Historical Takyeh restored in Semnan province

TEHRAN - The restoration work on a historical Takyeh in Iran’s Semnan province has been completed, officials announced.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Muharram rituals: thousands of pilgrims walk to Imam Reza shrine

TEHRAN – Around 7,000 pilgrims traveled on foot to the northeastern Iranian city of Mashhad to commemorate Tasu’a and Ashura, two of the most significant days in the Islamic calendar, at the holy shrine of Imam Reza (AS), the eighth Shia Imam.

Police recover 21 Ilkhanid-era coins in northern Iran

TEHRAN — Iranian police have recovered 21 ancient coins believed to date back to the Ilkhanid era during a vehicle search near the city of Faruj in North Khorasan province, northeastern Iran.

Poet Heydar Yaghma’s tomb restored

TEHRAN - The tomb of contemporary Persian poet Heydar Yaghma (1924–1984) has recently undergone a restoration project, according to the head of Neyshabur’s office for cultural heritage.

Most world heritage sites at risk from drought or flooding: UNESCO

TEHRAN – Nearly three-quarters of the world’s cultural and natural heritage sites are under threat due to either drought or flooding, according to a report released Tuesday by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

Qazvin’s threefold strategy for tourism highlighted during ministerial visit

TEHRAN - The Governor-General of Qazvin province, Mohammad Nozari, has emphasized a comprehensive three-pronged approach to advancing tourism in the province, encompassing short-, medium-, and long-term strategies.

Iran seeks investors to revive 41 heritage sites in 16 provinces

TEHRAN – Iran’s revitalization fund for historical and cultural places has announced the launch of a major public auction aimed at attracting investors to restore, preserve, and make productive use of 41 historical sites located in 16 provinces across the country.

Mashhad airport resumes flights to 12 intl. destinations amid post-conflict recovery

TEHRAN - Mashhad’s Shahid Hasheminejad International Airport has resumed flight operations to 12 international and 3 domestic destinations, as the region emerges from a tense 12-day conflict between Iran and the Zionist regime of Israel.

Alamut Castle nears UNESCO World Heritage status, tourism minister says

TEHRAN - Iran's Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts announced on Tuesday that the historic Alamut Castle is on the verge of possibly being inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

Virtual tours now available for Niavaran Cultural-Historical Complex

TEHRAN - In response to the current closure of historical sites in Iran, the Niavaran Cultural-Historical Complex has launched a free 360-degree virtual tour, allowing users to explore the historic palace and its museums from anywhere in the world.

Cool escapes from Tehran's summer heat: destinations to visit

TEHRAN - As the summer sun blazes over Tehran, many residents and visitors alike search for refreshing retreats to escape the heat.

Turkish Airlines to resume flights to Iran on June 30

TEHRAN – Türkiye’s flag carrier, Turkish Airlines, will resume flights to Iran on Monday, June 30, after a temporary suspension prompted by regional conflict and security concerns.

By Seyed Hossein Hosseiniseddiq

The story of Sassanid king and blacksmith’s beautiful sword

Ages ago, a blacksmith presented a very beautiful sword to the Sassanid king Shahpour.

Funding allocated to equip private museums in Sistan-Baluchestan

TEHRAN - Authorities in Sistan-Baluchestan have announced the allocation of dedicated funding to equip private museums in the southeastern province of Iran.

Imam Mosque’s massive dome undergoes restoration

TEHRAN - A new restoration initiative has begun to address possible deterioration in the intricate tilework adorning the grand dome of the 17th-century Imam Mosque of Isfahan, also known as Masjed Jameh Abbasi.

Taleqan dam lake: a gem of tranquility and adventure in Alborz Mountains

TEHRAN – Situated in the heart of the southern foothills of the Alborz Mountains in Alborz province, Taleqan dam lake is one of the most beautiful and underrated tourist attractions in the region.

NGOs urge UNESCO to act against Israeli attacks threatening Iran’s cultural heritage

TEHRAN - A coalition of 51 Iranian non-governmental organizations dedicated to cultural heritage and tourism has sent a formal letter to UNESCO’s Director-General Audrey Azoulay, condemning Israeli airstrikes on Iran and warning of their severe threat to the country’s invaluable cultural and historical sites.