The Silk Road in Iran and the Persian Caravanserai The Silk Roads, as the oldest trading and communication network across the world, have connected many civilizations for millennia, bringing together peoples, cultures and economies. The roads provided a ground not only for the exchange of goods but also for the interactions of ideas and cultures that have shaped a part of our world today. The people living along the Silk Roads enjoy diverse cultures, religions and languages, and as a result of their interactions, they have influenced each other. The Silk Roads have created architectural elements related to their functions, which reflect regional techniques, arts and even beliefs. Such elements include caravanserais, navigation towers, water cisterns, qanats, mosques and even cities. The caravanserais in particular functioned as meeting points for travellers and places for merchants to conduct their business, trading goods and commodities. Furthermore, they were a place for scientists and many other scholars to exchange their knowledge and ideas. Such places could make it possible to discover new civilizations or to learn new languages. Today, many historic buildings and monuments still stand, marking the passage of the Silk Roads through caravanserais, ports and cities. But the long-standing and ongoing legacy of this remarkable network is also reflected in the many distinct but interconnected cultures, languages, customs and religions that have developed over millennia along these routes. Precious silk Even though a variety of valuable materials, goods and commodities were transported, sold and traded along the Silk Roads – precious stones such as agate and turquoise, spices, salt, medicine, jewellery, etc. – it was silk that captivated Western markets and civilizations from antiquity until the end of the 19th century. The reason behind the huge demand for silk went beyond its superlative quality and extensive use in the
The Silk Road in Iran and the Persian Caravanserai The Silk Roads, as the oldest trading and communication network across the world, have connected many civilizations for millennia, bringing together peoples, cultures and economies. The roads provided a ground not only for the exchange of goods but also for the interactions of ideas and
Mount Sabalan 3rd Tallest Volcanoes in Asia Mount Sabalan is the third highest peak in Iran at an altitude of 4811 m. It is located in Ardabil province, the northwest part of the country. Sabalan or Savalan Mountain is an inactive volcano at 4811 m and is one of the most beautiful mountains in Iran. So far, not too many foreign climbers choose this pinnacle as it is in the northwest corner of the country, far from the capital. However, it certainly appeals to enterprising climbers, looking for something particular. Being so far north, the peak is covered with snow for most of the year. At the summit, there is an impressive and alluring lake situated at over 4784 m, making it one of the world’s highest lakes. Mount Sabalan is an inactive stratovolcano in Iran. The lake has been formed in the volcano’s crater, which is covered with ice from October to May. From the peak, there is a 360° panoramic view of the area. When the weather is clear, you can see numerous mountains in the northwestern part of Iran and the Caspian Sea region. Furthermore, flora and fauna are abundant around the mountain which adds to the magnificent view, making it even more attractive. Moreover, many nomads live around the mountain. One of the most famous is the Shah Savan tribe. MT Sabalan Ascent is one of Adventure Iran’s short tours with acclimatization of Mt Kolon Bastak peak. https://www.adventureiran.com/zagros-mountain-range/
Mount Sabalan 3rd Tallest Volcanoes in Asia Mount Sabalan is the third highest peak in Iran at an altitude of 4811 m. It is located in Ardabil province, the northwest part of the country. Sabalan or Savalan Mountain is an inactive volcano at 4811 m and is one of the most beautiful mountains in Iran.
Great Wall of Gorgan The remains of the Great Wall of Gorgan, also known as “The Red Snake Wall” due to the color of its bricks, are located in northern Iran in the Golestan Province. Dating back to the Sasanid dynasty, the wall was originally built in approx. 420-530AD, which makes it 1,000 years older than the Great Wall of China. It has the remains of 38 fortifications and stretches for almost 200km. The Wall is believed by some to be the longest manmade ancient barrier between Central Europe and China and even longer than the Hadrian’s Wall and the Antonine Wall put together. Since there was not any stone or timber in the area, the wall was constructed with bricks. Substantial sections of the Great Wall of Gorgan appear, however, to be buried under the Caspian Sea. Together with the Tammisheh Wall, a shorter defensive barrier of similar design, also dating from the Sasanid time, both walls were part of the same defense system and were built of large fired bricks of similar shape and size and lined by an earth bank and ditch supplied with water by the canals. The canals bridged the Gorgan River via qanats. The Wall and the canals prove the hydraulic engineering skills of the Iranians in the Sassanid era. https://www.adventureiran.com/golestan-province-and-turkmen-plain-tourist-highlights/ https://www.adventureiran.com/golestan-national-park/
Great Wall of Gorgan The remains of the Great Wall of Gorgan, also known as “The Red Snake Wall” due to the color of its bricks, are located in northern Iran in the Golestan Province. Dating back to the Sasanid dynasty, the wall was originally built in approx. 420-530AD, which makes it 1,000 years older
Alamut Valley in Iran Alamut is the name of a huge valley located on the western edge of the Alborz mountain range, northeast of Qazvin province, Iran. It lies beneath the southern side of the Alborz mountains, between the dry plains of Qazvin province in the south and the densely forested slopes of Mazandaran province, south of the Caspian Sea. The Alamut mountain region was potentially perfect for castle construction due to its height and inaccessibility, providing a natural built-in defense structure against invaders. The Ismailis built two citadels in the Alamut Valley, famous for their enormous size. Ismailis are a branch of Shia Muslims who believe in seven Shia Imams (e.g. seven heavens, seven continents, seven orifices in the skull, seven days in a week, etc.) Hassan-e Sabbah built the castles of Alamut and Lambsar in Alamut Valley. As he lived in the Alamut Castle for many years, it is also known as Hassan Sabbah’s Castle. He was an Ismaili messenger who founded a community in the Alborz Mountains in the late 11th century. Sabbah used the Alamut Castle as the main command center for a decentralized Persian uprising against the Seljuk Turks. He founded a group of fadayeen (hermits) whose members are known in western literature as the Hashshashin or "Assassins". Alamut Castle is located in the Moalem Kalayeh district of Qazvin province. It is situated close to a village called Gazor Khan on its northeastern side. The castle’s height is 2,163 m., built on a 220m cliff. The castle dates back to the 11th century. The cultural landscape of Alamut has been added to the tentative list of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites. Since 2007, it is still waiting for its inscription. Freya Stark was a British traveler who explored the Valley of Alamut. She
Alamut Valley in Iran Alamut is the name of a huge valley located on the western edge of the Alborz mountain range, northeast of Qazvin province, Iran. It lies beneath the southern side of the Alborz mountains, between the dry plains of Qazvin province in the south and the densely forested slopes of Mazandaran province,
