The Evergreen Land of Gilan
To the south of the Caspian Sea, lies the wonderful green province of Gilan. the people of Gilan are among the oldest, most cheerful, and noblest groups of Iranian people, who have preserved their beliefs and traditions to this day. to Iranians, Gilan is associated with images of the rice fields, tea farms, and enchanting forests. the people of Gilan speak the Gilaki dialect. their local music is to a large extent influenced by their surrounding environment and farming activities.
Rudkhan Castle
Also known as Hesami Ghaleh, the castle dates back to the Sassanid era. It is located 12 kilometers south of the town of Fuman in the heart of a dense mountainous forest. with an area of 50 thousand square meters, this is the largest and most magnificent castle in Gilan. It consists of two parts: a citadel and home of the royal family.
Marlik Hill
This hill is located in the Rahmat Abad region of Rudbar and was first excavated by Iranian archeologist dr. Ezatollah Negahban. Some 53 tombs, many clay dishes, and gold objects belonging to 2000-1000 BC were discovered on this hill.
Kolah Farangi Building
This structure is located in the middle of Mohtasham garden which is now the public city park. this beautiful multi-sided building is three stories high and is made of bricks, plaster, wood, and clay.
Sheikh Zahed Gilani Tomb
This tomb is located in Sheikh nur village, three kilometers east of the city of Lahijan in tea farms. Sheikh Zahed was one of the most famous mystics of the 12th century CE. The beauty of this tomb lies in its pyramid-like octagonal dome which is decorated with many yellow, blue, white, and black geometric floral designs.
Masuleh Village
This village which is one of the most visited traditional and natural sites of Gilan is located 65 kilometers southwest of Rasht city. The importance of this village lies in its unique architecture: the roof of a house is the yard of the house above and also the pavement in the village.
Agh Olar Palace
The palace of Sardar Amjad, also known as Agh Olar (lit. white Palace) is located on the foothills of the Talesh Mountains. one of the most beautiful summer resorts (Yeylagh) of the Gilan Province. The structures date back to the time of the Mozaffar Ad-din shah of the Qajar dynasty. During the upheavals of the constitutional Revolutions, local people, angered by the tyranny of Agh Olar’s owner who was a feud, set the palace on fire. Iran’s Cultural Heritage Organization has launched the project of repairing this historical building.
Mosaic Building
This building is located on the Park Boulevard of Anzali city and was built by a Greek architect in 1933. It looks like the Hafez tomb in Shiraz. It has 8 round columns and an orange dome.
Gilan Wrestling
Gilemardi wrestling reflects the bravery of the people in this region. This kind of wrestling is usually held during summers, special occasions, or feasts in a place called Sabzemeydan.
Caspian Sea Beaches
As this province is located south of the Caspian Sea, it has a lot of attractive sandy beaches bordering the forests. They are perfect places for swimming, boat-riding, and other water sports and activities.
Anzali Lagoon
This lagoon is a habitat for local and migrating birds. It is one of the most beautiful sceneries in this province. The sceneries consist of small islands, cane fields, and morning glory flowers.
Gilan Forests
These forests which are beautiful natural sceneries lie on the foothills of the Alborz Mountains. These forests are characterized by the great variety of their green life. All forests in Gilan are covered with lawn. the forests of Saravan, Talesh, Deilaman, and Lahijan are among the most beautiful ones.
Tea Farms
Heavy rainfalls and high humidity in this province have caused many people to be involved in the planting of tea, especially on hills and foothills of the mountains. Gīlān province is the largest producer of tea in Iran.
Rice Fields
Rice is the most important farm product of this province. This is due to favorable climate conditions and the fertile soil which have made Gilan the largest producer of rice in Iran.
Wood Handicrafts
They include bowls, plates, spoons, forks, and other dishes which are sold inside and outside of Gīlan. other artistic Woodworks include walking sticks, cradles, bird and animal statues, wood carvings, and special boxes called Bolaki.
Gilani Dress
There are various climate conditions in this province, and so women’s clothing differs from place to place. In mountainous regions, they wear long clothing as protection against cold weather. In forests and areas near the seaside and beaches, they wear shorter clothing and vest, but they are all colorful, happy clothing.
Fishing in Gilan
The Caspian Sea plays an important role in the economic activities of the people in Gilan. Fishing and fishing industries are crucial economic resources for the people in this province.
Straw Mat Weaving
Weaving straw mat is another common handicraft of Gilan. the products are mostly hats, baskets, table cloth, and blinds.
Sefid-Rud Dam
This is one of the earliest and largest dams built in Iran and is the only water reservoir of Gilan it holds and reserves water of Sefid Rud river.
Historical Attractions:
Mojaver Lamir Palace in Astara, Mian Poshteh Palace, Ghazian and Mian Poshteh bridges, Borj-e Sa’at, and the ancient building of the customhouse in Bandar Anzali, Mausoleum of Mirza Kuchak Khan, Shahpur school, Ancient buildings of Haj Mirza, Ahmad Abrishami, Sardar Mo’tamed Rashti, Sassan Castle, Morghaneh Pard bridge in Rasht, Kasgar spire, Kasma earthen bridge in some Sara and Nasrollah khan building in Talesh, Reza shah Palace, Ghaleh Bandin, Timjan brick bridge, and Meydan Shahr ancient complex in Rudsar, Ancient houses of Monajjem Bashi, Daryabeygi, Ra’is Zadeh, and Mohebbi in Langarud.
Cultural Attractions:
Followings are the most important cultural attractions of Gilan Province: Ebrahim and Ghasem holy shrines in Astara, Emamzadeh Saleh in Bandar Anzali, Agha Seyed Abbas and Seyed Esma’il Mausoleums, agha Seyed Hashem and Bibi Huriyeh in Rasht, Tayeb, Taher, and Pir Musa holy shrines in Rudbar, Agha Seyed Ahmad, Agha Seyed Heydar, and Agha Seyed Abdollah Mausoleums in Some’ Sara, Sefid Masjed (white mosque) in Talesh, Es’hagh holy shrine in Fuman, Friday-Prayer and Akbariyeh Mosques in Lahijan
Natural Attractions:
Bandar Anzali lagoon, Saline Water spring of Lakan, Cheshmagol Seshanbeh in Rasht, Mineral Water springs in Sangrud, and Matkhor hot springs in Rudbar, Sejiran Mineral Water spring, Zam Zameh, and Ali Zakhuni Mineral Water springs in Fuman, and Amirklayeh lagoon in Lahijan.