.

After the invasion of Arabs, a group of them remained to live here. With the economic advancement, the city became more and more important. When in 9th century a catastrophic earthquake shook the city, the city was important enough for caliph to order its immediate reconstruction. The time of prosperity doesn’t last long, and once again the earthquake destroys it.

The Mongols attack and the natural disasters weakened the city. However, when the Mongols decided to remain in country after their second invasion, the city experienced its boom. The Ilkhans chose Tabriz as their capital, and with the counsel of Iranian ministers, the city became one of the most thriving cities of the country. Tabriz continued its grandeur in the following dynasties.

In Safavid time, Tabriz was still Iran’s capital, but proximity to Ottomans land made it vulnerable. The city was conquered by ottomans numerous times, and then taken back by the Iranian troops. By the time the capital was moved to Qazvin, Tabriz already lost around 200 thousands of its residents. By the end of the 18th century, Tabriz has become a deserted city. With Qajars choosing it as the place where the crown prince lived and ruled to be ready for ruling the whole country, the city revives and is once again popular. The Iran – Russia wars, however, made it a target of Russians, and the city fell to the hands of Russians. With the peace treaty being signed, the city of Tabriz was returned to Iran. In the peace that followed, and with the ruling of Abbas Mirza, the crown prince, the city started developing.

Tabriz was crucial in the Constitutional Revolution. Even when the activities in Tehran were suppressed, Tabriz didn’t pull back and kept the ground. If it wasn’t for the Tabrizi revolutionists going to Tehran, then perhaps the Constitutional Revolution wouldn’t take place.

In a coup that took place in 1920s, Reza Khan took the control of the country. Following the coup, the country fell into chaos, and a general of army in Tabriz claimed independence of the area which was quickly suppressed by the Reza Khan troops. With Communism in Russia, and the closing of borders, the economics of Iran, especially Tabriz was seriously damaged.

In Iran – Iraq war, like the rest of the western part of the country, Tabriz was influenced and damaged. The reconstructions immediately began after the war was over, and Tabriz became a metropolis in the years that followed. The highlights of the city’s attractions are Tabriz Citadel, Kaboud Mosque, Einali Mosque, Shah Goli or Ill Gulu, and the City Hall building.

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The city is in its prime when Uljeito becomes the king, and comes to the city to resume the unfinished orders of his ancestor. In order to do so, he forcefully moved many artists, architects, craftsman, and tradesman to Sultanieh. He decided to increase the walled borders of the city from 12 thousand feet to 30 thousand feet, and ordered the construction of the Sultanieh dome. The edifice is the third biggest dome of the world after Santa Maria Del Fiore of Florence, and Hagia Sofia of Istanbul. There are couples of theories as to why the building was made. It is mentioned that it was to be used as a Shrine for Shiite Imams, Ali and Hussain that was prevented by the clerics of Iraq since exhumation is forbidden in Islam. It is also believed that the mausoleum was made for Uljeito. Interestingly though, there are no graves in the building.

Uljeito ordered the most powerful of courtiers to choose a section of a city and make a neighborhood under their mane. Khajeh Rashid Al Din Fazl Allah and Chalabi Uqlo, the high ranking courtiers and scholars, each made a section of city with different private and public constructs. The Chalabi Uqlo mausoleum and school was made in this time. When Uljeito died, all those who were obliged to move and live in Sultanieh leaved the place. Sultanieh slowly lost its importance and with the Timurid attack the city got almost destroyed. Miranshah, in particular, was very hostile. He destroyed many constructs; it’s a miracle that couple of constructs survived.

In Safavid time, the city has already lost its place, but it was still one of the main resting areas of the kings that went from Tabriz to their hunting or summer/winter palaces. Although it was frequently visited, not much is remained from the Safavid time beside a mausoleum said to belong to Molla Hassan Kashi.

When Qajar came to throne, the Iran – Russia wars took place, and the king’s successive bad decisions caused drastic damages to the city. It is in this time that the Jameh Mosque of the city, that was the biggest building after Sultanieh Dome, is completely destroyed. With registration of Sultanieh Dome as a UNESCO world heritage, the city gains a tourism aspect, and as a result other attractions of the city come to attention as well. Today, city of Sultanieh is one of the most visited cities of Iran.

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Shushtar is believed to mean The Better Shush. When Shush lost its place, when it was on the verge of destroying, Shushtar was made to replace it. The place had better climate than Shush and had a more fertile soil, so it was used for a new city. There are also those who believe the name comes from the word Sheshdar, because the city had 6 gates or Shesh Dar. These six doors were Maparian, Desbol, Adineh, Lashkar, Maqam Ali, and Gargar. There is also this theory that considers the name a changed form of Shah Shater meaning the City of King.

