By Afshin Majlesi

How Iran’s Kordasht is a beacon for heritage tourism

JOLFA – Nestled in the tranquil landscapes of Iran’s East Azarbaijan province, the village of Kordasht serves as a living monument to history. It resonates with the courage of Iranian soldiers who defended their homeland against Tsarist Russian invasions over the decades.

Zahhak Castle’s significance to be discussed in special conference

TEHRAN – An inaugural conference on the historical and cultural significance of Zahhak Castle, will be held on December 18 in Hashtrud of East Azarbaijan province, where the ancient fortress is situated in northwest Iran.

Sassanid-era Rayen fortress undergoes restoration

TEHRAN - A new phase of restoration has commenced on the historic Rayen fortress, one of the largest ancient mud-brick structures in the world, with origins tracing back to the Sassanid era.

Qale Narin restoration breathes new life into ancient stronghold

TEHRAN - A new phase of restoration work has begun on the centuries-old Qale Narin, which is a massive mud-brick fortress in the heart of Iran.

UNESCO assessor visits prehistoric caves in Khorramabad’s valley

TEHRAN - A UNESCO assessor has visited several prehistoric caves in Khorramabad’s valley as part of an ongoing evaluation process for the inclusion of “Khorramabad’s Valley and Falak-ol-Aflak Fortress” in UNESCO’s World Heritage list.

Excavations unearth ancient layers of history at Falak ol-Aflak hill

TEHRAN – A team of archaeologists has embarked on a groundbreaking excavation project at Falak ol-Aflak hill, the site of the famed Sassanid-era fortress in Lorestan province.

37 historical forts in southeast Iran damaged by heavy rainfall

TEHRAN - Heavy rainfall in Iran’s Sistan-Baluchestan province has caused significant damage to 37 historical fortresses and structures, according to a tourism official.

Iran submits Khorramabad’s Valley and Falak-ol-Aflak Fortress for UNESCO recognition

TEHRAN – Iran has submitted a dossier on “Khorramabad's Valley and Falak-ol-Aflak Fortress” to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization for a possible registration as a World Heritage.

Centuries-old Narin fortress undergoes restoration

TEHRAN – A fresh season of restoration work has commenced on the ruins of the Narin fortress, which is a gigantic ancient mud-brick monument in the town of Meybod, central Yazd province.

UNESCO-listed Salasel castle undergoes restoration

TEHRAN - Restoration work has commenced on the UNESCO-listed Salasel castle, a significant element within the Shushtar Historical Hydraulic System situated in the southwestern Iranian city.

Fortress within UNESCO-listed Susa undergoes restoration

TEHRAN – Restoration work has commenced on a prehistorical fortress, which is part of the UNESCO-registered Susa in southwest Iran.

Expert seeks UNESCO status for Iraj fortress, calls it remarkable phenomenon of Persian architecture

TEHRAN – A cultural heritage expert has proposed the nomination of the Iraj fortress for possible inclusion in UNESCO’s cultural heritage register.

‘Strange structure’ exposed near ancient stronghold in northern Iran

TEHRAN – The remnants of a “strange structure” were discovered near Qal’eh Rudkhan days after the historical stronghold underwent restoration in northern Iran.

Qal’eh Rudkhan, a historical gem in northern Iran, undergoes restoration

TEHRAN – A restoration project has commenced on Qal’eh Rudkhan, which is a top tourist destination in northern Iran.

Iran’s priorities for UNESCO listings unveiled

TEHRAN – Iran’s Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts Minister has implicitly unveiled the country’s top four candidates for possible UNESCO registrations.

Ruins of Izadkhast fortress undergoes restoration

TEHRAN–Restoration work has commenced on the ruins of Izadkhast fortress, which served as a strategic stronghold from the Sassanid era (224 CE–651) up to the early Islamic epoch.

Archaeological work sheds new light on ruins believed to date from Urartu epoch in northwest Iran

TEHRAN – A team of archaeologists in northwest Iran has unearthed parts of a ruined fortress, which is estimated to date from the Kingdom of Urartu, an Iron Age realm once extended over the modern frontiers of Turkey, Iran, Iraq, and Armenia.

‘Dragon-bodied’ fort in southern Iran dates from Sassanid era, first archaeological dig finds

TEHRAN – A recently finished archaeological excavation on the ruins of a massive fort is southern Iran reveals the monument was initially used in Sassanid era and later during the early Islamic epoch up to the late Qajar era.

Ancient educational complex, fortress and church under urgent restoration

TEHRAN—Urgent restoration works have commenced on a number of ancient properties, including an educational complex, fortress and a church located in northwest Iran.

20 historical structures in Bushehr undergo restoration

TEHRAN – A selection of 20 historical sites, including mud-brick mosques and fortresses, have undergone restoration across Bushehr province in southwest Iran.

Sassanid fortress to undergo rooftop restoration

TEHRAN – Rooftop restoration is to commence on Qale Falak-ol-Aflak, a Sassanid era (224–651) fortress, which stands tall in Khorramabad, western Iran.

Tourism minister visits 11th-century Alamut fortress

TEHRAN – On Tuesday, Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Minister Ezzatollah Zarghami paid a visit to the ancient Alamut fortress, which belonged to the Ismaili leader, Hasan ibn Sabbah, in the 11th century.

Manujan fortress undergoes restoration

TEHRAN – A fresh restoration work has commenced on the ruins of the Manujan fortress, which is located in an ancient town of the same name in Kerman province.

Sightseers visit Mehriz old fortresses on package tours

TEHRAN – Mehriz tourism office has organized package tours of ancient fortresses, which stand tall across the ancient Iranian city.

Shahr-e Yeri, nicknamed ‘City of the Mouthless’, to open to public

TEHRAN – Shahr-e Yeri, a unique archaeological site nicknamed ‘City of the Mouthless’ in northwest Iran, will be open to the public in the near future.