By Afshin Majlesi

Pigeon towers significant but strange buildings of ancient times

Pigeons are many times deemed as mere nuisances especially by city dwellers. However, they were quite valuable in ancient Iran, mostly for their droppings!

Badrud historical houses to help generate jobs, reverse migration

TEHRAN – A number of historical houses scattering across Badrud, an ancient town in Natanz county, central Isfahan province, are set to be restored in a bid to help the cultural heritage and tourism sector generate jobs and spur reverse migration in the region.

UNESCO-tagged Imam Square in Isfahan being restored

TEHRAN – A restoration project has been commenced on the walls of the east side of the UNESCO-registered Imam Square in Isfahan, central Iran, CHTN reported.

Safavid-era mosque in central Iran back to former glory

TEHRAN – The Safavid-era (1501–1736) Khosro Mosque in the ancient oasis town of Ardestan, central Isfahan province will undergo some rehabilitation works, a provincial tourism chief has said.

Czech globetrotters visit South Khorasan province

TEHRAN – A group of globetrotters from the Czech Republic arrived on Friday in Ayask, an ancient town in Sarayan county, eastern South Khorasan province.

Ancient human skeleton unearthed in Isfahan

TEHRAN – The remains of an ancient person, believed to date back to the Parthian era (247 BC – 224 CE), has been discovered during an archaeological season which is underway at Tepe Ashraf, the sole archaeological hill in Isfahan, central Iran.

Islamic-era relics found in historical mansion in Isfahan

TEHRAN – Some pieces of pottery and porcelain dating back to the Islamic era have recently been found during the restoration of Bekhradi Mansion in the central Isfahan province, a senior police official in charge of protecting cultural heritage has said.

Newly unearthed workshops may push back history of Isfahan by millennia

TEHRAN – Archaeologists have unearthed the ruins of two workshops, estimated to date from the Parthian era (247 BC – 224 CE), in Isfahan in a significant discovery that may push back the history of the central Iranian city in time by millennia.

Visit Jameh Mosque of Ardestan one of earliest Islamic structures in central Iran 

TEHRAN - The Jameh Mosque of Ardestan, which is named after an ancient oasis town of the same name in central Iran, is of high historical importance as it incorporates successive architectural styles of the Sassanids, Buyids, Seljuks, and Safavids.

New properties in Isfahan inscribed on National Heritage list

TEHRAN – A total of 20 aging structures and sites, which are scattered across the central Isfahan province, have recently been inscribed on the National Heritage list, CHTN reported.

Visit 17th-century museum-like factory in Isfahan

TEHRAN – “Assarkhane” is a Persian word equivalent to a traditional oil-extracting factory where special mills are/were used to grind stuff such as stones, turmeric, and pepper. There were many Assarkhanes operational in every corner of Iran in the time of yore.

17th-century masterpiece of Persian architecture undergoes urgent restoration

TEHRAN – Segments of Si-o-Se-Pol, the 17th-century bridge widely known as a masterpiece of Persian architecture, has undergone urgent restoration in Isfahan, central Iran.

Historical Abyaneh village unaffected by fire incident

TEHRAN – A fire that broke out across gardens of Abyaneh village in the central province of Isfahan on Wednesday has inflicted no damage to the historical texture of the village, CHTN reported.

Isfahan exports $39m of handicrafts in year

TEHRAN – Handicrafts exports from the central province of Isfahan reached some $39 million during the previous Iranian calendar year 1398 (ended March 19), CHTN reported.

Discovery of bizarre tomb offers clues to ancient life in Isfahan

TEHRAN – The discovery of the second giant jar-tomb in the sole historical hill of Isfahan has shed new light on ancient human life in the central Iranian city.

Ancient watermill in central Iran restored for tourism

TEHRAN – An underground ancient watermill, which is said to be the biggest of its kind in Iran, has been restored by the private sector after decades of abandonment as a new destination for sightseers and history buffs.

EU designates Naghsh-e Jahan Sq. as World Heritage asset

TEHRAN – The Horizon 2020, which is a massive EU research and innovation program, has recently registered the 17th-century Naghsh-e Jahan Square in the city of Isfahan as a World Heritage asset with the goal of making world-firsts more known and lucrative, IRNA reported on Friday.

Chahar Bagh historical school getting back to its heyday

TEHRAN – Restoration of the historical dome of Chahar Bagh Theological School in the city of Isfahan is underway, CHTN reported on Tuesday.

Discover qalamkari, the traditional art of printing 

TEHRAN – Photos depict Iranian craftspeople practicing the traditional art of qalamkari – printing on cotton or silk fabric with a tamarind pen using natural dyes - in a workshop in the city of Isfahan, May 15, 2020. 

Centuries-old polo field discovered in western Iran

TEHRAN – A centuries-old Chogan (polo) filed with stone gates, one of which bearing a dedicatory inscription, has recently been found near a village in Iran’s western Lorestan province, provincial tourism chief has announced.

Isfahan reopens tourist sites as coronavirus restrictions ease

TEHRAN – Tourist attractions and historical sites in the central Isfahan province have been allowed to reopen their doors to the public as coronavirus lockdown measures are relaxed in the country. 

Labyrinthine Bazaar of Isfahan may equal an endless charm for you!

TEHRAN - One of Iran’s most historic and fascinating traditional marketplaces, the sprawling covered Bazaar of Isfahan (locally known as Bazaar-e Bozorg) is situated in a city of the same name.

Handicraft exports from Isfahan surge 27%, hit $40 million

TEHRAN - Handicrafts exports from Isfahan province, long been home to talented artisans and craftspeople, reached $40 million during the past Iranian calendar year 1398 (ended March 20), showing 27 percent growth year on year.

Over 70 sites in Isfahan inscribed as national heritage 

TEHRAN – Seventy one historical and natural sites in central province of Isfahan have been inscribed on the national heritage list during the previous Iranian calendar year 1398 (ended March 20), provincial tourism chief has said.

12 ancient sites to go in western Iran

TEHRAN – From the coasts of the Persian Gulf to the lush mountainous forests of the northwest, and from snow-tipped northern cliffs to scorching southern deserts, here is a pick of ancient sites to inspire, delight and motivate if willing to visit wild western Iran.

Child laborers to be provided with anti-corona aid

TEHRAN – The Social Security Organization plans to provide child laborers with packages of antiseptics and educational items in order to help them prevent the spread of coronavirus.

Imam Mosque: A grand, impressive jewel of Isfahan 

TEHRAN – At the southern end of Isfahan’s main square stands the big, grand and impressive Imam Mosque, which is not only impressive because of its sheer size and incredible decorations, but also helps to get a good impression of the needs and challenges of always on-going restoration works.

Travels banned to Iran’s “golden triangle” over virus fears

TEHRAN – Like many other destinations across Iran, its famed “golden triangle” of tourism, which is referred to the cities of Isfahan, Shiraz, and Yazd, has announced it will host no visiting tourists until further notice in a bid to curb the coronavirus outbreak.

Dutch FM visits Isfahan, says ready to deepen tourism ties

TEHRAN – Foreign Minister of the Netherlands Stef Blok said on Friday that his country is willing to expand economic and tourism relations with Iran, particularly with Isfahan province.

Atashgah: A hillside Zoroastrian fire temple in Isfahan

TEHRAN – Though Iran is a Muslim-majority country, it is home to ancient Zoroastrian sites still retaining otherworldly charm.