I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 8 HERITAGE & TOURISM FEBRUARY 8, 2020

Iranian, German experts Foreign arrivals in hits 8 million to cooperate in Kerman archaeological survey in 10 months: tourism minister HERITAGE – Experts from German University deskof Tubingen along with Iranian fellows will commence a joint archaeological survey in Kerman province, southeastern Iran. Supervised by Iran’s Cultural Heritage and Tourism Research Center, the survey is scheduled to kick off on February 20, IRNA reported.

So far, five seasons of archeological research have been con- ducted in comprehensive and inclusive fields of study in the cities of Jiroft, Anbarabad, Faryab and Kahnooj, which yielded valuable information of human settlements from the Neolithic era onwards, the report added. The big and sprawling Kerman province has been a cultural melting pot since antiquity, blending Persians with subconti- nental tribe dwellers. It is home to myriad historical sites and scenic landscapes such as -e Sartasari, Jabalieh Dome, Ganjali Khan Bathhouse, Malek Jameh and Shahdad Travelers pose for a photo during their visits to the UNESCO-tagged Saint Stepanos Monastery in northwest Iran. Desert to name a few. TOURISM TEHRAN — Some during the first ten months of the year,” 2019, with 27.9 percent growth year on pocket-friendly packages, as well as in- deskeight million foreign -Asghar Mounesan said on Wednesday, year, according to the latest statistics centives such as visa waivers or 90-day nationals have visited Iran since the IRIB reported. released by the United Nations World visas on arrival. Hamburg launches new beginning of the current Iranian calen- Mounesan made the remarks in Tehran Tourism Organization (UNWTO). Iran welcomed some 7.8 million for- online guide showcasing dar year (March 21, 2019) despite [U.S.] on the sidelines of a ceremony to inau- In January, Mounesan issued a state- eign nationals last year, achieving 52.5 sanctions and a sharp decline in flights gurate 472 tourism projects worth 20 ment, inviting all travelers and holiday- percent increase year on year. city’s historical port venues by some foreign airlines, tourism min- trillion rials (about $510 million) through makers to visit the ancient land, saying The country expects to reap a bonanza ister has said. videoconferencing, the report said. that the country-size guesthouse is whole- from its numerous tourist spots, includ- ‘Ahoy 2020!’ Event planners can dive into the heart of Ham- “Over the past couple of months, [the The projects are estimated to generate heartedly ready to receive tourists from ing 22 ones that have been placed on the burg’s seafaring heritage with a virtual tour of the city‘s tourism sector of] Iran has been suffering 4,200 jobs and add 8,700 beds to the around the world. UNESCO World Heritage list. Under the best maritime venues, brought to life by the team who know from sanctions and decrease in the number country’s hotels, hostels, guesthouses He emphasized that the Iranian 2025 Tourism Vision Plan, the country the city best – Hamburg Convention Bureau (HCB). HCB’s of flights by foreign airlines, however, and eco-lodges. government is trying its best to host in- aims to increase the number of tourist new online homestory showcases unique venues blending the Islamic Republic has played host Iran was ranked the third fastest grow- coming tourists by improving tourism arrivals from 4.8 million in 2014 to 20 seafaring history, industry culture and maritime flair. to some eight million foreign travelers ing tourism destination in the globe in infrastructure, offering attractive and million in 2025. The first stop for the team is one of the largest event locations in Hamburg - former dockside shed number 52A (Schuppen 52). Formerly used to store spices, number 52a stands among cranes and ships in the historic Port. Centrally located, it can be reached quickly by both land and sea – Iran resumes archaeological exploration at ancient Qumis including shuttle barges along the River Elbe. At over 6,000 square meters, number 52a offers space for HERITAGE TEHRAN – A new round of Appian of Alexandria, founded by the Seleucid king up to 3,000 guests, and thanks to a modern infrastructure, deskarchaeological exploration has been Seleucus I Nicator, according to Livius.org; a website including IT networking and safety features, it can be trans- commenced at the ancient Shahr-e Qumis in Damghan, on ancient history written and maintained since 1996 formed into a unique venue for conferences, exhibitions, north-central Iran, which was once one of the capital by the Dutch historian Jona Lendering. large parties or gala dinners. For smaller events of up to of the Parthian Empire (247 BC – 224 CE). Shahr-e Qumis comprises several ancient mounds. 200 guests, its sister venue along the Elbe - the Jachthafen “This [round of] exploration aims to document Only a few of them have been properly excavated, marina – fits the bill. archaeological remains of the site by the means of and the area between them has mostly been ignored. Delegates in Hamburg can walk the plank – literally - by remote sensing and field observations in order to The field of shards at Shahr-e Qumis measures some boarding the cargo ship Bleichen. This historic vessel used identify the reasons for the formation of the site as 7 by 4 kilometers or 28 square kilometers, which to transport parcels to Scandinavia via the Baltic Sea and a goal of this multi-year project,” ILNA reported. suggests that it must have boasted tens of thousands recently reopened as a museum and events space following The project is led by Iranian archaeologist Kourosh of inhabitants. restoration. Where wood, cocoa beans and peanuts were Roustaei under supervision of Iran’s Research Institute Some say that Alexander the Great stopped here once stored, there’s now a one-of-a-kind event space for of Cultural Heritage and Tourism. in Shahr-e Qumis in the summer of 330 BC and it up to 200 people. Today, the plain of Shahr-e Qumis is absolutely became part of the Seleucid Empire after his death. (Source: Travel Daily News) deserted, but everywhere, one can see the remains of Sherds are nearly found everywhere across the plain of Qumis was destroyed by an earthquake in 856 CE, an old city, which was, according to the Greek author Shahr-e Qumis, north-central Iran. and it was probably abandoned afterwards. ROUND THE GLOBE Island of Goree A glimpse of 11 historical , fortresses and citadels in Iran The Island of Goree in Senegal testifies to an unprece- Since the very beginning of human splendid is accessible via a