March 16, 2021 Alamut Castle Alamut Castle, one of the unique historical fortresses in , is located in Qazvin Province on the top of a rock with 200m height upper than the surrounding lands, 5 tasnimnews.com reported. Iranica Zanjan’s filigree unique in the world

Iranica Desk

he filigree (malileh kari) is among the most noble handi- crafts of Zanjan, said the handicraft deputy of the north- EXCLUSIVE Twestern Iranian province’s Administration of Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and . Elnaz Khodaeifard also said Zanjan’s silverwork is of remark-

able quality worldwide, adding, “Filigree, repoussage (mesgari), IRAN DAILY as well as -making are the significant fields of metalwork in Zanjan, and the province is the number one in the country in terms early years of .” of metal artwork production.” The Saltmen were discovered in the Chehrabad mines, lo- Filigree is a form of intricate metalwork used in jewelry and cated on the southern part of the Hamzehlu village, on the west other small artistic objects. side of Zanjan. By 2010, the remains of six men were unearthed, “Twisted threads of silver are used through Islamic and regular most of them accidentally killed by the collapse of galleries in patterns to create detailed works of art, such as candlesticks, flow- which they were working. er pots, tea sets, picture frames, and different pieces of jewelry,” When asked about the non-metal handicrafts of Zanjan, Khodaei- Khodaeifard said. fard said, “Various types of traditional footwear, namely charogh, Filigree, repoussage, and knife-making of Zanjan received Na- are made in Zanjan. tional Heritage Status by the Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and “The process is underway to inscribe the Zanjan’s charogh on Tourism Ministry in 2018, said the Iranian official, while the city the National Heritage List,” said Khodaeifard. of Zanjan was named as the ‘World City of Filigree’ by the World Traditional jewelry is the other trademark of the industry in the Crafts Council (WCC) a year later. province. “Most precious pieces of filigree in the world are currently “Zanjan is one of the biggest manufacturers of agate and silver manufactured in Zanjan, according to WCC experts, though the rings in the country.” artworks are made in other parts of the country,” said Khodaeifard. The handicraft deputy of Zanjan’s cultural heritage administration Khodaeifard said knife-making is the signature of Zanjan’s said some 9,000 craftsmen are currently active in the province. handicrafts in the world, adding, “An ancient technique has been “Since most of the province’s handicrafts are produced in the adopted in making the up to the present, which has led to metalworking fields, it is more of a men’s business in Zanjan, the top quality of the product. making it the biggest source of income for the majority of the “The single-piece structure, the method of riveting the hilts, and households.” the plating of the blades are what make the knives unique,” added Zanjan’s knives are the major handicraft exports of the prov- the Khodaeifard, who also said the city was the hub of making ince, Khodaeifard said, though she added the business has been metal weaponry in the ancient ages. hugely affected by the coronavirus pandemic over the past year as “One of the oldest knives discovered in Iran belongs to Zanjan’s the sales have dropped to below $1 million due to the reduction of ilna.news Saltmen, dating back to the latter stages of Achaemenid period and tourists.

