Guide to The city of Hamedan

The city of Hamadan or Hamedan offers many interesting sites and places to visit. The city itself is the capital of Hamadan province, which lies in 336 km south west of the capital Tehran. Hamadan is known to be the oldest city in Iran and one of the oldest in the world. The city's old name was Hegmataaneh, and in old Greek documents, it was also known as Ekbaataan or Ekbatana. The town used to be a trading point between Mesopotamia and the rest of Iran.

Hamadan is located on the slopes of the beautiful Mount Alvand at 1800 m above sea level. The main square, named Imam Khomeini, is shaped like a star and stretches out to beautiful old homes, via old tree-lined avenues. Although the city has been through many renovations, since it was last called Ekbatana, one can still enjoy the old city feel in the smaller and more remote parts of the city where old homes and neighborhoods have remained as they were. Home to some famous Iranians, Hamadan prides itself on having the tombs of Abusina (Avicenna) and Baba Taher, among others. Hamedan rugs are world famous and among the most beautiful in the collection of ancient Persian rug designs.

Things to See

1. Abusina Tomb and Mausoleum Tower - This great monument was dedicated to the well-known Philosopher, Physician, Mathematician and Scientist named Abusina. Abusina, also known as Ibn Sina, died in Hamadan in June of the year 1037, at which time Hamadan was a great metropolitan city. The structure was dedicated to him and built only in 1954. It is located in the Abusina Square and surrounded by beautiful trees and shrubs. The grave lies in the center of the 12 columns of the tower. In addition, the tomb Sheik Abu Saeid Dakhdook, Avicenna`s friend and host, lies next to him. Both graves are covered with inscribed flat marble.

Inspired by the the shape of Qabous Voshmgir Tower, this place of rest, offers visitors a museum and library with manuscripts and writings of the late Philosopher. Also, the Avicenna museum showcases ancient artifacts, bronze statues, and beautiful carpets mostly belonging to the Sassanid Era. A statue of Abusina is erected in the park. There is an open courtyard where Abolqassem Aref, the late Qajar period poet and song writer, also shares a tomb with this famous Iranian. The entrance to the memorial site and the tower is shown on the right.

2. Ghar-e Hamedan - Known as the "Hamadan Cave", this natural structure is also called the Alisadr cave. Made mostly from limestone, this strange network of caves is filled with clear water. Parts of the cave boast ceilings as high as 10 m, with a mirad of lakes connecting different sections to each other. Due to the mountainous location of the city of Hamadan, the formation of this astonishing natural wonder is expectedl. Lake waters run several meters deep, while the cave walls are covered in natural minerals and rocks such as stalactites and stalagmites. Today, Alisadr is now a regular tourist attraction, catering to hundreds of tourists every day. Regular guided tours are conducted via small boats all around the cave including visitor facilities. If you find yourself in Hamadan, take the time to visit this natural marvel.

3. The Ganj Nameh Inscriptions - Inscribed on a high Alvand mountain side in the valley of Abbas Abaad, the Ganj Nameh Epigraphs date as far back as the Achaemenid Empire. It is said that the two kings Darius the first and Xerxes have described their conquests in these rocks, implorting Ahuramazda for strength and help. Legend has it that later generations, who could not read the cuneiform alphabets of the ancient Persians, thought that the inscription was a guide to the uncovered treasury of the old empire. This is where the name Ganj (treasure) comes from.

In fact the translations of the plates describe greetings to the lord Ahuramazda, of the ancient Zoroastrians. The right plate, attributed to Xerxes the Great, has the following inscriptions on it:The mighty lord is Ahuramazda, the god of gods, who created this land, the sky and the people, the same god who brought people happiness, who appointed Xerxes as king, the unique king of kings, the unique ruler of the rulers, I am Xerxes, the great king, king of kings, king of multinational countries, king of this large land, the son of Darius the Achaemenid. This text is also seen at the main gates of Persepolis, the ancient capital of the Persian empires.

The left epighraph is that of Darius the first, the father of Xerxes. The text contains the same sentences, replacing the name of the kings, and signifying Xerxes allegiance to the Zoroastrian beliefs.

4. The Tombs of Queen Esther and Mordecai - It is said that Esther was made Queen by King Xerxes (Khashayaar) and holds a special place in history as a benevolent and gracious ruler. Her uncle Mordecai, who adopted her, told her to keep her Jewish faith from the King. King Xerxes, who was taken by her, married Esther and approved of her. He made Mordecai ruler of Haman and a Jewish colony was established.

Esther and Mordecai are both in the Old Testament and the tomb has become a visiting point for people from all over the world. Dating back to the 7th century, the monument is made from stone and brick. It consists of an small entrance, a vestibule, a sanctuary and a Shah Neshin (King's sitting place). On display are antique wooden boxes, old manuscripts from the Old Testament, and Hebrew wall inscriptions. Though the architecture is very simple, this memorial site is significant to the Jewish heritage.

5. Holy Shrines and Mosques - Hamedan offers a variety of shrines to be visited as well. There are a numerb of mosques and mausoleums including Emam Zadeh Esmaeil, Emam Zadeh Abdollah, Khanegah, the Alavid Dome, the Qorban Tower and the Jami Mosque. There is also the Alaviyan Dome (right), known to be the most precise and representative example of Seljugh (Seljuk) art. Belonging to the Alaviyan family, this dome is similar to the Red Dome of Maragheh, a city in east Azarbayjan. There are two tombs inside the structure. The exterior of the Alaviyan tomb is covered by the ever-present turquoise tile and beautiful mosaic work, seen so often in old Persian architecture.

Other noteworthy sites in Hamedan

1. The Stone Lion - This rare relic, depicting a lion en guard, is believed to have protected the city gate in Median and Parthian times. It is located to the east of Hamadan on a hill which is said to have housed a castle going back to the Sassanian age. The lion stands 2 m long, 1.15 m wide and 1.20 m high.

2. The Temple of Water Goddess Anahita at Kangavar - Kangavar is one of the oldest towns and is situated beween Hamedan and Kermanshah. In about 200 B.C., when the Seleucid Greek occupied parts of Kangavar in Persia, a sanctuary was built to the water goddess Anahita. The temple offers a grande entrance, reminiscent of Apadana in Persepolis. The structure was biult from giant pieces and considered on of the oldest temples.

3. Tagh-e Bostan - It is said that the Sassanid Kings chose this beautiful setting for carving their reliefs and prayers to the Zoroastrian gods. This site is known today as Tagh-eBostan and offers a beautiful fresh water spring gushing from a high mountain cliff into a large and serene reflecting pool.

4. Baba Tahir Oryan Mausoleum - Baba Taher (Tahir) was famous as a prominent mystic. He waas born in Hamedan, in the early eleventh century. This modern mausoleum which was erected in his honor in Hamedan has an octagonal structure. Baba Taher's tomb is located in the center of the structure, covered with a wooden Zarih or mesh-like railing. The mausoleum is situated near the northern entrance of the city from Tehran Highway and at the end of Baba Taher Street in a square named Baba Taher.

5. Memorial to Seyed Jamal-e 'Din - Seyed Jamal-e 'Din was known to be a great man, helping his commmunity with social reform, and modern thinker. He was borin in 1254 in Asad Abad. He was poisoned to death in Turkey in 1314. His memorial stands at his residence in Asad Abad