TEHRAN – A gigantic carpet depicting scenes from Iranian history will go on display in Birjand, the capital of South Khorasan province, according to the provincial cultural heritage authority.

Seyyed Ahmad Baraabadi, Director General of the Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts Department of South Khorasan, told reporters on Saturday that the Qajar-era carpet represents both the province’s rich weaving traditions and its potential for tourism development.

Baraabadi said pictorial carpets are rare in the region, where most rugs are traditionally decorated with geometric designs such as Lachak-Toranj and Kheshti. “This carpet is one of the few examples with a pictorial design, usually woven by special order for individuals or state institutions,” he said.

The carpet, about 27 square meters, is considered the largest of its kind in Iran and possibly the world. It depicts a grand building above two rows of soldiers, each line showing 12 men in different uniforms. The design also includes human figures, women in local attire, architectural features, plants, two ships, fish, and water motifs.

Baraabadi said the carpet is believed to have been woven in a rural area within South Khorasan. He added that the imagery may depict a historical event ordered by a foreign patron, possibly connected to Europe or India, but adapted with local cultural elements.

“The carpet carries many cultural and historical messages. It is not just a decorative piece but a historical document,” Baraabadi said.

He noted that posters explaining the carpet and eight accompanying heritage objects have been translated into six languages -- English, Arabic, French, Chinese, and Russian -- to help introduce the province’s cultural heritage to international audiences.

Baraabadi said the exhibition aims to highlight South Khorasan’s role as a historic weaving hub and to link its cultural identity with modern tourism promotion. “This is an opportunity to present the hidden aspects of our heritage and demonstrate that South Khorasan has long been one of Iran’s important carpet-weaving centers,” he said.

AM