Shahroud County, The Small Continent

Miras Arya: The climatic diversity of Shahroud County is so evident that the shortest distance from desert to forest is located in this county. By traveling a short distance of about 45 kilometers from Shahroud towards the north, we reach the Hyrcanian forests of Abr with the most beautiful landscapes, and by traveling the same distance towards the south, we reach the desert and the beauties of the Chah Jam region, and finally to Taroud and its palm groves, where the people of that region are engaged in camel husbandry. This climatic diversity, along with the diversity of different ethnic and linguistic groups, has created features and capabilities for tourism development in this county. Shahroud, located between the Tehran-Mashhad route and adjacent to the central and northern provinces of the country, is known as one of Iran's ecotourism centers. This county possesses unique capabilities in various fields of tourism, including historical, spiritual, and natural tourism. Historical Background Within the expanse of Shahroud County, there are historical mounds with very ancient origins, including the historical mound of Deh Kheyr in Bastam district, dating back to the 8th millennium BC (ten thousand years), the "Sang Chakhmagh" mound in Bastam, dating back to the 5th to 7th millennium BC, the Khorian mound, and others. The historical depth of settlement in the Shahroud region, based on archaeologists' speculations and excavations, reaches back to a thousand years BC. The artifacts obtained from the excavations of Shahroud's historical mounds are evidence of this claim. Based on existing historical evidence and documents, the initial core of Shahroud city was built on low hills in the northern and western foothills of Shahroud for defense against invaders and gradually developed with the establishment of security. According to some historical references in texts and some archaeological and architectural evidence inside and outside the current city, the route of caravans traveling the east-west highway (Silk Road) passed through Shahroud. At the same time, the presence of post stations and caravanserais turned Shahroud into one of the important settlement centers in the region. Accordingly, the oldest surviving building in Shahroud city is attributed to the Ilkhanid period. Handicrafts Felt making in the village of Abrasaj, weaving of Glitch, Jajim, and Chogha (a type of woolen fabric) in Majn city, wood carving, making traditional musical instruments, Kilim weaving, semi-precious stone carving, ceramic art in Shahroud and Abrasaj, Shahroud pottery, carpet painting, tile mosaic, wood turning (an old technique of Shahroud city), and traditional embroidery are recognized as active fields in this area. The ceramic industry of this city is of particular importance. Other handicrafts of the county include traditional handwoven items from Kalateh Khij city, broom weaving by the women of Taroud village, and needlework by the women of the Khartouran desert region. Kalateh Khij city was also registered as the National City of Traditional Handwoven Items last year. Souvenirs The most important souvenirs of Shahroud include Qaisi (dried apricots), apricot kernels, nougat and candy, various local breads, and grapes, which are exported due to their quality and variety. Historical Sites and Tourist Attractions Shahroud Museum The Shahroud Museum building was constructed in 1306-1307 SH (1927-1928 AD) as the municipality building. This building is registered under number 1888 in the list of national monuments of Iran. After renovation and restoration, this building began its activities for researchers and visitors in February 1989. This museum has a collection of historical, cultural, archaeological, and anthropological artifacts. The museum building is constructed in the architectural style of the late Qajar and early Pahlavi periods. The Shahroud Museum is a provincial museum, so efforts have been made to keep the objects and artifacts of each section separate and on display for visitors. The archaeology section of the museum is on the ground floor and includes four rooms and a corridor, containing artifacts related to the pre-Christian era, prehistoric periods, Islamic period artifacts, and more. The anthropology section of this museum includes tools for production and techniques, animal husbandry, agriculture, clothing, bread-making techniques, jewelry, handwoven items, documents and deeds, tools and equipment for Ta'zieh (passion play) performance, traditional medicine, and images of people's activities and lives, and anthropology, which have been collected from various aspects of people's lives in the villages. In the clothing section of the Shahroud Museum, various women's clothing items are displayed, including women's coats (Kelijeh), skirts, embroidered hats, headscarves, woolen socks, and embroidered shirts. Among the Ta'zieh performance tools and equipment in this section are armor, shields, helmets, etc. Among the very beautiful images in this section is a Darvish scroll with 32 illustrated stories and 400 human and animal figures, painted in oil on canvas, which was painted in Kashmar in 1340 SH (1961 AD). Bastam Historical Complex This valuable complex includes artifacts from the 3rd century