Lorestan Province in Iran
The Land of Ancient Bronze
Lorestan province is a mountainous land in the west of Iran. The Zagros Mountains stretch from northwest to southeast of the province. The highest crest is Oshtoran Kuh with a height of 4100 meters above sea level. The weather is cold to the north as there are lots of mountains. To the south it is temperate. High altitude and geographical conditions have caused many rivers and springs to flow through the province. The paintings discovered in the caves of Dusheh and Mirmelas caves show that the Kasi tribe had inhabited Lorestan in 1600 BC. The weather conditions have caused nomad life to be developed in this region and many tribes have summer and winter migrations. Common activities among the people are farming and husbandry as there are favorable weather conditions and fertile soil.
Natural features, heights, water resources, and vegetation provide a perfect habitat for plants and animals. In the caves near the Dehlon region, there is a scarce kind of fish with no eyes. Two species of this fish have been found in Asia, one in Mosul, Iraq, and the other in Haft Tang cave near the city of Khorram Abad, Iran. These species of fish do not have any eyes and ears and have got feelers around their mouth instead. The people of this province belong to Lur and Lak tribes and speak in Luri and Laki dialects. The Laks inhabit the city of Kuhdasht and Aleshtar and the Lurs mostly live in the Khorram Abad area. The common handicrafts of the province include coarse blankets, carpets, druggets, and felt weaving as well as metal works. Below are some attractions of this province that we take a glance at.
Falak ol-Aflak Castle
This castle is located on a stone hill in the city of Khorram Abad. In the past, it was known as Shapur Khast castle and in the Qajar era, it was named Falak ol-Aflak. The date and the builder of this castle have not been yet identified, but at the time of Reza Shah Pahlavi, it was used as a prison to keep political opponents. The columns of this castle are erected on a stone foundation. There are 8 towers and a large courtyard. The entrance door is located to the north of this structure. A part of this castle is now changed into a museum.
Kashkan Bridge
This bridge was built on the old road of Tarhan to Shapur Khast on the Kashkan river. It was 300 meters long on 11 columns. Most of the bridge was destroyed and on the remaining parts, tablets in Kufic Arabic script have been discovered which date back to the 9th-century CE.
The Pol Dokhtar Lagoons
There are 12 lagoons around the town of Pol Dokhtar which provide perfect habitats for marine animals, migrating, and local birds.
Kiu Lake
This lake is located next to a park called Kiu. No river flows into this lake, but the springs at the bottom supply the water. This lake which is one of the attractions of this city has an area of 7 hectares with a changing depth from 3 to 7 meters.
Dusheh Cave
This is a historical cave located in the village of Korshurab in the Chegini region of Khorram Abad. The cave has a height of 5 meters and there are 110 paintings on the walls. There are also two stone carvings there, and at the entrance of the cave, the skeletons of humans and animals along with clay dishes have been discovered.
Shevi Fall
It is said that Shevi Fall is the most beautiful waterfall in Iran. It is located around the village of Shevi near the town of Dorud. These falls flow out of a cave down to a deep valley.
Gerdab Sangi Spring
To the northwest of the city of Khorram Abad, there is a famous seasonal spring called Gerdab Sangi. A stone wall encloses it. A three-meter wide bridge was built over it by Sassanid kings.
Sefid Kuh Preserved Region
This is an area preserved by environmental organizations and is a habitat for many kinds of animals and birds.
Shirz Canyon
The Shirz Canyon is a canyon of geotourist importance located 45 kilometers northeast of Kuhdasht, the capital of Kuhdasht County, in the province of Lurestan. The valley is eroded with sedimentary rocks belonging to the third geological Devon. Shirz canyon in Lurestan also has ancient sites of the Stone Age. These sites also include works from the cave life that attracted much attention.
Historical Attractions:
Lorestan has 263 sites of historical and cultural significance according to Iran’s Cultural Heritage Organization. The castle of Maseleh, the ancient hill of Masir Seylan is in Aligudarz, Abanbar (water storage), Do Dangeh, old bazaar, and the house of Soltani in Borujerd. Ancient castles of Majin, Korgon, hills of Tajan, Kozeh Garan, Kal Yazid, bridges of Kalhor and Kro Dokhtar in Pol-e Dokhtar. Castles of Falak ol-Aflak, Rakeh, Zaghe, Dusheh, Gomro, Mangare, Manijeh, Sar Ghala, Razeh, Bahram, Nasir, Cheshmak, Shapouri bridge, ancient hills of Kargoneh, Tanurban, Sarab Nav-Kesh, Reki, Chaghabul, Zagheh, the old bazaar of Mirza Seyed Reza, old mills of Baba Abass, Divar-e Sangi, old tower in Khorram Abad. Ancient hills of Delfun, Pol-e Kaka Reza, in Selseleh, castles of Koh Zad, Zolal Angiz, Chegh, Changary, bridges of Keshkarud, Kro Dokhtar, Sassani, Gavmishan, Cham Namsht, hills of Chagha Sabz, Kaftarlu, Darakeh, Dome (Gonbad) of Ali Gij, and Kuh Dasht bridge in Kuh Dasht are the most famous historical attractions in Lorestan province.
Religious Attractions:
The holy shrine of Emamzadeh Ghasem in Azna. The Jame’ mosque, and Soltani, holy shrines of Emamzadeh Ja’far (Il-Khan era.), Villian, and do Khahar are in Borujerd. Mausoleums of Prince Muhammad, Mehdi, Saleh, are in Pol-e Dokhtar. The resting place of Prince Abdollah and Do Baradar is in Khorram Abad.
Natural Attractions:
Ab Sefid Fall is in Aligudarz. Natural Wildlife habitat Oshtoran Kuh Mountain, beautiful pond of Borujerd, beautiful pond of Pol-e Dokhtar, Kiyu lake, waterfalls of Tafa, Afarineh, springs of Gerdab Sangi and Ab Zibay-e Golestan in Khorram Abad. Lake Gahar, Bisheh Water fall, and Taleh Zang in Dorud. Caves of Hamyan, Yekodo, Viznahar Dush-e Botkhaneh, Mirmalas in Kuhdasht.