Hamadan (Hamedan) is situated 400 km south
west of Tehran,
190 km east of Kermanshah and 530 km north west of Isfahan at
the elevation of 1800 meters. The province of Hamadan covers an
area of 19,546 sq. km. and is located to the west of Iran. Asad
Abad, Towiserkan, Bahar, Razan, Kabudrahang, Malayer, Nahavand
and Hamadan are the townships of this province. In the year
1996, Hamadan province had a population of approximately 1.7
million, of which about 48.3 % resided in urban areas, and about
51.7% in the rural areas. The province lies in an elevated
region, with the 'Alvand' mountains, running from the north west
to the south west. This mountainous area is to the south west
and east of the Hamadan city. To the east of Hamadan, and east
of the heights of Alvand, that is in between the mountains of 'Alvand'
and 'Gerou' or (Gerin), in the south, are the plains.
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Buali Sina Tomb |
A large central roundabout with six avenues
running into it, this is what a simplified plan of modern
Hamadan looks like. Nothing is left of ancient Ecbatana, the
Medes' capital before they formed a union with the Persians. The
poet Ferdowsi says it was founded by Jamshid, a king who was
maybe somewhat hastily described as legendary. There are not
even a few old stones in any museum, and there is not much to be
said for a misshaped "lion" similar to those which decorated the
tombs of Parthian officers. A more interesting sight for
tourists who may not have seen any before are the Cuneiform
rupestral inscriptions engraved on a cliff at the bottom of a
green valley about 10 kilometers west of the city, the site is
called Ganj_e Nameh.
Today's Hamadan is what is left of Ecbatana,
The Medes' capital before they formed a union with the Persians.
The poet
Ferdowsi says that Ecbatana was build by King Jamshid. The
modern Hamadan consists of a large central roundabout with six
avenues running into it.
While lacking antique vestiges, Hamadan, has
several monuments worthy of interest. They are usually
mausoleums. Their exterior was recently renewed by constructions
inspired by the spindle - shaped structure of Mongol towers, to
the exclusion of all other features of these towers. The best
one covers the Tomb of the famous Ibn Sina called Abu Ali by the
Persians and Avicenna by the Western world.
Hamadan is one of the oldest cities of not
only Iran but of the world. Its historical origins date back to
several centuries before Christ. Hamadan, which was the summer
capital of the Median and Achaemenid was then called Ekbatan or
Hegmataneh; meaning a place of assembly. Hamadan is one of the
cradles of Oriental civilization with legendary background.
According to historical records, there was once a castle in this
city by the name of Haft Hessar (Seven Walls) which had a
thousand rooms and its grandeur equalled that of the Babylon
Tower. All the nations living around Iran coveted the prominent
natural position of Hamadan from the times immemorial until
recent centuries; and have invaded the city several times.
First, the Assyrians destroyed Hamadan. It was ruined again and
again during the invasion of Mongols and Tamerlane. Finally, in
the recent centuries the Ottomans attacked the city several
times; but Hamadan heroically stood against the enemies and
courageously withstood all the losses it had sustained. Hamadan
is the homeland of great scholars and men ot letters like
Elnaighozat, Khajeh Rashidoddin Fazlollah, Adham Hamadani, Baba
Taher Orian and Mirzadeh Eshghi; and the tombs of Avicenna and
Baba Taher are located in this city. Hamadan has preserved its
importance in the post-Islamic period.
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Baba Taher Hamedani Tomb |
According to the latest statistical surveys,
Hamadan province’s population is 1,650,000 of various ethnic
origins with their own special cultures and traditions. Almost
all the population is muslim . In different areas they speak
persian (Farsi), Turkish, Lori, Laki and Kurdish however, all of
them understand and speak persian. The population of Hamadan
privince is distributed in the 6 cities of Hamadan (the capital
of the province),Malayer, Nahavand, Twiserkan, Kabudarahang and
Assadabad as well as their various districts and villages. The
occupation of city dwellers is either administrative or
industrial sevices and in other parts of the province
agriculture constitutes the people’s main business. The capital
city of the province is linked by main roads, to Qazvin, Tehran
, Kermanshah (and the western parts of the country), Malayer,
Borujerd (and the southern areas) and Saveh (and the country’s
central regions). Let’s begin the visit to Hamadan province.
Hamadan province has two protected
environmental sites, oneis in the west by the name of Assadabad
and the other is located east Malayer, named Lashkar. The latter
hosts antelope, ibex, ram, ewe and leopard.In the high plain of
Assadabad lives the area’s famouse ewe bird.Among the other
forms of wildife in this area, there are various types of birds
of prey like Delijeh falcon, hawk, falcon, sparrow hawk and
Balaban falcon as well as various migratory birds like geese,
ducks, partridge and yellow partridge. Antelope and ibex are
abundantly found in the highlands of this province. The latter
has a pair of swordlike horns as long as 140 centimeters with
beard and a dark strap around the lower neck and chest which
adde beauty to this animal. The region’s antelope and ibex
sometimes weigh up to 60 kilograms and live as long as 14 years.
They live in the rough rocky areas where they move quite easily.
Hamadan has always been well known for
handicrafts like leather and ceramic work; as well as for its
beautiful carpeat . The art of carpet weaving is so significant
in Hamadan that the Iranian Carpet Company has established an
office there. The carpets and the rugs of Hamadan are famous for
their quality, beautiful and colors. The are of ceramics is
centered in the village of Lalejin in the vicinity of Hamadan .
There are several ceramic workshops and numerous skilful artist
that create the most beautiful and colourful ceramic jars in
great numbers.Visiting one of these workshops can be one of the
best parts of a tour to hamadan.
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Ali Sadr Cave |
Outside Hamadan one can visit the village of
Lalejin, famous for its pottery industry; or take a boat tour
round the Ali Sadr Caves, an endless network of caves full of
clear water with caverns up to 10 metres high and 100 metres
wide. Also of interest is the Ganj Nameh, Hamadan's oldest
Achaemenian rock carvings dating from the 6th century BC.
Hamadan is one of the cradles of Oriental
Civilization with legendary backgroun. According to historical
records, there was once a castle in this city by the name of
Haft Hessar (seven walls) which had a thousand rooms and its
grandeur equalled of the Babylon Tower.
Close to Hamadan is the valley of Ganj Nameh.
This is a very pleasant valley with a waterfall and a lot of
teahouses. It is very popular with the people from Hamadan.
The oldest rock carvings in Hamadan can be
seen here. The inscriptions belong to Darius and his son Xerxes.
In three languages it is written that Ahura Mazda is a great God
and Darius and Xerxes are great Kings. The translation of the
text, in Farsi and English, can be read near the parking place.
