West Azarbaijan tourism industry to boom

TEHRAN—Tourism industry in West Azarbaijan province will be overhauled in near future through boosting the infrastructures and exploiting the projects, said Morteza Safari, the head of West Azarbaijan Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts Department.

Salehi-Amiri: Students are main guardians of Iranian culture

TEHRAN—Iranian culture is like a bubbling spring that has been the lifeblood of this land for centuries, and it is a trust in the hands of the younger generation today, said Cultural Heritage Minister Seyyed Reza Saheli-Amiri.

UNESCO-listed Golestan Palace to reopen museums in phases from Sept. 23

TEHRAN – Golestan Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site in central Tehran, will begin reopening its museums and historic buildings in stages starting Sept. 23, the site’s director said on Sunday.

Sistan-Baluchestan needlework, symbol of Iranian authenticity, civilization

TEHRAN—Sistan-Baluchestan’s cultural heritage and handicrafts particularly the needlework made by Baloch women and girls is manifestation of beauty, creativity, and pure culture of Iran, said Fariba Kousari, the veteran actress.

Iran heritage official responds to concerns over orchestra concert at Persepolis

TEHRAN – An Iranian heritage official said on Monday that a permanent, safe venue will be designated for cultural events at Persepolis after a concert by the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra at the ancient site sparked concern among cultural heritage advocates and archaeologists.

Kordestan, a hidden treasure in west of Iran

TEHRAN—Kordestan is an area with ancient history and culture, breathtaking nature and hospitable people. It is a province which boasts soaring mountains, terraced villages, authentic Kordish music, and lasting handicrafts. It has an unparalleled capacity to attract domestic and foreign tourists.

Architectural wonders of Anahita Temple in Fars province

TEHRAN--Anahita Temple of Bishapour in Fars province has minimal decorations, but the type of architecture used for the place of worship and water transfer is amazing.

Iran pushes for UNESCO recognition of its ancient windmills

TEHRAN – Iran is seeking UNESCO World Heritage status for its centuries-old Asbads, traditional vertical-axis windmills primarily located in South Khorasan province, a senior official underlined on Saturday.

Tehran to host conference on UNESCO listing of Khorramabad Valley sites

TEHRAN – Iran’s tourism minister has said a national conference will be held in Tehran to celebrate and promote the UNESCO inscription of the Prehistoric Sites of the Khorramabad Valley, which were added to the World Heritage list in July.

‘Oldest handicrafts’ traced to Lorestan, local official says

TEHRAN – Iran’s oldest known handicrafts have been traced to its Lorestan province, according to a local official.

Iran to host intl. Lut Desert tourism conference focused on investment, sustainability

TEHRAN – An international conference on tourism in Iran’s Lut Desert will be held with a focus on investment and sustainable development, a provincial tourism official said on Wednesday.

Royal Ilkhanid cemetery unearthed near UNESCO-listed Soltaniyeh Dome

TEHRAN – Archaeologists have uncovered parts of a royal Ilkhanid cemetery adjacent to the UNESCO-listed Soltaniyeh Dome in west-central Iran, the head of the excavation team said on Sunday.

Expert calls for four-year plan to restore historic bazaar in Lar

TEHRAN - A senior regional development planning expert has proposed the development of a four-year restoration plan for the Qeysarieh Bazaar in Lar, southern Iran, involving private sector participation and non-governmental organizations.

Centuries-old qanats in Ardakan undergo restoration

TEHRAN – Restoration and rehabilitation work has begun on a series of historic qanats located in the old urban fabric of Ardakan, Yazd province, as part of a preservation initiative for the region’s ancient water infrastructure, local officials said.

Continuous human settlement in Hamedan confirmed from Achaemenid era to Present

THERAN – Archaeologists conducting excavations at the Baba Taher pedestrian pathway in Hamedan have uncovered evidence of continuous human settlement in the area dating from the Achaemenid period (circa 550–330 BC) to the present day, according to local experts.

Over 3,000 historical photographs at Golestan Palace classified in new project

TEHRAN – More than 3,000 historical photographs being kept at the UNESCO-registered Golestan Palace have been classified under an extensive new project called “Awakened Mirrors,” the palace’s director announced on Saturday.

Tourism minister visits Great Wall of Gorgan in northern Iran

TEHRAN - Iran’s tourism minister, Seyyed Reza Salehi-Amiri, paid a visit to the Great Wall of Gorgan on Thursday, where he inaugurated construction on the site’s first official visitor information center, which is regarded as a key milestone toward the wall’s eventual nomination for UNESCO World Heritage status.

Rab'-e Rashidi: restoration campaign, land acquisition drive launched

Early Islamic metallurgical complex discovered at Masouleh; strengthens revised World Heritage file

TEHRAN - A joint Iranian-Chinese archaeological team has uncovered a significant early Islamic-era settlement and a sponge iron smelting workshop at the Khanbaji Sara site within the Cultural Landscape of Masouleh in northern Iran.

Alamut Castle nears UNESCO World Heritage status, tourism minister says

TEHRAN - Iran's Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts announced on Tuesday that the historic Alamut Castle is on the verge of possibly being inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

Temple within UNESCO-listed Tchogha Zanbil restored

TEHRAN – The first phase of a specialized conservation and restoration project on the Inshushinak Temple, located on the first floor of the Tchogha Zanbil Ziggurat in Khuzestan province, has been successfully completed, a cultural heritage official announced on Monday.

Soltaniyeh, a UNESCO-listed mausoleum of the 14th century, undergoes restoration

TEHRAN – Phase two of a restoration and conservation project on the southern gate of the UNESCO-listed Soltaniyeh Dome has commenced, according to the director of the World Heritage site.

Shiraz hosts meeting on World Heritage nomination for historic mosques

TEHRAN – Shiraz hosted a two-day expert meeting focused on the potential nomination of historic mosques from 26 Iranian provinces for UNESCO World Heritage status. 

Chinese archaeologists visit Susa’s World Heritage site

TEHRAN – On Thursday, a group of Chinese archaeologists, professors, and students visited the UNESCO World Heritage site of Susa in southwest Iran, gaining insights into the region's rich history, civilization, and unique historical artifacts.

Museum dedicated to Qajar-era diplomacy opens in Tehran

TEHRAN - A new museum dedicated to diplomatic relations during the Qajar era has been inaugurated at the UNESCO-listed Golestan Palace in downtown Tehran. Among the notable exhibits on display is a historical copy of the Treaty of Finckenstein, being shown to the public for the first time.

Iran’s Shush plans sister city partnerships with Najaf, Paris, and Athens

TEHRAN – The Governor of Shush has emphasized the importance of promoting the city’s rich cultural heritage and announced plans to establish sister city partnerships with Najaf, Paris, and Athens.