Kashan Bazaar a center of trade for more than 800 years

Looking for a place to immerse in the heart of This bazaar had different meanings for peo- the local’s people lifestyle? Wondering how ple over the course of time. It has been men- they may spend a day? Try Persian ancient tioned by different authors, journalists, mer- markets known as bazaar. chants, and travelers. There are too many historical, local, and au- Bazaar-e mesgarha section in Kashan Bazaar thentic things awaiting you in Persian bazaars. is one of the most spectacular places of the orient. Specific architectural features observed in build- Well, do not forget to buy souvenirs for your ing Persian bazaars, they consist of various parts loved ones when visiting Kashan. Bazaar offers like mosque, bath, caravanserai, timcheh, and a variety of authentic options for you to buy as rasteh. As a result, wandering around the tradi- a souvenir. Kashan Bazaar has sweets, herbal tional bazaar of Kashan, central province of Is- drinks, and high-quality rosewater which you fahan, is quite adventurous. So try to dress like should try. Rasteh-ye Mesgarha is the source of a local and follow us through the mysteries of original and local copper products. If you are Kashan Bazaar, tappersia.com reported. more of an artistic person, you can find vases, jewelry boxes, and carpets in the bazaar as History well. You will find the well-known Mohtasham Kashan Carpet in this bazaar and thanks to its Dating back to the Seljuk Era — 10th centu- delicate weaving, you can enjoy the very little ry — Kashan Bazaar is located right in heart of tappersia.com details on this carpet. In case you are looking the city and has been renovated during Safavid tually, its architecture is a significant feature of other Persian bazaars, there are mosques, tim- get ready for some professional yet authentic for fresh spices, dried fruits, and nuts, the ba- Dynasty. A bitter fact about it is that during the the bazaar. Being renovated several times, the chehes, rastehes, qanats, tombs, baths, arcades, pieces of art. zaar is the best place to find the best kind of 18th-century earthquake, so many people in the bazaar has both bricks and restored parts. But and water reservoirs in Kashan Bazaar. The complicated network of water canals — them. Note that the old spice mill in the bazaar bazaar have been killed and major parts were no worries, fortunately, it has still preserved its Wondering what a timcheh might be?! Well, known as ‘qanat’ in Persian — is another re- is still operating. ruined. Due to the development of local indus- spirit. To illustrate it better, the amazing sandy timcheh is a collection of shops in an area. It is markable structure of the bazaar that supplies tries during the reign of Fathali Shah’s from domes plays a pivotal role in the lightning of actually a smaller caravanserai in which luxury ponds and fountains and makes the air inside When to visit Kashan Bazaar? Qajar dynasty, there have been new structures the inner space of the bazaar and made it quite stuff is being sold. cooler and fresher. built in the bazaar. a scenery from outside. So don’t forget to take Timcheh-ye Amin od-Dowleh is a three-store Miremad Mosque — known also as Meydan Since Kashan is located in a desert, spring In 1976, Kashan Bazaar was registered on your camera with you. Despite all other parts of building in a covered part of the bazaar that Mosque due to being close to a square — have and autumn are more suitable seasons to go to Iran’s National Heritage List. Being close to Kashan, you can visit the bazaar at noon when connects four parts of the bazaar to each other. various ancient inscriptions, shabestan, bricky Kashan. The bazaar is not the only wonder of the ancient trade routes and having a magnifi- the sun lights make amazing artistic shadows Rasteh is also a long line with stores on both domes, and an old cistern. This mosque is more the city to visit; Ameri Traditional House, Tape cent architectural design are the two promi- in the bazaar. A scenery which you should not sides in which people’s occupations are the than 800 years old. Marble embellishments on Sialk (Sialk Hill) Abbasi House, Puppet Mu- nent features of this bazaar. For more than 800 miss capturing. same. There are three main rastehes in Kashan Abdol Razagh Khan Bathhouse (Hammam-e seum, and Aqa Bozorg Jame Mosque are some years, this bazaar has been a center of trade. The remarkable architecture of the bazaar is Bazaar: Mesgarha (coppersmiths), zargarha Khan) will also intrigue you. The bath is func- of the places you must visit while traveling to Are you curious about its architecture? Ac- what will catches every visitors’ eyes. Same as (goldsmiths), and kafash-ha (shoemakers). So tioning as a teahouse these days. Kashan.

Ali Sadr Cave in Hamedan Province one of largest subterranean water complexes in world

ern province of Hamedan, is one of the and karst deposits with various forms. jugs found onsite indicates that the largest subterranean water complexes This with about 2,400m in cave boat- cave were inhabited by early humans in the world. Stable since its formation ing is the biggest cave in the world starting 12,000 years ago. An addi- millions of years ago, the sunless grot- from this respect. This cave has a last- tional entrance to Ali Sadr Cave was toes feature clear waters, fantastical ing exploitation and protection man- constructed during the reign of Darius I rock formations, and stalactite-covered agement system. (521-485 BCE), but at some point after ceilings soaring high overhead. Colorful, glittering geological struc- that the cave was apparently forgotten, Unlike many other aquatic caves, tures cover the tunnel walls above being rediscovered only in 1963. Since the body of water in Ali Sadr Cave is and below the surface of the water, then it has been explored by mountain- not a flowing river, but rather an exten- which is clear enough to provide vis- eers and geologists from both Iran and sive, web-like lake seemingly fed by ibility to a depth of five meters. Tight, abroad. Its known extent at this point spring waters from nearby Sarab Cave. winding passageways branch off end- stretches over 11 kilometers, with its Visitors to Ali Sadr Cave are conduct- lessly from one another, or open up longest passage mapped thus far run- ed to an underground wharf where into massive rooms like the Wedding ning almost the same distance. they board boats that take them gliding Room (also called the 1,000 Stalac- The standard tour takes visitors on a silently through this chain of flooded tites Room), the Island (which sits 2,100-meter journey through Ali Sadr chambers, danub.de reported. at the center of the complex), and the Cave, 1,470 meters of which is cov- irantourtravel.com Ali Sadr Cave has too many wa- 600-meter-long Freedom Hall (the ered by boat — making it one of the With a network of channels, lakes, out over several kilometers, Ali Sadr ter halls and wide variety of beautiful largest chamber in the network). longest underground boat trips in the and watery passageways spreading Cave located in Kabudarahang, west- features such as stalactites, stalagmites Prehistoric paintings, pitchers, and world. tripadvisor.com