Echoes of the past: gold rhyton in the form of a winged lion

TEHRAN - Drinking vessels of varied designs flourished throughout the Near East from the 1st millennium BCE well into the Islamic era.

Storm shows another part of Fahraj Spice Road

TEHRAN—Storm showed another part of Fahraj Spice Road. The Spice Road was one of Iran’s first ancient routes for trading spice to various parts of the world. It was connected to Silk Road. Some parts of it were exposed in the late 1990s due to a severe storm.

Tourism, one of Iran's soft power tools in international interactions

TEHRAN—The Secretary of the Cabinet Seyyed Kamel Taqavi-Nejad said today, tourism is not only an industry but is one of the effective tools for Iran’s economic and cultural diplomacy.

224 Hamedani Mookebs render services to Arbaeen pilgrims

TEHRAN—Reza Mousavi, a senior official of Hamedan province, said 224 Mookebs (service centers with a religious nature where Shia Muslims come together and conduct religious rituals during Arbaeen) have been launched across the province to render services to the pilgrims during Arbaeen.

University of Michigan professor congratulates Iran on UNESCO designation of Paleolithic caves

TEHRAN - Professor John D. Speth, a distinguished anthropologist and emeritus faculty member at the University of Michigan, has warmly congratulated the recent inscription of the Paleolithic caves of Iran’s Khorramabad Valley on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

‘I will never regret coming’: solo female traveler reflects amid Israel’s strikes on Iran

TEHRAN - When 24-year-old Taiwanese traveler Ariel Kang Chengxuan went to bed on June 12 in Isfahan, Iran, she had no idea she was about to wake up in the midst of all-out war.

Historic graveyard with 1,793 ancient graves identified in central Iran

TEHRAN—A group of Iranian archaeologists identified 1,793 graves in an area of 1,000 hectares in Yazd province during their one-month explorations. Some 90 percent of tomb chambers have reportedly been destroyed in illegal drilling.

Bushehr province hosting Arbaeen pilgrims

TEHRAN—Bushehr province is hosting pilgrims who cross the southwest of Iran to go to Karbala in Iraq to participate in Arbaeen religious rituals.

Tehran hotel shelters over 300 war-affected people

TEHRAN – More than 300 residents of Tehran, whose homes were destroyed during the Israeli-imposed aerial war, have been temporarily housed at Laleh Hotel in the capital, the hotel’s manager announced on Sunday.

Zij-e Manijeh, a unique opportunity to draw visitors to Kermanshah

TEHRAN—Zij-e Manije, sometimes referred to as “Manijeh Castle,” is one of the ancient charms located near the city of Sarpol-e Zahab in Kermanshah province, western Iran.

Tazieh instruments put on display at Tehran’s Azadi Tower

TEHRAN – A private collection of artifacts related to Tazieh (a sort of religious passion play) instruments, including garments, masks, swords, flags, etc., has been put on display at Tehran’s Azadi Tower.

Rahmat tree in Taq-e Bostan turns 604 years old

TEHRAN - A centuries-old tree known as “Rahmat,” also referred to as “Shirin and Farhad,” which stands tall near the famed Taq-e Bostan in western Iran, has reached its 604th year of life, a local official announced on Saturday.

Reopening of museums planned in three stages, deputy minister

TEHRAN – Weeks after a halt in the 12-day Israeli-imposed war on Iran, Deputy Cultural Heritage Minister Ali Darabi announced the development of a three-stage plan for the safe and gradual reopening of museums and historical sites.

Tourism minister visits Great Wall of Gorgan in northern Iran

TEHRAN - Iran’s tourism minister, Seyyed Reza Salehi-Amiri, paid a visit to the Great Wall of Gorgan on Thursday, where he inaugurated construction on the site’s first official visitor information center, which is regarded as a key milestone toward the wall’s eventual nomination for UNESCO World Heritage status.

By Afshin Majlesi

A journey beyond the misconceptions

TEHRAN - For those who dare to look beyond the headlines, Iran unveils a spectacular array of treasures. From the ancient ruins of Persepolis, once the ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid Empire, to the winding alleyways and wind towers of Yazd, a UNESCO-listed desert city, the country is a living museum.

