By Afshin Majlesi

Golestan at a glance: forests, ancient monuments and Caspian landscapes

GORGAN - Golestan is one of the least visited provinces in Iran, yet for many travelers who take the time to explore it, the region may quickly become a favorite destination.

Sassanid-era inscription referring to royal festival discovered

TEHRAN — An Iranian archaeologist said a Sassanid-era inscription referring to the calendar of a royal festival has recently been discovered on rock cliffs in the Marvdasht Plain in southern Iran.

By Afshin Majlesi

An inside look at Gorgan’s tribal festival

The 17th International Festival of Tribal Culture, scheduled to take place in Gorgan, the capital of Iran’s Golestan province, from Dec. 16 to 19, is often described as a celebration. But to see it only as a cultural event is to miss its deeper significance.

By Afshin Majlesi

Sa’dabad director outlines major restoration, conservation push at former royal complex in Tehran

TEHRAN – The director of the Sa’dabad Cultural-Historical Complex says the former royal residence in northern Tehran has accelerated restoration and conservation work, completing a long-delayed digital inventory of its holdings while advancing new projects to safeguard thousands of stored objects.

National conference reviews technology use in salvage archaeology for dam projects

TEHRAN - A national conference on the use of modern science and technology in salvage archaeology for major water and energy infrastructure projects was held in Tehran on Saturday.

Elymaean rock carving discovered in southwest Iran

TEHRAN – A newly identified Elymaean rock carving has been discovered in the highlands of Kuh-e Manar in Andika, southwest Iran, according to the director of the Masjed Soleyman Cultural and Industrial Landscape National Base.

Isfahan’s Vank Cathedral draws 500,000 visitors annually, Armenian council member says

TEHRAN - About 500,000 people visit Vank Cathedral in the Armenian district of [New] Jolfa in Isfahan each year, a member of the Armenian Caliphate Council of Isfahan said on Wednesday.

Restoration work begins on centuries-old water mill

TEHRAN - Restoration and revitalization work has begun on an ancient water mill in Qaleh Bala, a touristic village in Shahrud county of Semnan province, according to the local heritage authority.

Excavations reveal secrets of seasonal pastoral camp in Hawraman Mountains

TEHRAN — Newly published findings from rescue excavations at the Bardeh Mar archaeological site in Iran’s Hawraman region are shedding fresh light on the seasonal rhythms of pastoral life during the Islamic period.

Isfahan opens intl. tourism exhibition, officials say event marks new phase in sector

TEHRAN – Officials in Iran’s central province of Isfahan said on Tuesday that the 15th Isfahan International Exhibition of Tourism, Handicrafts and Hoteling would help launch a new phase in the region’s tourism development.

‘Narrators of Ancient Iran’ extended after popular demand

TEHRAN - Due to “its great success”, the exhibition “Narrators of Ancient Iran: A Selection of Objects from the National Museum” has been extended for one month and will now remain open to the public until December 21.

Bastam added to Iran’s list of historical cities

TEHRAN - Bastam, a tourism destination near Shahroud, has recently been added to Iran’s list of historical cities during the second conference of Iran’s historical cities held in Yazd.

Iran minister says UNESCO recognition of Cyrus Charter reflects deep cultural roots of justice

TEHRAN – Iran’s minister of cultural heritage, tourism and handicrafts said the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s recognition of Cyrus the Great’s Charter demonstrates that justice has long been embedded in Iranian culture.

Needle-carved image linked to Sasanian king found in Southern Iran

TEHRAN — A needle-carved rock image believed to depict a Sasanian king has been discovered in the cliffs of the ancient city of Istakhr, located in Marvdasht Plain, an archaeologist said.

Iran to submit independent UNESCO nomination for traditional rosewater distillation

TEHRAN - Iran plans to submit its own nomination file to UNESCO to register the country’s centuries-old tradition of rosewater distillation, known as Golab-Giri, as an element of intangible cultural heritage, an Iranian official said.

UNESCO recognition of Cyrus Cylinder highlights Iran’s role in human rights, museum director says

TEHRAN – The recent UNESCO recognition of the Cyrus Cylinder as one of the earliest documents on human rights is a source of national pride and a reaffirmation of Iran’s contribution to universal human values, the director of the National Museum of Iran said on Sunday.

UNESCO recognizes Cyrus Cylinder as one of world’s earliest human rights charters

TEHRAN - UNESCO’s General Conference on Thursday adopted a resolution recognizing the Cyrus Cylinder as one of the world’s earliest declarations promoting cultural diversity and human rights.

Golestan Palace: centuries-old canal to be restored to revive Persian garden layout

TEHRAN – Restoration work on a historical water canal at Tehran’s UNESCO-listed Golestan Palace is set to begin after 13 years, as part of efforts to revive the traditional geometry of the Persian garden.

Over 1,700 caravanserais still standing across Iran, researcher says

TEHRAN – More than 1,700 caravanserais dating from the Sassanid to the Qajar periods remain across Iran, with about 60% of them still active or capable of restoration, a university researcher said.

Quranic-themed handicraft exhibit underway in Sanandaj

TEHRAN — A handicrafts exhibition showcasing various objects mainly with a Quranic theme is currently underway in Sanandaj, the capital of Kordestan province, western Iran.

Iran holds talks with Iraq on preserving ruins of Taq Kasra monument

TEHRAN - Iran has held discussions with Iraqi officials on preserving and restoring the ancient Taq Kasra monument, a major remnant of the Sassanid Empire located near Baghdad, Iran’s Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Reza Salehi-Amiri said on Saturday.

Mehregan’s UNESCO registration plaque unveiled at Persepolis

TEHRAN – A number of officials and tourism guides in Fars province unveiled the plaque marking the global registration of the ancient Celebration of Mehregan at Persepolis on Sunday.

Nahavand ancient fortress to be revived in major restoration effort

TEHRAN – The ancient fortress of Nahavand, also known as the Yazdegerd Citadel, is set to undergo restoration as part of a significant cultural heritage initiative in west-central Iran.

Fars province is the showcase of Iran’s culture and art: minister

TEHRAN — The Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts on Thursday described Fars province as the showcase of Iranian culture and art, highlighting its deep historical and civilizational significance.

‘Tehran rainbow of Iranian ethnicities, symbol of national unity’

TEHRAN — Tehran, as a symbol of cultural diversity, and national identity, holds immense potential to become one of Iran’s top cultural tourism destinations, Governor-General of Tehran said on Thursday during a visit to the historical Si-e Tir Street.

Nablus Governorate’s archaeological sites face Israeli expropriation plans

TEHRAN - In a move described by critics as a systematic effort to confiscate Palestinian heritage, the Israeli government has unilaterally declared 63 archaeological sites in the occupied West Bank as "Israeli historical and archaeological sites."

Iraq's tourism revenues jump 25% to $5.7 billion

TEHRAN – Iraq’s tourism revenues rose 25% to $5.7 billion in 2024, up from $4.6 billion the previous year, driven by a surge in religious tourism and cultural heritage visits.

Burnt City, a symbol of peaceful coexistence in ancient Iran

TEHRAN - An Iranian archaeologist has said that the UNESCO-registered Burnt City is one of the most prominent archaeological sites in Iran, reflecting one of the earliest urban societies in the history of human civilization.