Centuries-old watermill in Tehran being restored for tourism

TEHRAN – A centuries-old watermill, which is of high importance when it comes to the history of agriculture in southwest Tehran, is being restored to attain its former glory, and to be a tourist destination in a semi-arid landscape.

Iran seeks to expand handicrafts market in southern China

TEHRAN – Iran seeks to expand handicrafts exports to southern China, including Guangzhou province, mainly through holding exhibitions and selling products online.

Restoration of 16th-century Portuguese fort in Iran continues

TEHRAN – A fresh restoration work, which entails mapping survey, documentation, and masonry, has been commenced on the 16th-century Portuguese fort in the Persian Gulf island of Hormuz, southern Iran.

Coronavirus: Clean Cave Day to be observed under strict health protocols

TEHRAN – The Iranian Cave and Speleology Association has requested nature lovers and ordinary people not to enter caves on the Clean Cave Day, September 23, saying, this year the occasion will be observed under strict health protocols by experienced cavers.

77 historical relics, sites identified in plains of Kerman

TEHRAN – A total of 77 historical relics, places, and sites, including ruined fortresses, farmhouses, (archaeological) hills, tombs (or cemeteries), kilns, solo structures, have been identified on the outskirts of Fahraj in Kerman province, southeast Iran.

Iran attending UNTWO meeting on corona-hit tourism industry

TEHRAN – Iran has participated in the 112th session of the executive council of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), which started in Georgia on Tuesday, aiming to find ways to help the global travel industry recover from impacts of the coronavirus pandemic.

Archaeologists to save relics before Iron Age cemetery submerged in dam waters

TEHRAN – A team of archaeologists, cultural heritage experts, and diggers plan to recover ancient human remains and relics from an Iron Age cemetery in Mersin, Semnan province, before the cemetery is disappeared under the waters of a nearby dam.

Yazd’s outer ramparts, towers to be restored to former glory

TEHRAN – A restoration project has been commenced on ancient mudbrick ramparts and towers, which were once parts of defensive fortifications around the city of Yazd, which is now a UNESCO World Heritage.

Three-story cruise boat to promote marine tourism in Bushehr

TEHRAN – A three-story cruise boat is being built in Bushehr as part of a program for promoting marine tourism in the southwestern province.

Magnificent Ganjali Khan caravanserai undergoes restoration

TEHRAN – A restoration project has been commenced on the magnificent Ganjali Khan caravanserai, which is part of a 17th-century complex in Kerman, southeast Iran.

National Museum of Iran to hold loan exhibits in Chinese cities 

TEHRAN – The National Museum of Iran will be holding loan exhibits at major museums in some Chinese cities based on a previously-discussed initiative aimed to revive the glory of arts, architectures, and civilizations along the ancient Silk Road.

Iran should jump-start COVID-hit tourism under health protocols: VP

TEHRAN – First Vice-President Es’haq Jahangiri on Saturday tasked the tourism ministry with implementing strategic plans to help jump-start the country’s traveling sector ravaged by the coronavirus over the past couple of months.

‘Irresponsible’ activities banned in Qeshm Geopark to save UNESCO tag

TEHRAN – Any form of ‘irresponsible’ activities across Iran’s Qeshm Geopark has been ruled to be terminated across Qeshm Geopark, which is on the verge of losing its UNESCO status due to years of misconduct.

Iranian tourism, ancient civilization on show at China exhibit

TEHRAN – A delegation of Iranian crafters and tour operators are attending China International Tourism Industry Expo (CITIE), promoting tourism destinations, arts, and rituals of the ancient land to visitors. 

‘World’s biggest’ pictorial carpet pops up in Tehran

TEHRAN – A massive handwoven carpet, which according to a senior Iranian expert is ‘the biggest and oldest pictorial carpet in the world’ has recently been unveiled in the UNESCO-registered Golestan Palace in downtown Tehran.

Jaghoor Baghoor, the delicious taste of lamb’s pluck, made intangible cultural heritage

TEHRAN – The traditions know-how of cooking Jaghoor Baghoor, the delicious taste of lamb’s pluck, has been added to the intangible cultural heritage for local communities in Zanjan province, west central Iran. 

 Third Parthian skeleton unearthed in Isfahan

TEHRAN – Iranian archaeologists have discovered the remains of an ancient human in a prehistorical mount in Isfahan, central Iran, saying that is “the third Parthian skeleton” being unearthed there over the past couple of weeks.

Iran ranks tenth on UNESCO World Heritage list

TEHRAN - Iran ranks 10th in the world in terms of the number of historical monuments and sites registered on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

Vice president declares strategic plan for tourism development

TEHRAN - First Vice-President Es’haq Jahangiri on Monday declared a strategic plan for the development of the national tourism industry.

Rent exemption to ease pandemic impact on private tourism businesses

TEHRAN – The Iranian government has approved a plan to exempt the private sector operating historical sites and monuments from paying tax until the end of the current Iranian calendar year (March 19, 2021) in a bid to mitigate the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

Collector donates Sassanid silver coins to national museum

TEHRAN – An Iranian collector has donated over 50 silver coins dating back to the Sassanid era (224 CE–651) to the Astan Quds Razavi Museum, a vast cultural heritage exhibition located in the holy shrine complex of Imam Reza (AS) in Mashhad, northeast Iran.

UNESCO assessor to visit Uraman landscape in western Iran

TEHRAN – A senior expert affiliated with the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization will arrive in Iran in September to visit and review the current status of the Uraman rural landscape in western Iran, which is a candidate for becoming a World Heritage site in 2021.

Newly-unearthed ‘Parthian lady’ to be transferred to Isfahan museum

TEHRAN – A human skeleton which has recently been discovered during excavations at Tepe Ashraf in Isfahan and is believed to belong to a Parthian-era (247 BC – 224 CE) lady, will be transferred to the city’s Museum of Decorative Arts.

Responsible tourism a workable solution for coronavirus era: minister

TEHRAN – Iran’s tourism minister has said that responsible tourism is a workable solution for holidaymakers to get assured of safe traveling during the coronavirus pandemic.

International Craft Awards to focus on COVID-19 crisis: deputy minister

TEHRAN – The 4th International Craft Awards is slated to be held this year focusing on the impact of the coronavirus crisis on the handicraft industry, Iran’s deputy tourism minister has said. 

Mapping survey discovers ancient sites in southern Iran

TEHRAN – Tens of centuries-old relics and sites have recently been discovered during a mapping survey, which is underway across the Marvdasht plain, which is an archaeologically-rich area once the seat of power for the Achaemenid Persian Empire (c. 550 – 330 BC) in southern Iran.

By  Seyed Hossein Hosseiniseddiq

Muharram mourning rituals: Nakhlgardani in Shahroud

Nakhlgardani or palm-carrying ritual is the carrying of a huge wooden coffin and is a symbol of Muharram mourning in Iran. In the first decade of this month, the coffin, while covered with black and green cloth, is carried by numerous mourners due to its heavyweight. This structure is kept in Husseiniyehs (religious places) and mosques for the rest of the year.