Babol
Iran · Asia
About Babol
Babol is a city in the Central District of Babol County, Mazandaran province, Iran, serving as capital of both the county and the district. Babol is divided into two metropolitan areas (under Iranian law).
Founded by the Safavids in the 16th century, it was built on the site of the ancient city of Mah Mithra (great Mithra). Mithra or 'The Mediator' was believed to be the savior of creation from the threat of darkness and the one who stands between the light of Ahura Mazda and the darkness of Ahriman. Babol was formerly called Barforushdeh (meaning Market Town) and Barforush afterwards. In 1931, the founder of the Pahlavi dynasty Reza Shah (1878-1944) ordered urban planning efforts to commence in the city and changed its name to Babol, which means city with abundant water supply.
Mazandarani people have a background in Tabari ethnicity and speak Mazandarni. Their origin goes back to the Tapuri people, who were forced to migrate to the south coast of the Caspian Sea during the Achaemenid dynasty.
The native people of Sari, Shahi, Babol, Amol, Nowshahr, Chalus...
Babol travel guide
Understand
History Founded in the 16th century, it was built on the site of the ancient city of Mamatir. Babol used to be called Barforushdeh and Barforush afterwards.
Getting there
By plane: Flights from all over the world to Tehran, then from Tehran airport to Sari airport (50 min flight and then 50 km by car to Babol). By train: From Tehran's main train station to Quaemshahr train station (5 hours) then half an hour from Quaemshahr to Babol by car. By road: You can travel from Tehran to Babol in 4-5 hours directly by car or bus.
See
Palace of Abbas I's ruins. (updated Mar 2020) 1 Mohammad Hassan Khan Bridge. One of the most ancient structures of Mazandaran. It was built by the king Mohammad Hassan Khan Qajar, the ancestor of Agha Mohammad Khan Qajar as the main road from Babol to Amol. (updated Mar 2020) 2 Babol museum (موزه گنجینه بابل). (updated Mar 2020) Babol Noshirvani Park. Biggest park including playground located in the north part of Iran, located almost in the vicinity of Caspian Sea. Babol is home to important and intact forests and jungles. (updated Mar 2020)
Overview adapted from Wikipedia, travel guide fromWikivoyage (CC BY-SA)。Photography via Wikimedia Commons.