About Qom
As the second holiest city in Iran (after Mashhad) and the center of study for religious clerics and students, Qom has a reputation for being conservative and is therefore just a city to pass through on many travelers' itineraries. But that would mean missing out on the many architectural, cultural, and natural sites it has to offer. The present city of Qom has a history dating back to ancient times, and it was one of the main centers of Silk Carpet, Sweets, and Sohan production in Iran. Qom, a desert town, is one of the biggest centers in theology and religious ritual training. More than 20 million pilgrims visit this city every year, from Iran and other Shia’s from all around the world. Qom gained additional prosperity when oil was discovered at Sarajeh near the city in 1956 and a large refinery was built between Qom and Tehran.
About the Climate of Qom
Qom has a hot desert climate, comprising mountainous areas, foothills, and plains with low annual rainfall since it’s far from any seas. Summer is warm and arid and winter is nearly cold in this city. Agricultural activities are not possible in most of this province, especially near the salt lake regions.
Qom World Heritage Sites
As of now, Qom does not have any UNESCO World Heritage Sites, but the Qom Salt Dome has been enlisted in the UNESCO tentative list.
Qom Salt Dome
Qom Salt Dome (Jafariye or Taghrud) gives you the chance to witness a geological phenomenon. The water of this small lake is believed to have healing benefits, which attracts many Iranians. The hypersaline body of water in Qom Salt Dome features minerals such as magnesium, sodium, potassium, and calcium. Some of the health benefits this water provides are boosting the immune system, easing the pain of inflamed joints, moisturizing the skin, helping to control allergies, stimulating blood circulation, and rejuvenating your body by removing toxins and opening the pores. The history of the geology of Qom’s Salt Dome dates back to sixty million years ago. Tughrud Salt Dome is the only salt dome in the world. The dome’s blade-like salt crystals have created a beautiful landscape.
Attractions of Qom
Qom is famous for its “Sohan” a flat sweet biscuit made of pistachios and saffron, “Gaz” a nougat sweet, and also its beautiful silk rugs. Some of Qom’s attractions include:
Fatima Masumeh Shrine
The Fatima Masumeh Shrine tends to fly under the radar, but it is one of Iran’s most stunning mosques. Named for a sister of Imam Reza, the eighth Shia imam whose shrine is located in Mashhad, the geometric shapes and floral motifs of this shrine have a distinctly feminine touch, making you want to linger outside a bit longer to admire the tiles. The interior of this spacious shrine is immaculately decorated and has many notable burials on-site, ranging from royalty and political figures to clerics and scholars.
Hoz-e Soltan (Salt Lake)
Hoz-e Soltan Lake was formed as the result of the Tehran-Qom road construction in 1883. According to the input water and rainfall, the extent and the formation of the lake are constantly fluctuating in different seasons of the year. Due to the high salt layer forming in the southern region of the lake, the harvest of salt begins in early summer.
Qom Bazaar
Part of the historical texture of this city, the traditional bazaar of Qom is placed inside the historical texture of Azar Street. The traditional texture of the bazaar has been slightly changed with the new urban planning strategies, but the bazaar is still maintaining its urban position.
Dayr-e Gachin Caravanserai
Located in the northeast of Qom, Dayr-e Gachin Caravanserai is known as the mother of the caravanserais of Iran. This monument of ancient Iran was built along the Silk Road and the historical road of Ray to Qom. Registered as a national heritage of Iran, the structure of this Caravanserai goes back to the Sassanid era, being repaired during the Seljuk, Safavid, and Qajar eras.
Qom Medical View
Qom has some of the most up-to-date hospitals with state-of-the-art equipment. Qom's surgeons are some of the most qualified, and active in all medical areas. Qom has a good rank in infertility treatment. There is the capacity for using desert and the sun, herbal medicine, and being near salt and calcic caves can be used in nature therapy.
