Hamadan, Iran - Ecbatana, Persia
Hamadan (Hamedan) is situated 400 km south west of Tehran,
190 km east of Kermanshah and 530 km north west of Isfahan at the elevation of 1800 meters.
The province of Hamadan covers an area of 19,546 sq. km. and is located to the west of Iran. Asad Abad, Towiserkan, Bahar, Razan, Kabudrahang, Malayer, Nahavand and Hamadan are the townships of this province. In the year 1996, Hamadan province had a population of approximately 1.7 million, of which about 48.3 % resided in urban areas, and about 51.7% in the rural areas. The province lies in an elevated region, with the 'Alvand' mountains, running from the north west to the south west. This mountainous area is to the south west and east of the Hamadan city. To the east of Hamadan, and east of the heights of Alvand, that is in between the mountains of 'Alvand' and 'Gerou' or (Gerin), in the south, are the plains.
A large central roundabout with six avenues running into it, this is what a simplified plan of modern Hamadan looks like. Nothing is left of ancient Ecbatana, the Medes' capital before they formed a union with the Persians. The poet Ferdowsi says it was founded by Jamshid, a king who was maybe somewhat hastily described as legendary. There are not even a few old stones in any museum, and there is not much to be said for a misshaped "lion" similar to those which decorated the tombs of Parthian officers. A more interesting sight for tourists who may not have seen any before are the Cuneiform rupestral inscriptions engraved on a cliff at the bottom of a green valley about 10 kilometers west of the city, the site is called Ganj_e Nameh.
Today's Hamadan is what is left of Ecbatana, The Medes' capital before they formed a union with the Persians.
The poet Ferdowsi says that Ecbatana was build by
King Jamshid. The modern Hamadan consists of a large central roundabout with six avenues running into it.
While lacking antique vestiges, Hamadan, has several monuments worthy of interest. They are usually mausoleums. Their exterior was recently
renewed by constructions inspired by the spindle - shaped structure of Mongol towers, to the exclusion of all other features of these towers. The
best one covers the Tomb of the famous Ibn Sina called Abu Ali by the Persians and Avicenna by the Western world.
Hamadan is one of the oldest cities of not only Iran but of the world. Its historical origins date back to several centuries before Christ. Hamadan, which was the summer capital of the Median and Achaemenid was then called Ekbatan or Hegmataneh; meaning a place of assembly. Hamadan is one of the cradles of Oriental civilization with legendary background. 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. All the nations living around Iran coveted the prominent natural position of Hamadan from the times immemorial until recent centuries; and have invaded the city several times. First, the Assyrians destroyed Hamadan. It was ruined again and again during the invasion of Mongols and Tamerlane. Finally, in the recent centuries the Ottomans attacked the city several times; but Hamadan heroically stood against the enemies and courageously withstood all the losses it had sustained. Hamadan is the homeland of great scholars and men ot letters like Elnaighozat, Khajeh Rashidoddin Fazlollah, Adham Hamadani, Baba Taher Orian and Mirzadeh Eshghi; and the tombs of Avicenna and Baba Taher are located in this city. Hamadan has preserved its importance in the post-Islamic period.
According to the latest statistical surveys, Hamadan province’s population is 1,650,000 of various ethnic origins with their own special cultures and traditions.
Almost all the population is muslim . In different areas they speak persian (Farsi), Turkish, Lori, Laki and Kurdish however, all of them understand and speak persian.
The population of Hamadan privince is distributed in the 6 cities of Hamadan (the capital of the province),Malayer, Nahavand, Twiserkan, Kabudarahang and Assadabad as well as their various districts and villages.
The occupation of city dwellers is either administrative or industrial sevices and in other parts of the province agriculture constitutes the people’s main business.
The capital city of the province is linked by main roads, to Qazvin, Tehran , Kermanshah (and the western parts of the country), Malayer, Borujerd (and the southern areas) and Saveh (and the country’s central regions). Let’s begin the visit to Hamadan province.
Hamadan province has two protected environmental sites, oneis in the west by the name of Assadabad and the other is located east Malayer, named Lashkar. The latter hosts antelope, ibex, ram, ewe and leopard.In the high plain of Assadabad lives the area’s famouse ewe bird.Among the other forms of wildife in this area, there are various types of birds of prey like Delijeh falcon, hawk, falcon, sparrow hawk and Balaban falcon as well as various migratory birds like geese, ducks, partridge and yellow partridge. Antelope and ibex are abundantly found in the highlands of this province. The latter has a pair of swordlike horns as long as 140 centimeters with beard and a dark strap around the lower neck and chest which adde beauty to this animal. The region’s antelope and ibex sometimes weigh up to 60 kilograms and live as long as 14 years. They live in the rough rocky areas where they move quite easily.
Hamadan has always been well known for handicrafts like leather and ceramic work; as well as for its beautiful carpeat . The art of carpet weaving is so significant in Hamadan that the Iranian Carpet Company has established an office there. The carpets and the rugs of Hamadan are famous for their quality, beautiful and colors.
The are of ceramics is centered in the village of Lalejin in the vicinity of Hamadan . There are several ceramic workshops and numerous skilful artist that create the most beautiful and colourful ceramic jars in great numbers.Visiting one of these workshops can be one of the best parts of a tour to hamadan.
Outside Hamadan one can visit the village of Lalejin, famous for its pottery industry; or take a boat tour round the Ali Sadr Caves, an endless network of caves full of clear water with caverns up to 10 metres high and 100 metres wide. Also of interest is the Ganj Nameh, Hamadan's oldest Achaemenian rock carvings dating from the 6th century BC.
Hamadan is one of the cradles of Oriental Civilization with
legendary backgroun. 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 of the Babylon Tower.
- Abu Ali Sina (Avicenna)
Born: 980 in Kharmaithen (near Bukhara, Persia), Central Asia (now Uzbekistan)
Died: June 1037 in Hamadan, Persia (now Iran)
- Baba Tahir Oryan
Another poet is honored in Hamadan Baba Taher, who lived during the same period as Ibn Sina. Born in Hamadan, Iran, in the early eleventh century, was considered by his contemporaries as one
of the most eminent, erudite mystics and sentimentalists of his
time, a reputation he has held in the affection of his countrymen to the present day. Hamadan's most curious monument is a Jewish mausoleum reputed to contain the Tombs of Esther and Mordecai. Esther was a young Jewish girl who came to as Xerxes for just treatment and protection for the people of Moses.
- Ganjnameh - The Achaemenian treasure inventory - Abbas-Abad Valley, 5Kms. West of Hamadan.
Two inscriptions carved on the face of Alvand mountain, belonging to Darius and Xerxes [Khashayarshah].
Links:
|
Summary
