May 10 2012
Iran Provinces, Hamadan Province – استان همدان
Hamedan Province (استان همدان) covers an area of 19,546 km² and lies in an elevated region, with the Alvand mountains, part of the Zagros mountain range of Iran. Hamedan city is the capital of the province. Hamedan almost has warm temperate in summers and relatively cold winters.
Hamedan province is one of the most ancient parts of Iran and its civilization. Relics of this area confirm this fact. Today’s Hamedan is what is left of Ecbatana, The Medes’ capital before they formed a union with the Persians. The poet Ferdowsi says that Ecbatana was built by King Jamshid.
According to historical records, there was once a castle in this city by the name of Haft Hessar (Seven Walls) which had a thousand rooms and its grandeur equalled that of the Babylon Tower. The structures of city are related to Diya Aku, a King of the Medes from 700 BC. According to Greek records, this territory was called ‘Ekbatan’ and ‘Hegmataneh’ by this King, thus transformed into a huge capital.
During the Parthian era, Ctesiphon became capital of Persia, and Hamedan became the summer capital and residence of the Parthian rulers. After the Parthians, the Sassanids constructed their summer palaces in Hamedan as well. In the year 633 when the war of Nahavand took place and Hamedan came into the hands of the invading Arabs, at times it thrived and at times it declined and witnessed hardships. During the Buwayhids, it suffered plenty of damages. In the 11th century, the Seljuks shifted their capital from Baghdad to Hamedan once again.
Ganj Nameh (گنج نامه) – By Pedram Veisi
The city of Hamaden was always at risk during the rise and fall of powers. It was completely destroyed during the Timurid invasion. But during the Safavid era the city thrived once more. In the 18th century, Hamedan surrendered to the Ottomans, but Hamedan was retaken by Nader Shah Afshari, and under the peace treaty between Iran and the Ottomans it was returned to Iran.
The city of Hamedan lay on the Silk Road and even in recent centuries enjoyed good prospects in commerce and trade being on the main road network in the western region of Iran.
According to local Jewish traditions, the City of Hamedan is mentioned in the Bible, as the capital of Ancient Persia in the days of King Ahasuerus in the Book of Esther. It was then known as Shushan. The Tombs of Mordecai and Esther are located in modern-day Hamedan.
Nushijan Ancient Temple & Castle (آتشکده و قلعه باستانی نوشیجان) – By Bijan1351
Major cities of Hamedan province are: Toyserkan, Nahavand, Malayer, Asad Abad, Bahar, Razan, Kabudrahang.
Languages that are spoken in the counties of Hamadan province are mainly: Persian, Azeri, Luri, Kurdish, Laki and others.
Hamedan counties
Kabudarahang, Gol Tappeh, Shirin Su, Sardrud, Razan, Hamadan, Qorveh-e, Darjazin, Famenin, Shara, Jowkar, Malayer, Zand, Samen, Tuyserkan, Asad Abad, Qolqol Rud, Khezel, Zarrin Dasht, Giyan, Nahavand, Lalejin, Saleh Abad and Bahar
There are many cultural and historical attractions in Hamedan province including:
Tomb of Baba Taher the poet, Ganj Nameh inscriptions of Darius The Great, Tomb of Esther & Mordechai, Ali Sadr (Ardeles) cave, Tomb of Avicenna, Waterfall of Ganjnameh, Stone Lion of Hamedan, Abass Abad jangle(Baugh), Qorban Building, Alavian Tomb,
Eram Park, Hegmatane (Ekbatan) City of 5000 years ago, Imam (pahlavi) Sq, Alvand Mountain and Grand Bazzar of Mozafarieh
Nushijan Ancient Temple & Castle (آتشکده و قلعه باستانی نوشیجان) – By Bijan1351
District of Tuyserkan – By dynamosquito
Tomb of Avicenna – By Bijan1351
Ali Sadr (Ardeles) cave – By Sarmastian
Hamadan Nature – By nimbo_m