dented human experience in the history of humanity. settlement, the existence of castles and mountainous winding route in the middle Indeed, for the universal conscience, this “memory is- citadels seemed crucial for protecting of a forest with more than 1000 stone land” is the symbol of the slave trade with its cortege of and defending inhabitants from enemies. steps. suffering, tears and death. During the history, particularly in Bam citadel The painful memories of the Atlantic slave trade are prehistoric and early historic times, castles Located in Bam city in Kerman crystallized in this small island of 28 hectares lying 3.5 km have played an important role in fortifying province, the Bam citadel (commonly off the coast from Dakar. Goree owes its singular destiny countries. They were normally maintained known as Arg-e Bam) is the largest adobe to the extreme centrality of its geographical position by authorities along significant routes or structure in the world which unfortunately, between the North and the South, and to its excellent cities and most of them were located in was largely destroyed during the Bam strategic position offering a safe haven for anchoring uncovered heights with steep slopes or earthquake in 2003. It originally dates ships, hence the name “Good Rade”. cliffs. Such locations have always served back to Achaemenid era and was a as a natural defense against enemies significant site on the Silk Road. This and offered a panoramic view over the enormous citadel has been registered as a surrounding lands, so the cities and their UNESCO World heritage site and covers surroundings lands could be defended. near 180,000 square meters. Most of the castles in Iran had springs or Rayen castle wells, except for those which were already This is another great monument located surrounded by water. These structures 100 kilometers of Kerman province. This are considered to represent an important medieval adobe castle is similar to Bam aspect of the country’s history and thus, castle and represent all the architectural are worth visiting as a tourist historic elements of a deserted citadel. This attraction. So, let’s discover some of the extremely well-preserved castle dates most famous castles in Iran together. back to more than 1000 years ago and Falak-ol-Aflak castle Travelers visit the ruins of Rayen castle in Iran’s Kerman province although it was inhabited until 150 years This amazing castle, dates back to ago, it is believed by some that it has Sassanid era and is located on top of the the southern Iran, this beautiful castle southwest of Kalibar city in northwestern origins in the pre-Islamic Sassanid era. Falak-ol-Aflak hill in city in resembles medieval monuments in , Iran. It is also known as immortal or Portuguese castle Thus, since the 15th century it has been prized by Lorestan province. This gigantic structure as it is constructed by French archaeologist republic castle and is considered to be Also known as Fort of Our Lady of various European nations that have successively used covers an area around 5300 square meters Jean-Marie Jacques in the late 1890s. The a national Iranian symbol, as it is the the Conception, this castle is one of the it as a stopover or slave market. First terminus of the and the height of the entire structure, castle is relatively well-preserved and is stronghold of Babak Khoramdin who main attractions of Hormuz Island in “homeoducs” who drained the slaves from the hinter- including the hill, reaches to more than a great example of the pre-scientific era. fought the Abbassids. The fort is accessible the south of Iran. This red stone castle land, Goree was at the center of the rivalry between 40 meters above its surrounding lands. Dokhtar castle through a long series of broken steps. is among the last survivals of Portuguese European nations for control of the slave trade. Until the castle Dokhtar Fortress- which literally means Izadkhast castle colonial rule in Persian Gulf. It was built abolition of the trade in the French colonies, the Island Although today only ruins of this girl-, is one of the oldest constructions Located in Fars province, the castle in 1507, when Hormuz was an important was a warehouse consisting of over a dozen slave hous- magnificent fortress have remained, it worldwide and is situated in Firuz-Abad is situated in Izadkhast complex which maritime city and a small kingdom near es. Amongst the tangible elements that reflect Goree’s was once a very glorious structure, located in Fars province. It was built in 209 CE consists of a castle, a and a the entrance to the Persian Gulf. universal value are, notably, the Castle, a rocky plateau in the mountainous region of Alamut in on a mountain slope under the order bridge. The castle dates back to Sassanid Narin Castle covered with fortifications which dominate the Island; the southern part of Gilan province near of Ardeshir I at the end of the Parthian era and Iran aims to have it registered in Situated in the beautiful city of Meybod the Relais de l’Espadon, former residence of the French Rudbar. Built around 865 CE, Alamut period. According to the name of this the UNESCO World Heritage list. in province, Narin is a mud-brick governor; etc… castle was considered to be impregnable castle, it is thought that it was dedicated Rudkhan castle fort, dating back to Achaemenid and The Island of Goree is now a pilgrimage destination to any attack and was famous for its to Goddess Anahita, to whom the term This brick and stone medieval castle Sassanid dynasties. The height of the for the African diaspora, a foyer for contact between the gardens and libraries where, scientists, “Maiden” refers. It is among the most of Rudkhan is one of the few castles in ruins of this castle reach 40 meters and it West and Africa, and a space for exchange and dialogue theologians and philosophers could debate attractive destinations in Fars province. Iran which located in an astonishing is possible to watch over 70 kilometers in between cultures through the confrontation of ideals of in intellectual freedom. landscape in forest. Built during the every direction from the top of the roof. reconciliation and forgiveness. Shush castle This castle is located in one of the most reign of Sassanid, the castle is situated The castle also has a large underground (Source: UNESCO) Situated in the ruins of the ancient beautiful landscapes in Iran, on top of 25 kilometers southwest of Fuman city chamber which was possibly a prison. city of Shush in Khuzestan province in a mountain in forests, 6 km in Gilan province. This well-preserved (Source: surfiran.com)