Zanjan

For other uses, see Zanjan (disambiguation)

Zanjan زنجان
Caravanserai Sangi in Zanjan is a popular visitors attraction.
Seal
Zanjan
Coordinates: 36°40′N 48°29′E / 36.667°N 48.483°E / 36.667; 48.483Coordinates: 36°40′N 48°29′E / 36.667°N 48.483°E / 36.667; 48.483
Country	Iran
Province	Zanjan
Elevation	1,638 m (5,374 ft)
Population (2006)
- Total	377,387
	estimate
Time zone	IRST (UTC+3:30)
- Summer (DST)	IRST (UTC+4:30)
Website	www.Zanjan.ir

Zanjan is the capital of Zanjan Province in northwestern Iran. It is an Azeri Inhabited city. It lies 298 km (186 mi) north-west of Tehran on the main highway to Tabriz and Turkey and approximately 125 km (80 mi) from the Caspian Sea.

Zanjan is known for its beautiful handcrafts such as knives, traditional sandals, called charoogh, and malileh. Malileh is a handcraft made with silver wires. Zanjani artists make many things like various decorative dishes and their special covers as well as silver jewelry. In ancient times, Zanjan was known for its stainless and sharp knives. But this tradition is gradually becoming extinct by introduction of Chinese knives to the market which are far cheaper, more abundant and of course less artistic. Many villagers today are traditional carpet weavers. This is perhaps Zanjan's most popular handcraft.

History

Hamdollah Mostowfi, the Iranian traveler and historian, in his book claims that Zanjan was built by Ardashir I, the first king of the Sassanid Empire and named as "Shahin"^[1] . One important moment in the history of the city was in 1851 when the city became the center of Babism along with Neyriz and other cities. The forces of the central government captured the Babi's fort in Zanjan after a long siege by the order of Grand Vizir Amir Kabir and killed or expelled the Bab's followers.^[2]

Colleges and universities

Zanjan also hosts several universities such as:

• Zanjan University
• Zanjan University of Medical Sciences
• Islamic Azad University of Zanjan
• Institute for Advanced Studies in Basic Sciences (IASBS)

Photo gallery

Seyyed mosque.	Bazaar of Zanjan	Rakhtshur khaneh, (traditional laundry house of Qajar era , Zanjan's Museum of Anthropology.)	Imamzade Ibrahim's tomb.	Imamzade Ibrahim's tomb.
Zanjan University	Samovar, handcraft of Zanjan.	Saltman found in Zanjan, National Museum of Iran.	Soltaniyeh mosque, near Zanjan.	Soltaniyeh's tiles (interior designs).

Sister city

• Trabzon, Turkey

Links

• Official website of Zanjan Governorship
• Sultaniyeh Dome Official website

See also

• Seyyed Mosque
• Rakhtshooy Khaneh Edifice

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Zanjan (city)

References

1. ^ "همشهريان اردشير بابكان هنوز هم چاروق مي پوشند". rugart.org. 2008-07-30. http://www.rugart.org/doc/doc.asp?id=357. Retrieved 2008-07-30. 
2. ^ Abdu'l-Bahá, Edward Granville. "A Traveller's Narrative Written to Illustrate the Episode of the Báb", Published by Kalimat Press, 2004, ISBN 1890688371, 9781890688370

v • d • e Zanjan Province Capital Zanjan Counties and Cities Abhar County Abhar  · Sultaniyeh  · Sainghaleh  · Hedaj Eejrud County Zarrinabad  · Halab Khodabandeh County Ghaydar  · Zarrinrod  · Sajass  · Sohrevard  · Garmab Khorramdarreh County Khorramdarreh Mahneshan County Mahneshan  · Dandi Tarom County Abbor · Churzagh Zanjan County Zanjan  · Armaghankhaneh Sights Sharshar waterfall  • Zanjan Bazzar  • Rakhtshooy Khaneh Edifice  • Karsaf Tappe  • Darband ghaterchi  • Kharmaneh cave  • Katale Khor  • Behestan castle  • Soltaniyeh  • Seyyed Mosque  • Dragon temple  • Zanjan Museum  • Caspian international fair