Zanjan Province in Iran
About Zanjan Province
The province of Zanjan covers an area of around 39,370 sq. km. To the east of this province is the Hamadan province, to the west is the West Azarbaijan province and to the south is the province of Kurdestan. Besides, to the north of the province are the Ardabil provinces and East Azarbaijan. Zanjan province is located in the plateau northwest of central Iran. The townships of Zanjan, Abhar, Ijrud, Khoda Bandeh, Khoram Dareh, Tarom, and Mah Neshan are the constituents of this province.
Zanjan province comprises of two regions-plain and mountainous. The former spanning various areas of the province, and the latter is the northern sector, enveloping many high peaks or summits. In the southern territory of Zanjan, there is an alluvial plain, to the north of this vast plain are the Soltanieh heights and to the south of which stand the Qeydar heights. These form the limits of the said plain. Many rivers are flowing in this province and the most important of which being the Qezel Ozan River.
Its capital is Zanjan City. In the region, Zanjan is famous for its seedless grapes. Manufactures include bricks, cement, milled rice, and carpets. Chromium, lead, and copper is mined. Zanjan is well known for its beautiful handcrafts such as knives, traditional sandals called Charugh and Malileh. Malileh is a handcraft made with silver wires. The artists of Zanjan make many things like decorative dishes and their special covers as well as silver jewelry. In ancient times, Zanjan was known for its stainless and sharp knives. But this tradition is gradually becoming extinct by the introduction of Chinese knives to the market which is cheaper and better made. Many villagers today are traditional carpet weavers. This is perhaps Zanjan’s most popular handcraft.
The Land of Salt Mummies
As mentioned above Zanjan Province is located in the northwest of Iran and is divided into mountainous and plain parts. The objects found in Cave Galijik suggest that the civilization of this province dates back to the Stone Age nearly 7000 years B.C. Geographical conditions, plenty of water, and fertile soil have made the province suitable for farming and husbandry. Most villages are of ancient origin and have interesting locations. Zanjan villages lie in plains, valleys, and foothills of the mountains and would catch the attention of any newcomer. The people of this land come from various ethnicities. Most people speak the Azari language. it is important to mention again that major handicrafts of the province include Charugh (A kind of local sandal) making, copper smiting, knife making, rug weaving, etc.
Soltaniyeh Dome
To the southwest of Kohan Dej, lies Soltaniyeh Dome, one of the structures of the Islamic era. This structure was built by the order of Sultan Mohammad Khuda Bandeh (Oljeitu) in nine years in 12th century A.D. Oljeitu and Ghazan Khan of the Il-Khan dynasty modeled this building after similar tombs in Iran. It is the third-largest brick structure in the world and the first largest one in Iran. It contains eight verandas and 50 rooms with a height of 50 meters.
Mausoleum of Chalabi Oghli
Just 500 meters to the southwest of Soltanieh Dome lies the tomb of Chalabi Oghli which was built in 12th-century CE. The complex contains a tomb and a temple. The location of graves differs from similar tombs as the Sultan is buried in the center and his followers are buried around it according to their hierarchical positions.
Zanjan Congregational Mosque
Alternatively called Seyyed Mosque, the structure is located in one of the old districts of the city. The mosque was built in the 18th century and includes 4 verandas.
Rakhtshur Khaneh Structure
Rakhtshur Khaneh meaning washhouse has been built in the center of the city in an area known as bara Jamal Choghuri. The structure was established 150 years ago by two masons Mashhadi Akbar and Mashahdi Esmaeil. The stones of the structure were carried from a stone mine in the village of Ajdarhatu. The structure includes two parts. The first part was the managerial and the second was the washhouse itself.
Sojas Village
The village is located near the town of Khoda Bandeh, 17 km from the town of Gheydar in a plain. The village has a dry, cold climate and is divided into two halves by the Sojas river. The old congregational mosque, the mausoleum of Emamzadeh Ebrahim, and Hosseynieh tomb are among the most visited sites.
Kataleh Khur Cave of Garmab
The cave is located 140 km southwest of Zanjan near the village of Garmab, in the southern foothills of Mount Saghezlu. There are beautiful stalagmites and stalactites in different colors there. The skeleton of a four-feet animal which has changed into a calcite fossil has been found.
Dash Kassan Caves
These caves are located 10 km distance southeast of Soltanieh nearby Vir village. They are rectangular caves with a depth of 400 meters, the widths vary from 50 to 300 meters. Inside the main cave, there are 3 other caves with beautiful carvings of symmetric dragons with a length of 3.5 meters. On both sides, floral designs and Arabesques can be seen. They have been carved by Chinese artists who were brought to this land upon the order of Oljeitu, the Mongolian ruler of the time. Different works of art belonging to the Sassanid and Il-Khan periods have been discovered at the site.
Historical Attractions:
Soltaniyeh dome as one of the large brick shells of the world and one of the masterpieces of Il-Khan period architecture, Dash Kasan Caves, Alamdar and Sa’idabad hills in Abhar, Zolfaghari building, Shemiran, Sansizosity Castle, Golshan and Malek Caravansaries, Gheisariyeh, Haji Dadash, and Mirbaha traditional baths, Rakhtshuy Khaneh historical building, Marbaha Ad-Din, Sardar, and Haj Seyed Mohammad foundations in Zanjan.
Cultural Attractions:
Abhar and Ghorveh Friday-prayer Mosques, Zeid Ul-Kabir, Mohammad, Ebrahim, and Esma’il holy shrines in Abhar City, Sajas Friday-Prayer Mosque, Ghidar Nabi mausoleum in Khoda Bandeh City, Mirza’i, Gholamir, and Seyed Ebrahim holy shrine in Zanjan.
Natural Attraction:
Garmab and Ghar Katleh hot springs in Khoda Bandeh city, Abdak, Arkoin, Angouran, Allah baghi, and Nigjeh springs and Anguran preserved Area in Zanjan.