Known as the cradle of history and civilization in Iran, Hamedan is a province which is possessing a notable rare history while having cool weather within the summers, in addition to the awesome natural attractions; as a result, Hamedan can be a good choice for summer trips within the lovely IRAN. This article is mainly about the city of Hamedan which is the provincial capital of a province with the same name; we’re going to do our best in order to make you informed as much as possible, this is how you can enjoy the most of your travel to Hamedan city.
Hamedan city is located within a high region, 1741 meters above the sea level, in western part of Iran, this is why the city is possessing a cold weather in general. Although Hamedan is one of the oldest cities of the world, it’s been restored in order to have some modern aspects inside; as a result, German engineers and architectures have been the first ones who have formed the first foundations of the modern Hamedan.
Based on the evidences, the first traces of a civilization in current location of Hamedan, dates back to 6000 years ago, when Arians had lived here; but through the history, Hamedan is most known by being dedicated to Madian kingdom in Iran, counting on Herodot quote,. Madian kingdom has chosen Hamedan as the capital city of the entire territory, when Diako was the king. Accordingly, the first foundations of the current city of Hamedan has been formed in this age and thence to being the capital, the city has faced foundational progresses. Not only through Madian kingdom, but also within Achaemenid dynasty, Hamedan was one of the strategical parts of the vast territory of Iran; but don’t forget that due to it’s vicinity to the borders of Iran in western part, it has also experienced many wars and destroys.
Best Time to Travel
To emphasize moron what we’ve mentioned before, Hamedan is located in high region of western Iran; so, it has a freezing weather throughout the year except summers. Although the majority of Iranian cities won’t have any snow falls throughout the year, Hamedan is totally covered by the snow within the autumn and winter, it may shock you to hear that the temperature reaches -25 degrees within the snow season while it reaches 36 degrees within the summer; so the best time to travel to Hamedan can be Spring and summer.
How to reach Hamedan?
If you’re wondering how to reach the city of Hamedan, Fantastic Iran Travel is going to say that, it can be reached by airplane as the city has as airport which about 5 km away from the city; you can easily find some flights within the week mostly from Tehran. In addition, based on it’s approximate vicinity to Tehran, bus and even private cars can be good choices.
Hamedan Highlighted Hotels
Hamedan, as one of the most highlighted destinations of Iran, has some accommodation sources from expensive high quality services in top hotels to the normal moderate qual hotels; this is how you can easily choose your desired type of hotel in Hamedan, based on your budget for your trip.
The below items are some of the most notable hotels in Hamedan:
- International Amiran Hotel
- BuAli Hotel
- AliSadr Cave Hotel
- Traditional domicile of Varkaneh
- Traditional domicile of Amaday
Hamedan Foods
Like the other parts of Iran, Hamedan has it’s own traditional foods which are mostly limited to different types of broths and soups. The fee for the foods of this city is not that expensive; this is how you can easily eat the most high qual foods by less that 5 euros. The below foods can be the most known food types in Hamedan:
- BozBash Broth
- Kalam Ghomri Broth
- Kachi Soup
- Rise Broth
- Pepper Broth
- Sardashi Kebab
If you’re looking for the best restaurants of Hamedan, just notice the below ones:
- Ariyan Restaurant
- Darius Ganjnameh Restaurant
- Delzhin Italian Restaurant
Ali Sadr Cave
With no doubt, Ali Sadr Cave is the most known attraction of Hamedan, as it’s the largest water cave of the world which is located about 70 km away from the city. As soon as reaching the cave, you should buy ticket and take your boat to start the journey that you haven’t seen before as it’s embracing some of the oddest natural and unique structures. It can be interesting to know that the cave’s temperature is about 20 degrees all over the year no matter the out side is snowing or 40 degrees.