Milestone recognition marks Iran’s first Paleolithic World Heritage site

TEHRAN - In a landmark announcement during the 47th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee on Friday, in Paris, the Prehistoric Sites of the Khorramabad Valley were officially inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list. 

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Top 3 Cities to Visit in Iran: A Journey into History and Culture

Iran is a country with a rich heritage, where every street has traces of ancient civilisations, and the architecture astonishes with its magnificence. It is a land where Eastern traditions, unique art, and a history spanning thousands of years intertwine. If you are planning a trip to this extraordinary country, make sure to explore these three key cities that will immerse you in the culture and heritage of Iran.

Zarand to hold second meteorite market in December

TEHRAN—The second meteorite market will be held in Zarand, Kerman province, during December 2025, said Abdolhossein Hemmati, an MP representing Zarand and Kouhbanan in the Iranian parliament.

Emergency protection of Ayatollah Taleqani house, library planned

TEHRAN—Managing director of Tehran Municipality’s Cultural Spaces Development Company, Mohammad Nazem Razavi, gave news of holding a strategic session for renovation of the building facade and emergency protection of the museum house and personal library of late Ayatollah Mahmoud Taleqani.

Anniversary of Yazd’s UNESCO designation: a reminder for preserving its rich heritage

TEHRAN - Concurrent with the anniversary of the UNESCO registration of Yazd city on July 9, the deputy governor general of Yazd province called the registration an “exceptional opportunity” for preserving this valuable heritage.

Historic Persian-Georgian documents of Iran’s Afsharid era digitized with British Library support

TEHRAN - A significant cultural heritage preservation initiative has culminated in the digitization and cataloguing of rare Persian and Georgian-Persian historical documents from the Afshar period, preserved at the Korneli Kekelidze National Centre of Manuscripts in Tbilisi, Georgia.

By Afshin Majlesi

Cultural heritage is a voice against hostile narratives, Iran tourism minister says

TEHRAN – In a press conference held on Tuesday afternoon, Iran’s Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts, Seyyed Reza Salehi-Amiri, along with his deputies, addressed the ministry’s role in shaping cultural resilience during the recent 12-day conflict with Israel.

Sistan-Baluchestan ready to host Pakistan’s pilgrims traveling to Karbala

TEHRAN—Sistan-Baluchestan people are famous for their hospitality. Every year, as Arbaeen approaches, they prepare to welcome and host Pakistani pilgrims on the Arbaeen pilgrimage of the son of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in Karbala, Iraq.

Gomrok caravanserai in Shiraz renovated

TEHRAN--Gomrok Caravanserai in Vakil Bazaar, Shiraz, Fars province, was renovated with a credit worth 49.5 billion rials ($55,078) secured from the Oil Ministry, said a provincial tourism chief.

Iran, Tajikistan should be pioneers in unifying Persian-speaking world

TEHRAN—Iran and Tajikistan, as two wings of Persian culture, should be pioneers in unifying the Persian-speaking world, said Hojjatollah Ayyoubi, head of Tourism Ministry’s Center for International Affairs.

11,000-year-old secret revealed: Boars transported across Zagros for ritual feasts in western Iran

TEHRAN - A study by an international team has revealed that pre-agricultural communities at the Early Neolithic site of Asiab, near Kermanshah in western Iran (~9660–9340 cal BCE), engaged in complex logistical efforts to provision large-scale ritual feasts.

Rab'-e Rashidi: restoration campaign, land acquisition drive launched

Firoozkooh, a cool destination for summer trips

TEHRAN—Head of Firoozkooh Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Department called Firoozkooh in Tehran province as one of the best options for traveling in summer, given its numerous natural and climatic potentials.

Renovation operation of Qarahbil caravanserai planned in North Khorasan

TEHRAN— The cultural heritage chief of North Khorasan province gave news of renovation operation of Qarahbill rabat (roofed caravanserai) in Garmeh, North Khorasan province.