Khorramabad
Khorramabad could be dated to the pre-Median period. When the Medes entered the district, they influenced the various tribes that lived there and spread their language among them.
Khorramabad is the largest city of the ethnic tribe of Lurs in Iran and it is the capital of Lorestan province and is located in the valleys of the Zagros.
The vast majority of them are Lurs. Khorramabad is the largest city in Iran hosting Lurs. In Lori dialect the city is called “KhorMoa”, meaning that this land is prosperous, green, fresh, and will bring you Joy.
Lurs are an Iranian ethnic group living in the west and southwest of Iran. The language of Luri is a close relative of Persian and along with Persian is one of the western categories of Iranian languages.
The characteristics of the Luri language show that the dominance of Iranian languages in the current region of Lorestan in ancient paleontology is more done by the Persian region than by the Median region.
According to legends, the city of “Shapur Khast/Khorramabad” was built on the ruins of one Elamite city.
During the Sassanid era, Khorramabad (or as the Sassanid called it Shapur Khast) was very important and famous buildings were built at that time, which is one of the attractions of this city and Lurestan province today.
In the many caves around this city, many ancient antiquities have been discovered that show the antiquity of this city. Khorramabad has a temperate climate and attracts many tourists in the spring.
The existence of many historical monuments such as the Castle of the Celestial Sphere (the closest translation to Falak ol-Aflak Castel), anthropological museum, brick minaret, Kashkan bridge, Dusheh Cave, Gap bath, etc. shows the antiquity, culture, and civilization of this historical city.
“Jajim” of the Bakhtiari branch of the Lur tribe of Khorramabad is world-known handicraft that is woven from fleece. The Jajim frame for weaving is usually laid horizontally on the ground. Unlike most weaves, in Luri Bakhtiari Jajim, the following fabric is placed and the warp is placed on the work. For this reason, its roles are formed by strings. The most common designs are Hacheh, Shoneh, Goli, Denomushi, and Shirouz. Jajim is used as a rug or chair cover.
There are many waterfalls in Lurestan province. One of these beautiful waterfalls is Bisheh, which is located 35 km from Dorud city in a village of the same name. The length of this waterfall is 48 meters and the width of its crown is about 20 meters.
Bisheh waterfall is located in the heart of Zagros mountains and its water flows into Qeysar (Caesar) river. One way to reach the waterfall is to use the train. If you take the train from Dorud, you can reach the waterfall on a beautiful and amazing route that passes through oak forests and high mountains.
Gahar Lake is a mountain lake that is known as Cameo of Zagros or Cameo of Oshtrankuh. The lake is located on the main Zagros fault and was most likely caused by a large earthquake.
This lake consists of two parts, Gahar Kuchak (Little Gahar) and Gahar Bozorg (Great Gahar). The two lakes are located at a short distance from each other. The water of a river first enters the small house and then flows into the big house.
Lake Keeyow or Sar-ab (not the Persian word for Mirage, it means being beside a body of water) Keeyow is a natural lake located in the northwest of Khorramabad.
The area of this lake is 7 hectares and its depth varies between 3 to 7 meters. Keeyow is how they pronounce Kabud in Lori dialect which means blue.
The reason for this naming is the clear blue water of the lake. In the past, there was a spring called Sar-ab Keeyow in the place of this lake, which later became a natural lake. The water of the lake originates from the springs of the mountain.
Providing recreational facilities around Lake Keeyow has made it a popular resort for the people of Khorramabad. You can go boating in this lake or watch native and migratory birds.
In Khorramabad it is impossible not to see the Brick minaret. In the past, the brick minaret was a place for surveillance and news reporting. When the city was in danger, a public announcement was made through the minaret and the city gates were closed. Another use for this minaret is to help caravans find their way. The minarets were usually built along the road or paths and were shown to people by lighting fires at the top called crowns.
Khorramabad’s signature is the Falak ol-Aflak Castle. It can be considered as a symbol of Khorramabad.
This castle dates back to the Sassanid period. This fort was the government fort of an old city called “Shapur Khast”, which was located near present-day Khorramabad.
After the destruction of Shapur Khast, Khorramabad gradually formed around this fort and began to expand. In different periods, the castle of Falak ol-Aflak had various names such as Shapur Khast, Dozdeh Borji, and Atabkan castle, but its current name was given to it during the Qajar period and has not changed since.
The Archaeological Museum exhibits very old objects and artifacts from different historical periods. Some of these artifacts date back to the millennia BC. In the anthropological museum, you can get acquainted with the customs of the people of Lurestan.
The models in this museum show the way of life and work of the people of this province. Other sections, such as a cultural products sales center and a traditional teahouse, are active in the castle of the celestial sphere.
As being a city for one of the most populated ethnic tribes of Iran, Khorramabad has many traditions. One which may seem a little more unique and that has not been seen in other places is the “Khun-Bas” tradition or ceremony.
Khun-Bas means to end blood. This ceremony is usually performed to forgive the killer by the victim’s family.
In this way, some elders and local elders shrouded the killer and took him to the victim’s house with a copy of the Quran and a knife. They ask the victim’s family to forgive the killer in honor of the Qur’an. If they accept this request, they will express their consent by kissing the Qur’an. Then everyone sends Salawat and the ceremony ends.
This ceremony is a sign of the great secretary and the forgiveness of the people of Lur.