AH (9th century AD) onwards and is located next to the tomb of "Abu Yazid Tayfur bin Isa bin Surushan Bastami," known as Sultan al-Arifin, one of Iran's renowned mystics of the 3rd century AH. The distinguishing features of this complex are the presence of 17 buildings together with different historical periods (8 periods): Atiq (early 3rd century AH), Buyid, Seljuk, Ilkhanid, Timurid, Safavid, Qajar, and Pahlavi. The first building dates back to the lifetime of Bayazid Bastami, a small mosque beneath the second mosque of Bayazid and next to the shrine of Imamzadeh Mohammad (AS). The Bayazid Bastami complex includes the Bayazid Khaneqah, Safavid Portico, Bastam Minaret, Bayazid Bastami Mosque, Bastam Grand Mosque, Imamzadeh Mohammad, Kashaneh Tower, Ghazan Khan Dome, Shahrokhieh School, and more. The Grand Mosque is located south of the Bastam historical complex and is one of Ghazan Khan's constructions. This building was constructed between 700 and 706 AH (1300-1306 AD). Its prayer halls are built in the western and northern parts, and in the Qajar era, the eastern prayer hall is annexed to the mosque. The Kashaneh Tower was built simultaneously with the Grand Mosque in the southeastern part, connected to it as a tower and a tomb. Ghazan Khan bequeathed it to his son, and there is no grave in its crypt. Its height is 20 meters from the inside and 24 meters from the outside. Its geometric shape is decagonal from the inside and thirty-sided with fins from the outside, built perpendicularly. On its entrance arch, the date of mid-Shawwal, year 700 AH, and the name Muhammad bin Ahmad Semnani are inscribed, and decorative plasterwork is visible on both sides of the door. The Bastam historical complex is registered in the list of World Heritage of Islam. Shrine of Sheikh Abolhassan Kharghani Ali bin Ja'far or Ali bin Ahmad Kharghani was one of the great Sufi masters. He was born in Kharqan and passed away in the same region. The current building of the shrine was constructed by the National Heritage Society and is adorned with bricks and tile decorations. What remains of the ancient shrine building is its beautiful mihrab, decorated with exquisite stucco work. This mihrab is located in the southwest of the building. The Sheikh Abolhassan Kharghani complex has a library, accommodation suites, and recreational areas. The shrine building of this renowned mystic of the 4th and 5th centuries AH is located 24 kilometers north of Shahroud County, in the village of Qaleh Now Kharqan. Abar World Forest The Abar region is located 40 kilometers northeast of Shahroud County. This region, known as the Abar forests, is mainly characterized by grasslands or wooded pastures at higher altitudes and forests with diverse species at lower elevations. The Abar forest of Shahroud is Iran's second natural site on the World Heritage list after the Lut Desert and one of the most beautiful and pleasant forests in the world, located adjacent to the tourist village of Abar. It is famous by this name because the forest is often covered by a layer of clouds. To reach the forest, one must pass through the village of Abar. Olang Forest The Olang forest is located 85 kilometers north of Shahroud and in the northern watershed of the country. The most important landscape of the region is the presence of forests with a combination of different and diverse tree species, which are particularly usable in spring and summer. The high-altitude forests, easy access to the forest environment, and the diversity of animal species and tree species are important tourism advantages of this region. Qatari Forest The Qatari region is located in the Bastam district of Shahroud County, between Olang Forest and Abar Forest. The best way to access it is via the road to the tourist village of Abar, on the route to Imamzadeh Mohammad Saravin Qatari. Due to its location in a mountainous region, this area has a cold and temperate mountainous climate. Majn and Dastan Gorge Waterfall Majn city is located 35 kilometers northwest of Shahroud in a mountainous region. The famous Dastan Gorge is located 10 kilometers from Majn city and 45 kilometers from Shahroud. Due to the location of this area in a mountainous region at an altitude of about 2,000 meters above sea level, the climate and weather of the region are suitable for tourists in spring, summer, and early autumn. Turan Biosphere Reserve The Turan complex consists of three parts: National Park (8%), Wildlife Refuge (17%), and Protected Area (75%). This region is located south of the Tehran-Mashhad road, northeast of the Dasht-e Kavir, west of the Khartouran region, and east of the Taroud region. This complex is the second largest protected area under the management of the Environmental Protection Organization after the Naybandan Wildlife Refuge. Khartouran is nicknamed the "Africa of Iran." This region is the second biosphere reserve in the world, located 140 kilometers southeast of Shahroud and 28 kilometers southeast of Biarjomand city, in the central north of Iran's desert. Qaleh Bala Tourist Village and the Givor-Dezian Tourism Axis The tourist village of Qaleh Bala is located adjacent to the Turan Biosphere Reserve. This area is located southeast and 13 kilometers from Biarjomand city. The historical texture and architecture of the