Zanjan

About Zanjan: City of Carpet History

As the capital of the Zanjan province, Zanjan City is located in a mountainous area. The uneven lands of this city are divided into north & south mountains. Due to the city’s position on the Iran-Europe transitway and how it connects the west and northwest of Iran, Zanjan is a valuable city. The city is home to one of the biggest and most famous Islamic buildings in Iran, Soltaniyeh. Soltanieh Dome is registered on the UNESCO global heritage list.

Ghezel Ozan and Zanjan Rud are the famous rivers of this city. Zanjan Rud River bridges are also historic symbols of Iranian-Islamic architecture. Zanjan people speak Turki in the Zanjani dialect. The city’s foundation dates back to the Sassanid era. Reconstructed during the Safavid era, the city had a lot of ups and downs throughout history.

About the Climate of Zanjan

Due to the climate diversity of the city, you can experience all four seasons in this area. Zanjan province has mostly cold weather. For experiencing Zanjan in the best weather be sure to visit during spring or summer. Zanjan's winters often include snowfall. 

Zanjan World Heritage Sites

Zanjan city is located in the north-west of Iran, hosting Soltanieh Dome which is one of the UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Soltanieh Dome

This mausoleum of Oljaytu was constructed in Soltaniyeh city, which was the capital of the Ilkhanid dynasty from 1302 to 1312. Soltaniyeh historical dome is the largest brick dome in the world. Soltanieh is an outstanding example of Persian-Islamic architecture. The 50-meter-long dome is covered in turquoise-blue faience and surrounded by 8 slender minarets. As the earliest existing example of the double-shelled dome in Iran, the mausoleum’s interior decoration is also outstanding. The building has been described as ‘anticipating the Taj Mahal’. For the first time in the architectural history of the world, two-shelled domes were invented here. Following Florence Santa Maria Cathedral and Istanbul Hagia Sophia, The Soltaniyeh brick dome is the third tallest dome in the world.

Attractions of Zanjan

The Bazaar of Zanjan

The construction of the bazaar of Zanjan was completed during Aqa Mohammad Khan. Zanjan’s bazaar is in the form of a straight line, cutting the bazaar into east and west parts. This is the longest bazaar in Iran. Qajar period’s decoration styles can be seen in the rows, shops, mosques, bathrooms, and caravansaries. Regarding the type of activities and production you’re looking for, there are 8 rows including goldsmiths, shoemakers, drapers, and saddlers.

Jame Mosque

Jame Mosque, also known as Seyed Mosque, is located on Imam Street in the center of the historical texture of Zanjan. As one of the valuable and historical buildings of Zanjan, this mosque was constructed by the ruler, Abdullah Mirza - grandson of Fath Ali Shah Qajar. The building serves as a mosque and a school. On the west and east of these porches, 16 symmetrical rooms are built for the students of religious sciences.

Rakht Shooy Khaneh (Washhouse)

Located in the heart of the historical texture of Zanjan, the monument was built based on the old city’s wall. Due to the cold weather in winter, this building was created for women to wash their clothes, although the usage of a public building is unique in the world. The washhouse building’s architecture can be attributed to the late Qajar and early Pahlavi periods. Nowadays this building is turned into a museum in which a variety of costumes, accessories, tools, and equipment used by women have been exhibited for public visits.

Salty Men of Zanjan

All 6 mummies which were discovered in the Chehr Abad salt mine in Zanjan during the winter of 1993 were named “Salt Men”. Among the findings, there were 2 bodies, one of a woman and the other a teenager. Some of these bodies date back to the Achaemenid era (400 BC) and some to the late Sassanid period (400 to 600 BC). These salty men remain and are now kept in Zolfaqari Mansion in Zanjan.

Zanjan Medical View

Zanjan has some of the most up-to-date hospitals with state-of-the-art equipment. Zanjan’s surgeons are some of the most qualified, and active in all medical areas. Zanjan province is active in all medical areas. Zanjan's treatment centers offer specialized infertility treatment services.