In 2009, a series of constructs in Shushtar were registered under the title of Shushtar Hydraulic System that includes Shadravan Bridge, Mizan Dam, Kolah farangi Tower, Gargar handmade River, Gargar Dam and Bridge, waterfalls and water mills, Borj Ayar Dam, and many other similar constructs.

Although the city we call Shushtar today was probably made in the Sassanid time, the history of living in the area dates back to about 10 thousands years ago. The Elamite experts consider Shushtar as the Adamden city of Elamite Empire. The city is destroyed and a new one replaces it by the order of Achaemenid Kings. In the Greek and Roman texts, the city is referred to as Surkutir and in Arabian text it is known as Tester. The story of how Shadravan Dam is made is retold in Shahnameh as well.

With many excavations performed in the area, objects from prehistoric time, Achaemenid, Parthian and Sassanid dynasties were found. The city experienced its zenith in the Sassanid time. When Valerian, the Emperor of Rome, was defeated by Shapur I of Sassanid dynasty, he and his army were captured and brought to Iran. It is in this time that the magnificent Hydraulic System is made, taking influence from the culture of the captured Romans.

Shushtar was especially popular in the Islamic Era. It became a center of Islamic art, science, culture and education. When the country rose against the caliphs, Shushtar had strategic importance, in a way that getting Shushtar was like getting the whole Khuzestan Region.

In Safavid time, the city grows with the rest of the country. The governor of Shushtar made many constructs and turned the city to one of the most thriving cities of the country. At the early Safavid time, the city fell to chaos because of a religious battle among the followers of a man that claimed to be the 12th Shiite Imam and the government troops. With the claimers being defeated, the city was once again peaceful.

When Nader Shah became the king, the country had fallen apart as a result of Afghan’s attack and the end of Safavid dynasty. In the years that follow his coming to throne many rebellions took place by tribal leaders and rulers that hoped to become independent. Therefore, Nader Shah that wanted to unify the country again was in constant war, suppressing the riots. One of these riots happened in Shushtar, and the city was heavily damaged in the process. Although Nader ordered the reconstruction of the city after the battles, the city already lost a lot.

The religious disputes took another form in the Zand Era, as the two main strings of Mysticism stood against each other. Their disagreements weren’t always hostile, but it took physical form sometimes. The plague that took the city in Qajar time and the death that followed it stopped many things including the religious disputes.

In Pahlavi time, the clergies of the city opposed passing of railway from their city. In this time, the sailing in North Karoon stopped as well which eventually caused the city to lose its place to Ahvaz. Although the city has regained some of its previous fame with the new tourism investments, it is still far from what it once was before.

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Shush is a city in the North-West of Ahwaz with hot and dry weather. The city gains a new economic significance when Iran’s railroad was made. The historic attractions of the city, next to the holy shrine of Daniel, bring many visitors to Shush each year. With economic growth resulting from the investment in the area, more and more people immigrated and new job opportunities were provided. The three rivers of Karkheh, Dez and Shavoor are very influential in Shush’s thriving agriculture, and their banks are a suitable place for outings.

The ancient city of Shush, which is known in English as Susa, is one of the most important cities of Iran around Achaemenid time. The city was the capital of the great power of Elamite and the winter capital of Achaemenid kings. Although the city was popular in the mentioned era, the excavations here give us an 8-thousands-year history. In Greek, the city was known as Susana, and had other names including Susa, Sus, Susiana, and Suziana. The name might refer to the Liliaceae (Susanian in Farsi) that is a family of flowers. In middle ages, Susa was a massive city with strong fortification, citadel, bazaar, and mosque. The city is known for its silk products, Saccharum, and Bergamot orange. Besides, the shrine of Daniel the prophet makes the city a popular religious destination. With the center of Khuzestan province being moved to Ahwaz, the city lost its popularity.

Around 2700 years BC, the city becomes the center of Elamites and keeps its position as one of the capitals up to the end of Achaemenid time. It means that the city was the capital of the country for more than 3000 years. Until the Mongol’s attack, the city is prosperous and a center of trade, politics and arts; however, with the Mongol invasion comes the beginning of the city’s decline. From what is remained of its primetime, we understand that like other empire of the time, women were well respected, had the right of ownership, had jobs outside house and were active in trades. There are the names of female members of the king’s family mentioned in the Elamites heritages that prove the importance of women. The Elamites were polytheistic with two gods being more important than the others.  One is Hoban, and the other is Inšušinak that is known as the god of Susa.

Although the city never loses importance, with the defeat of Elamites it become less crucial in the political and economic life of the country. In Achaemenid time, however, the lost status is regained, and once again Susa shines. Being on the path of Royal Roads that Darius the Great made, adds to the city’s significance. The Royal Roads connected Takht-e Jamshid (Persepolis) as the political capital of Achaemenid to Susa, Pasargadae and Lydia.