Hegmataneh Hill
The view of distant mountains from the top of this low, open hill is pleasantly rewarding, especially in the late afternoon, but it’s what lies below that excites archaeologists: an ancient Median and Achaemenid city. Small sections have been excavated over the last century, most extensively in the 1990s. You can wander above several shed-covered trenches on wobbly plank scaffolding. There’s a smart museum nearby, as well as two Armenian churches, now part of Hamadan University. The ancient walls’ gold and silver coatings are long gone and it’s hard to envisage the lumpy remnants as having once constituted one of the world’s great cities. The museum tries to fill the mental gap, showcasing archaeological finds such as large amphorae, Seljuk fountains, Achaemenid pillar bases and Parthian coffins. The main site entrance is to the north, but there’s a handy ‘back-door’ staircase from the city bus terminal behind the bazaar that climbs directly to the churches.
Ganjnameh
Ganjnameh (literally ‘Treasure Book’) is so named because its cuneiform rock carvings were once thought to be cryptic clues leading to caches of Median treasure. These days it’s selfie central as groups of locals pose next to the inscriptions or in front of a nearby waterfall. The site, 8km from Hamadan’s centre, is the gateway to hikes up majestic Alvand Kuh. Take a savari (IR30,000) from Shari’ati St near the Tomb of Esther and Mordecai; dar baste will cost IR150,000.
BuAli Sina Mausoleum
Hamadan’s iconic 1954 BuAli Sina (Avicenna) Mausoleum dominates his namesake square and resembles a concrete crayon pointing to the heavens. It was loosely modelled on Qabus’ 1000-year-old tower in Gonbad-e Kavus. Only aficionados will want to pay the entry fee, which gives you access to a single-room museum of Avicenna memorabilia, his tombstone, a small library and a display on medicinal herbs. Entry is from the east.
Masjed-e Jameh
A vaulted passage of the bazaar leads into the courtyard of the large Qajar-era Masjed-e Jameh. The disused south iwan (entrance) leads into a hall over which there’s an impressively large brick dome. The north iwan is lavished with patterned blue tile work that continues on four of the mosque’s six minarets. Some areas are restricted to men only.
Alaviyan Dome
The 12th-century green dome, immortalised by a reference to it in the poet Khaqani’s work, has long since been removed, but the untopped brick tower remains famous for the whirling floral stucco added in the Ilkhanid Mongol era; this ornamentation is described by an enraptured Robert Byron in Road to Oxiana. In the crypt (steps down from the rear interior) is the plain-blue-tiled Alaviyan family tomb, covered with votive Islamic embroidery.
- Gold and Silver engravings
- Pottery and Ceramics
- Painting
- Miniature
- Mosaic
- Inlaid Art work
Hamedan city tour
The city of Hamedan is one of the western and mountainous cities of Iran and the center of the city and the province of Hamedan
It was the first capital of the Aryans. A trip to Hamedan means a trip to the heart of Iranian history. A trip to the famous hills of Hegmataneh with a history of three thousand years
Hamedan was the first capital of the first empire of Iran, the Medes.
The Tomb of Avicenna is a monument to Sheikh Al-Ra’is Ibn Sina, famous Iranian philosopher, scientist and doctor, located on Bu Ali Sina square in the center of Hamadan. Abu Ali Sina is one of the honors of every Iranian who lived in the 4th century.
Abu Ali Sina’s tomb has 12 columns, which is a sign of the 12 sciences that Abu Ali Sina dominated.
after that visit Ganjnameh are left by the Achaemenid kings Each year, it attracts a large number of history enthusiasts.
The Stone Lion Statue in Hamedan is one of the sites of Hamedan that has been remembered since the reign of the ancient kings in the capital of Iranian culture and civilization. The lion sculpture in Hamedan is over 2000 years old.
According to historical accounts, Esther was a young Jewish woman who married Achaemenid king Xerxes five centuries before Christ and persuaded him to allow the Jews to live freely within the borders of the Persian Empire.
The tomb of Esther and Mordecai is one of the most important Jewish shrines in Iran and the world.