Semnan tourism department to revamp surroundings of Shah Abbasi caravanserai

TEHRAN – Semnan’s cultural heritage, tourism and handicrafts department has begun plans to reorganize the area surrounding the centuries-old Shah Abbasi caravanserai which is located in the north-central Iranian province.

Northwest Iran popular destination for Turkish tourists, consul general says

TEHRAN - Turkey’s consul general in Iran’s northwestern city of Urmia has said that tourist attractions in West Azarbaijan province, including UNESCO-listed sites, are popular among Turkish visitors and called for a direct flight between Ankara and Urmia.

Iran tourism has potential to rebound quickly, guides’ head says

TEHRAN – Iran’s tourism industry has the capacity to recover quickly if security, stability and policy coordination are strengthened, the head of the Iranian Tourist Guides Association said on Thursday.

New excavation starts at Sassanian Ardeshir Palace

TEHRAN – Iranian archaeologists have launched a new season of archaeological research and excavation at the Sassanian-era Ardeshir Palace in Firuzabad, southern Fars province.

Work on Xerxes I tomb at Naqsh-e Rostam nears completion

TEHRAN – Restoration work on the rock-cut tomb of Achaemenid king Xerxes I is nearing completion after years of conservation efforts, a local official has said.

Restoration of Russian fortress on Ashuradeh Island begins

TEHRAN--In line with development of tourism infrastructure and attracting national and foreign capital, the restoration of historical Russian fortress on Ashuradeh Island, in the Miankaleh peninsula, west of Bandar Torkaman in northern Iran, has begun, so that the area can be introduced as one of the tourist attraction hubs in northern Iran.

Ancient Sadeh festival can reinforce social cohesion and unity, governor-general says

TEHRAN – Kerman’s governor-general Mohammad-Ali Talebi said on Wednesday that the ancient Sadeh festival is a national ritual belonging to all Iranians and can contribute to social cohesion and unity.

Lawmaker criticizes neglect of Khuzestan’s ‘golden triangle’ of tourism

TEHRAN - A senior Iranian lawmaker on Thursday criticized what he called the neglect of Khuzestan province’s key tourism assets, saying inadequate funding has prevented development of the historical cities of Dezful, Susa and Shushtar.

Urgent repairs ordered after water leak damages Isfahan’s UNESCO-listed mosque

TEHRAN – Cultural heritage authorities have launched emergency measures to contain water leakage and ground subsidence at the UNESCO-listed Jameh Mosque of Isfahan after moisture and cracks were detected near its centuries-old Nezam al-Molk dome.

Siraf historic port dossier submitted to UNESCO for World Heritage review

TEHRAN - Iran has formally submitted the nomination dossier for the historic port of Siraf to UNESCO for review and possible inscription on the World Heritage list, the deputy minister for cultural heritage said on Wednesday.

Minister of Cultural Heritage, UNESCO official emphasize necessity of joint convergence

TEHRAN—Iran’s Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Reza Salehi-Amiri and Secretary-General of Iran’s National Commission for UNESCO Hassan Fartousi emphasized the necessity of joint convergence and efforts to strengthen the position of the country's cultural and civilizational heritage in the regional and international arena.

Heritage sites in Fars province to be monitored by drones

TEHRAN – Fars’ cultural heritage department is set to use drones and electronic monitoring systems to oversee nationally and globally registered heritage sites scattered across the southern Iranian province.

55 hectares of Semnan's historical texture nationally registered

TEHRAN--Two historical neighborhoods of Esfanjan and Nasar to the extent of 55 hectares in historical texture of Semnan province were registered in Iran’s National Heritage List.

Technology, public participation key to protecting historical sites, researcher explains

TEHRAN – Technology can play an effective role in the preservation of historical monuments through documentation, conservation and restoration, Iranian historical heritage researcher Hossein Alizadeh said in an interview published on Sunday.

Karaftoo cave requires special measures for potential UNESCO nomination, governor says

TEHRAN - Karaftoo cave in Kordestan province requires targeted measures to support a potential nomination for UNESCO World Heritage status, the governor of Divan-Darreh said on Tuesday.

Nomadic women's handicrafts on path of electronic market

TEHRAN--National Post Company of the Islamic Republic of Iran is helping to market and sell products produced by nomadic women by creating electronic pages.

In Dezful, bricks speak of an ancient past

TEHRAN--In the heart of Khuzestan province, stands the city of Dezful, whose history is told through bricks; from 2,000-year-old Sassanid bridge to the revived Shavadan (an underground space in the dept of 5-12 meters).

Bazaar of Arak, an entrant for possible UNESCO listing, undergoes restoration

TEHRAN – Bazaar of Arak, which boasts typical features of traditional Iranian marketplaces, has undergone restoration amid hopes for a possible inclusion in UNESCO’s World Heritage list.

Deputy minister hails UNESCO listing for Persian mirror 

TEHRAN – Maryam Jalali-Dehkordi, the deputy minister for handicrafts, has hailed the recent UNESCO listing for Ayeneh-Kari, the art of mirror-work in Persian architecture, saying the registration testifies grandeur of Iranian arts and architecture. 

Kerman, a cultural melting pot and home to UNESCO sites

TEHRAN – Home to several UNESCO World Heritage sites such as Persian gardens, serene deserts, eye-catching mansions, and labyrinthine bazaars, Kerman is something of a cultural melting pot, blending various regional cultures over time. 

Isfahan holds ceremony marking UNESCO listing of mirror-work art

TEHRAN - A ceremony was held in Isfahan on Tuesday to mark the inscription of Ayeneh-Kari, the Iranian art of architectural mirror work, on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Extension of Isfahan subway project awaits UNESCO approval

TEHRAN—The extension of Isfahan’s Metro Line 2 near the city’s UNESCO-listed Jameh Mosque, also known as the Atiq Mosque, is under review at national and international levels and will proceed only after approval from UNESCO, officials said.

Prehistoric discoveries at Falak-ol-Aflak castle strengthen UNESCO bid

KHORRAMABAD – A major archaeological campaign at the historic mound of Falak-ol-Aflak castle has uncovered important evidence that rewrites the site's history, significantly strengthening Iran's proposal for its expansion on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

By Afshin Majlesi

Shushtar residents call for UNESCO listing of historical urban fabric

SHUSHTAR (Khuzestan province) - Residents of the historic city of Shushtar in Iran’s southwestern Khuzestan province have launched a public campaign calling for the inscription of the city’s historical urban fabric on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, citing its cultural, architectural and living heritage value.