Investment in Qazvin’s tourism sector rises by 287%

TEHRAN – Some 6.3 trillion rials ($150 million at the official rate of 42,000 rials) have been invested in the tourism sector of the northwestern province of Qazvin over the past seven years, which shows a 287 percent increase, the provincial tourism chief has said. 

Ancient human settlement found in Qazvin

TEHRAN – Iranian archaeologists have discovered a human settlement, believed to be prosperous during the medieval Islamic times (6 to 7 AH), in Qazvin, west-central Iran.

By Afshin Majlesi

20 wonderful, must-see cultural sites in Iran

If you ask foreign visitors to Iran about the most characteristic future they discovered during excursions in the ancient land, the most possible answers may be somewhat like these: “It is the friendliest country on Earth with loads of warm-hearted welcome!”; “It is the jewel in Islam’s crown in terms of architecture”; “Being home to fascinating cultural heritage sites”; or “a land where echoes of ancient civilizations still resonate down through the ages!”

Qazvin Grand Hotel ready for new restoration project

TEHRAN – Buttressing measures have been conducted on the historical Qazvin Grand Hotel, which was established in 1922 in the west-central Iranian city. The monument that covers about 3,000 square meters in area is now ready for the next phase of restoration.

Seljuk-era twin tomb towers in Qazvin being restored

TEHRAN – Rehabilitation work has begun on the historical Kharaqan twin tomb towers in Avaj, northwestern Qazvin province, a provincial tourism chief has said.

Neanderthal-era tooth to go on show in Qazvin

TEHRAN – A fossilized tooth, which is amongst earliest evidence of Neanderthal settlements in the Iranian plateau, will be displayed at a museum in Qazvin, west-central Iran, where it was discovered in a nearby cave.

Sa’d-al Saltaneh, a top tourist site in Qazvin

The 19th-century bazaar of Sa’d-al Saltaneh is a top tourist site in the city of Qazvin, which was once the capital of the Persian Empire under Safavids from 1548-98.

Aqueduct heritage in west-central Iran ‘very complex and interesting’, senior archaeologist says

TEHRAN – The ruins of some 100 qanats (subterranean aqueducts), which are stretched beneath the Buin Zahra plain, west-central Iran, along with their associated cultural heritage are “very complex and interesting”, a senior Iranian archaeologist has said.

Rice planting commences at paddy fields in Alamut

Farmers plant rice seedlings on paddy fields across Alamut, a semi-mountainous region in Qazvin province, west-central Iran, July 5, 2020.

Avaj holds potential to become a tourism hub

TEHRAN – Avaj city in the northwestern province of Qazvin has the potential to become one of the tourism hubs of the country, the governor-general of the province has said.

Photo: ISNA/ Mahsa Ramezani

Harvest season brings new life to Iran’s Alamut

A farmer harvests red cherries in a garden on the outskirts of Alamut in Qazvin province, north-central Iran, June 29, 2020. The harvest season commenced couple of days ago in numerous lush gardens that are dotted in the mountainous region.

Achaemenid clay tablets, Iron Age relics, and skeleton to go on show at Qazvin museum

TEHRAN – A batch of recovered Achaemenid-era (550-330 BC) clay tablets, which were on loan from Iran to the Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago since 1935, along with an Iron Age collection composed of a human skeleton and burial relics, will be displayed at a museum in the city of Qazvin.

Exports of handicrafts from Qazvin hit $6.3m in year

TEHRAN – Handicrafts exports from the northwestern province of Qazvin reached $6.3 million during the previous Iranian calendar year 1398 (ended March 20), CHTN reported.

Ancient mountainous castle reopens to sightseers

TEHRAN – The historical castle of Alamout in Qazvin province opened its doors to the sightseers on Tuesday, after over two months of closure due to the coronavirus outbreak, IRNA reported. 

Qajar-era cistern to undergo restoration

TEHRAN – Qajar-era (1794–1925) Sardar Ab-Anbar (cistern) in northwestern province of Qazvin will undergo some rehabilitation works, provincial tourism chief has said. 

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.

Coronavirus: Qazvin reopens historical bazaar as lockdown eases

TEHRAN – The historical bazaar of Sa’d-al Saltaneh, which is located in the city of Qazvin, west-central Iran, has recently been reopened as lockdown measures are relaxed in the country.

Qazvin tourist attractions available online during coronavirus

TEHRAN – Some 15 tourist attractions in northwestern province of Qazvin can be visited on virtual tours, as the province’s tourism has gone into lockdown over the coronavirus pandemic, said provincial tourism chief Alireza Khazaeli, CHTN reported on Thursday.  

European expertise to help restore ancient mosque in Iran

TEHRAN – Several European professionals have announced readiness to share expertise and offer advice for partially restoring Jameh Mosque of Qazvin, which is one of the oldest congregational mosques in Iran.

Qazvin ancient sites on agenda for possible UNESCO registration

TEHRAN – Qazvin province’s tourism department announced on Sunday that it “seriously” pursues efforts to have ancient sites of Sa’d-al Saltaneh caravanserai and Alamut castle registered on UNESCO World Heritage list.

On the track of Iran’s ‘Assassins’ in once impenetrable mountainous castle

TEHRAN – Nested on top of a hill in a relatively remote village amidst the northern Iran’s Alborz Mountains, a well-fortified castle was sheltering the followers of Hasan-e Sabbah (1070–1124), spiritual leader of Islam’s heretical Ismaili sect, known as ‘Assassins’.

Iran, Kazakhstan to jointly build an industrial, commercial complex in Aktau SEZ

TEHRAN- Iran and Kazakhstan inked an agreement to jointly build an industrial, commercial complex in Kazakhstan’s Aktau Special Economic Zone.

Tehran’s “Holland Alley” to be made a national heritage

TEHRAN – “Holland Alley” in Tehran, which is mostly populated by Iranian-Armenian citizens, is worth to be inscribed on the national list of cultural heritage, Tehran City Council member Ahmad Masjed-Jamei said on Friday.

Assyrian cylinder seals unearthed in Iran

TEHRAN – A senior Iranian archaeologist has announced discovery of dozens of cylinder seals, which once belonged to Assyria, kingdom of northern Mesopotamia that became the center of one of the great empires of the ancient Middle East.

Tens of Russian guests tour Qazvin historical sites

TEHRAN – Some 70 Russian artists, literati and diplomats on Monday toured historical sites in Qazvin as part of programs in line with holding Russia's cultural week in Iran.

Iran to host Russian Cultural Days

TEHRAN – The Iranian cities of Tehran and Qazvin will be playing host to the Russian Cultural Days, which will open on November 9.

Remnants of Safavid-era bathhouse discovered

TEHRAN – Archaeologists have discovered remnants of a Safavid-era (1501–1736) public bathhouse within a former royal ensemble in the Iranian city of Qazvin.

Returned Achaemenid tablets to go on show in Qazvin

TEHRAN – A select of 1,783 Achaemenid-era clay tablets and fragments, which were on loan from Iran to the Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago since 1935, will be put on show in the city of Qazvin.

Lake Ovan: A charming destination for eco-tourists

TEHRAN – Lake Ovan, locally called Daryacheh-ye Ovan, is a small alpine resort situated in Alamut region, Qazvin province.