village, which is terraced, provide a basis for the presence of domestic and foreign tourists. ... The villages of Givor, Dezian, and Qaleh Ahmad are located in the vicinity of the tourist village of Qaleh Bala and the tourism axis, where valuable historical buildings such as a water mill, a bathhouse, etc., can also be observed. Khosh Yeylaq The Khosh Yeylaq Wildlife Refuge is located northeast of Shahroud County. This region is among the first protected areas in Iran and has been designated as a wildlife refuge since 1985. Farahzad Tash and Haft Rang Spring The Farahzad Tash region and Haft Rang Spring are located within the jurisdiction of Shahroud County and in the Alborz Central mountain range, north of the county. Due to abundant water and green pastures, agriculture and animal husbandry form the main occupation of the people. Haft Rang Spring has been of interest to the local people since ancient times due to the beauty of its springs and its therapeutic properties. The name Farahzad is due to the greenery of the region's farms and gardens, and the name Haft Rang Spring is due to the springs that, by passing through various minerals, appear in different colors. Taroud Region The Taroud desert region of Shahroud, which hosts the largest palm grove in northeastern Iran, along with beautiful and scenic desert dunes of Chah Jam and the beautiful and scenic heights of the Pir-e Mardān tomb in this desert section, displays another aspect of the Almighty's power. This village is located 125 kilometers south of Shahroud County on the Shahroud-Me'mdan-Isfahan axis and in the Central Desert region of Iran. The presence of sand dunes (desert ripples) in this region and its proximity to the Chah Jam region and the salt lake are among the natural tourist attractions of the county. Rezaabad Tourist Village The Rezaabad tourist region has rare and unique animal and plant species. This region is located southeast of Biarjomand city and north of the Central Desert of Iran. Two rare natural attractions in this region are the desert dunes and the adjacent mountains, where the tourist village of Rezaabad, with its special desert architecture (domed roofs), is formed between the dunes and the mountains. Bazaar The Shahroud Bazaar is one of the historical and large bazaars of the province, located in the center of Shahroud city. The history of this bazaar dates back to the Qajar era. In addition to the main aisle, the Shahroud Bazaar has three souqs (market sections), four souqs, and several caravanserais, water reservoirs, bathhouses, and schools, and holds a special economic position in Shahroud. Yaghmaeiha House This house, remaining from the beautiful houses of old Shahroud, is located on Tehran Street, 8th شهریور (Bahram) Street, and was built in 1925 AD. This building is unique in the county in terms of traditional architectural features. The plan is a central courtyard, and the house entrance is in the southern part, connected to the courtyard by a corridor (Dalan). This historical house has a windcatcher, a water house, guest rooms, an iwan, and a water reservoir. Sheikh Ali Akbar Mosque The Sheikh Ali Akbar Mosque of Shahroud is one of the most prominent historical buildings in Shahroud, which has remained from the past on Shahid Sadoughi Street (Mazar). The history of this mosque dates back to the mid-Qajar era. The founder of this mosque was the late Hajj Sheikh Ali Akbar in 1274 AH (1857 AD). A feature of this mosque is the presence of four mihrabs in different parts, one in the dome chamber and the rest in the prayer halls of the mosque. Shahroud Grand Mosque This building is a single-iwan mosque dating back to the Ilkhanid period. This mosque consists of several prayer halls. Its materials are raw mud bricks covered with straw-mud plaster and gypsum. The Shahroud Grand Mosque is particularly simple and without decoration and is located opposite the historical texture of Shahroud on Masjid-e Jame Street. Zanjiri Tekyeh The Zanjiri Tekyeh building consists of two parts: a renovated section and an old building. This building is located north of Shahroud city in the old texture of the city. The remaining part of the old building includes a central courtyard surrounded by numerous rooms on the ground floor. The courtyard has two entrances, north and south. The Shahneshins (royal seats) are located a few steps above the first floor on the north and south entrances. A metal chain, an alloy of iron, possibly from old ships' anchors, is placed on two plane trees and two metal bases. The roof covering the courtyard, an element of the architecture of Qajar-era Tekyehs (like Tekyeh Dowlat), is placed on the chain during mourning periods. Baranji Tekyeh and Water Museum The Hosseiniyeh building is two-storied, symmetrically located on both sides of the Hosseiniyeh courtyard. The entrance portal of the Hosseiniyeh remains in its old form and is architecturally significant. The entrance of the Hosseiniyeh includes three arched corridors. The ceiling of the large corridor is architecturally significant. The wooden doors of the corridors, especially the main door, with their arched portals, have a special splendor. The specialized Water Museum has been established in this Hosseiniyeh by the caretaker of the complex and is visited by enthusiasts.