Hamedan Provincee

Hamadan or Hamedan ( Persian: همدان , Kurdish: Ekbatan) is the capital city of Hamadan Province of Iran. It had an estimated population of 550,284 in 2005.
Hamadan is believed to be amongst the oldest Iranian cities and one of the oldest in the world.
Hamadan is a green mountainous area on the foothills of the 3574-meter Alwand Mountain,in the mid west of Iran. The city is 1850 meters above sea level.
The special nature of this old city and its historic sites attract tourists during the summer to this city, located approximately 400km southwest of Tehran.

History

Hamadan has a distinguished place among all historical cities of Iran and geographically located at 34°51′N 48°31′E.Some historians believe that Hamadan's construction dates back to 3000 BC and according to an inscription from the first Assyrian king , it is attributed to 1100 BC.
Hamadan was established by the Medes, old Kurdish ancestors, and was the capital of the Median empire. It then became one of several capital cities of the Achaemenid Dynasty and it has been referred to by a variety of names throughout its long history, including Ecbatana or Ekbetan (Median), Ecbatana (classical Greek rendition of Hagmatana) and several corruptions or mispronunciations of the previous two in subsequent centuries.
During the Parthian era, Ctesiphon was the capital of the country, and Hamadan the summer capital and residence of the Parthian rulers. After the Parthians, the Sassanids constructed their summer palaces in Hamadan. In the year 633 the war of Nahavand took place and Hamadan fell into the hands of the Muslim Arabs. At times it thrived and at times it witnessed poverty.
During the Buwayhids , the city suffered much damage. In the 11th century, the Seljuks shifted their capital from Baghdad to Hamadan.
The city of Hamadan, its fortunes following the rise and fall of regional powers, was completely destroyed during the Timurid invasion. During the Safavid era the city thrived. Thereafter, in the 18th century, Hamadan was surrendered to the Ottomans, but due to the courage and chivalry of Nader Shah Afshar, Hamadan was cleared of invaders and, as a result of a peace treaty between Iran and the Ottomans, it was returned to Iran. Hamadan stands on the Silk Road, and even in recent centuries the city enjoyed strong commerce and trade as a result of its location on the main road network in the western region of Persia and Iran.

Climate

Hamadan province lies in a temperate mountainous region to the east of Zagros. The vast plains of the north and northeast of the province are influenced by strong winds, that almost last throughout the year. The various air currents of this region are: the north and north west winds of the spring and winter seasons, which are usually humid and bring about rainfall. The west-east air currents that blow in the autumn, and the local winds that develop due to difference in air-pressure between the elevated areas and the plains, like the blind wind of the Asad Abad region. Hamadan being in the vicinity of the Alvand mountains has a cold, mountainous climate, with snowy winters. In fact it is one of the coldest cities in Iran. The temperature may drop below -30 °C on the coldest days. Heavy snowfalls are common during winter. Summer is short , and the weather is mild and pleasant and mostly sunny.

Culture

Hamadan is also home to many poets and cultural celebrities. The city is also said to be among the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities.
Handicrafts: Hamadan has always been well-known for handicrafts like leather and ceramic work as well as for its beautiful carpets.
Iran's Cultural Heritage Organization lists 207 sites of historical and cultural significance in the city of Hamedan alone.
Legend has it that the biblical Esther is buried in Hamedan.
The scientist and writer known in the west as Avicenna (Abu Ali Sina) is buried in Hamedan.
The 11th century Persian poet Baba Taher is also interred in Hamedan.
It is the birthplace of Badi` al-Zaman al-Hamadhani, author of the Maqamat.

Hamadan Attractions:

HAMADAN

Hamadan -The land of great heroes and scientists -is the capital of the province at the foot of mount Alvand. It is located in an altitude of 1829 m above the sea level and 400 km on the southwest of Tehran. It was the residence of Achaemenian kings, and the summer resort of the Parthian and Sassanian dynasties. And it is the city of the world famous Iranian scientist, philosopher, and physician, Avicena.

Dome of Alavian

Inside this Dervish Monastery dates back to Seljuk period is decorated by the same type of gypsum moldings of Heydarieh mosque of Qazvin. The most noteworthy monument in Hamadan, the dome may at one time have been intended as a mosque. The shrine is notable for the outstanding quality of its stucco ornamentation, with whirling floral motifs on the exterior walls and intricate geometric designs on its Mihrab. Alavi family ruled Hamadan for two centuries.

Hegmatana Hills

Placed at the entrance of the town it is one of the most valuable historical attractions in Iran. On Hegmatana hills, the ruins of the walls and ramparts of the Median and Achaemenian periods are visible. At all events they have been the important military centers in the Sassanid period. Some earthen works such as golden plaques, golden cups, daggars, and a stone relief of the winged lion have been explored in this place.

The Mausoleum of Avicena

The mausoleum of Avicena, the famous Iranian scientist, philosopher and physician (370-428 Lunar Calendar) is located in Hamadan in a square with the same name. The Mausoleum of Avicena was constructed from 1947 to1952 A.D., along with a library where approximately 8000 volumes of books and a small museum devoted to him are kept. The design of the structure is identical to Gonbad-e Qabus with some changes. It was repaired several times in different periods.

Ganjnameh

Hamadan's oldest Achaemenian stone engravings a memorial of Xerxes and Darius the Great, which reads in one of them "The great God, Ahora Mazda, greatest of all the gods, who created this earth and the sky and the people to be happy, who made Darius the king". The epigraphs are on the rocks of Alvand mount 5 km west of Hamadan. Each epigraph is composed of three columns and twenty lines in the ancient Parsi, Babilon and Elamite writing style. It seems they had had covers once to protect them from water and wind which are now removed for some reasons. Next to this nice epigraph, there is a pleasant waterfall.

Mausoleum of Baba Taher

Baba Taher was one of the greatest poets and philosophers of his time even now. He is one of the most famous Iranian poets specialized in couplets. Besides couplets he also composed many other type of poetries. Mystic poet contemporary of Avicenna died in 1019 A.D. and his mausoleum was reconstructed in 1970 and located on a hill on north-west of Hamadan. The magnificent flowers and winding paths that surround it are so beautiful

Mausoleum of Esther and Mardokhi

This mausoleum belongs to Esther the queen of Susa and the lady of Iranian king, Xerxes, and Mardocai the uncle of the queen. Built by stone and brick in Islamic style it is located in the center of Hamadan. The height of its stoney door on the east side is so short that one should bend and pass through it. It is considered as the most important Jewish pilgrimage site in Iran and used to be pilgrimaged by Jewish from all over the world.