Susa is the 18th heritage to be registered from Iran.  The site includes several subsections including, the Shaoor palace, Apadana palace, East gate, Hadish palace, Fifteenth city, Achaemenid village, Acropol mound, Islamic constructs, Jameh mosque of Shush, and French mansion.

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Shiraz, Fars Province, Iran – Hafez Tomb
Photo by Ondrej Zvacek via Wikimedia Commons / CC-BY-SA-3.0

Shiraz is one of the biggest cities, and the center of Fars province with moderate weather. The city was originally placed where today the Abu Nasr Castle is located, but was moved to the current location couple of decades after the advent of Islam in the country. Shiraz becomes popular when Estakhr, one of the ancient capitals of Iran is destroyed, and becomes a capital in the ruling of Safarid, Buyid, and Zand dynasties. Geographically, Shiraz is located in the southern hills of Zagros, and enjoys fertile soil and good weather, which makes it a suitable place for farming and herding. It was also on the path of caravans that went to Boushehr port.

The first time that the name of Shiraz comes to attention is on the Elamite tablets aging around 2000 years. There is a city named Tizares that was probably pronounce Sirajis in Old Persian, and was later turned to Shiraz as a result of change in phonetics. This name is also seen on the pottery remained from Sassanid time.

Shiraz’s proximity to the cities of Yazd, Kerman, Khuzestan, Isfahan, and the Persian Gulf made the city a suitable place for the Arab’s Army to make a base there. With the turning of Iranian to Islam, the city of Estakhr that was the main city of the area, and a reminder of the defeated empire lost its place and Shiraz replace it. When Safarid chose the place as their capital, Shiraz became even more popular. It was in this time that the first Jameh Mosque of the city was built.

In the 10th and 11th century, Buyid chose Shiraz as their center and built mosque, palace, library and new irrigation system. They believed in Shiite sect of Islam, but were lenient toward the Sunni Caliph and mostly submitted to him. The Buyid were supportive of other religions; on one occasion that a group attacked Zoroastrians, the Buyid ruler ordered their severe punishment.

Around two centuries later that the Atabakan ruled Shiraz, the Mongol attack happened. With the negotiations done by the rulers, the Mongols didn’t destroy the city, and accepted tribute. Although Shiraz was saved from the Mongol attack, the rest of the country weren’t, and therefore, after the war many people immigrated to Shiraz. The City was also saved from the Tamerlane’s attack which again helped with its popularity.

In the Safavid time, the whole country improved, but the already developed city of Shiraz was caught between the conflicts of Sunni and Shiite leaders. Shah Ismail that was a Shiite himself murdered many of Sunni leaders. The peaceful life of the city was disturbed, but that didn’t stop the rulers from adding constructs and further developing Shiraz. Unlike the previous two deadly wars, Shiraz couldn’t avoid the Afghan’s attack. It is said that the city was surrounded for months and thousands of people lost their life. The attack ended the Safavid Dynasty.

With Nader Shah on the throne, many of the Afghan’s destructions were reconstructed. The loss of central power and balance, however led to rebellions by small tribal leaders that had founded the perfect opportunity to rise to power. Nader Shah defeated all the oppositions and once again the country found semblance of central power.
Shiraz saw many ups and downs, it was destroyed and remade by different kings, but the prime time of the city is experienced in the Zand Era. Karim Khan chose Shiraz as his capital and many constructs were made including the Vakil Bazaar, Vakil Bathhouse, Vakil Mosque, Karim Khan Citadel, and houses for the Lak and Lor soldiers of the army. After Karim Khan, his descendant couldn’t keep the throne. When Aqa Muhammad khan became the king, the capital was moved to Tehran, and although the city wasn’t abandoned, it didn’t possess the previous significance.

Today, more than anything the city is known for its historic attractions that are a proof of its ancient history. Attractions of the city include Vakil Complex, Karim Khan Citadel, Nasir ol Molk Mosque, Shah Cheraq Holly Shrine, Narenjestan Mansion, Jameh Mosque, Hafez Mausoleum, Sa’di Mausoleum, and many gardens like Delgosha, Eram, and Golshan.

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It is believed that the city dates back to the Sassanid time when Artaxerxes I became the king and founded the Sassanid Empire. He was the son of Babak, and therefore came to be known as Babakan as well. Having many mines in the area has made the city include several industrial complexes. The city is filled with valuable historic and natural attractions like Mussa Khani Mansion, Meymand Rocky Village, Ayoub Cave, Aabdar Mountain Village, and Rivas plain.

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