Zanjan
Iran · Asia
About Zanjan
Zanjan is a city in the Central District of Zanjan County, Zanjan province, Iran, serving as capital of the province, the county, and the district. Zanjan is situated among provinces where Azerbaijani, Kurdish, and Persian languages are predominantly spoken, resulting in a distinctive demographic and linguistic composition.
Zanjan's population boasts the highest level of happiness among the people of 30 other provinces in Iran, according to a detailed survey conducted by Isna.
According to the Nuzhat al-Qulub of the 14th-century Iranian geographer Hamdallah Mustawfi (died after 1339/40), Zanjan was said to have been founded by the first Sasanian ruler Ardashir I (r. 224–242), who named it "Shahin." During the Arab invasion of Iran, Zanjan was conquered in 645 by a force led by al-Barra ibn Azib. Medieval geographers generally agree that Zanjan was located in the region of Jibal/Persian Iraq, near the frontier of the neighbouring region of Azerbaijan. Some geographers also include Zanjan as part of Daylam or Ray.
After 833, the Abbasid Caliphate had a chain of forts constructed from Zanjan to Ardabil to counter the 817–837 rebellion...
Zanjan travel guide
Understand
Azerbaijani or Azeri, a Turkic dialect, is the primary language spoken by most Zanjanis, although many people, especially the younger generation, can communicate in Farsi and English up to some level.
Getting there
There are multiple daily trains from Tehran heading for Tabriz. Two trains a week are from Van in Turkey, with connections from Ankara. 1 Zanjan railway station (ایستگاه راه آهن بین المللی زنجان) is by the river south edge of city centre. 2 Zanjan Airport (JWN IATA). Flights from Mashhad
See
Qavazang complex (گاوازنگ) : Hiking area and beautiful sunset view The dome of Soltaniyeh: Historical dome and one of the largest brick domes in the world 1 Jāmeh Mosque of Zanjān. (updated Jul 2018) 2 Caravanserai Sangi. 3 Rakhtshurkhaneh. It is a traditional Qajari era laundry house and is today Zanjan's Museum of Anthropology. Historical Edifice of Rakhtshooy Khaneh which in means Wash-house lies at the historical texture of the Zanjan city and it was built in the early 20th century. This place was used for washing clothes by women around the city.It was constructed by brothers Mashad Akbar and Mashadi Esmail. This historic building is being used as Zanjan anthropological museum.
Do
Zanjan is known for having one of the best indoor sport climbing walls in the Middle East. It is located in Enghelab sports complex. The beautiful Katale (Catale) Khor cave is near here. The landscape outside the city is very beautiful. Soltaniyeh (40 km southeast of Zanjan), a town famous for the dome and mausoleum of the 14th century ruler Il-khan Öljeitü. They have been listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
Buy
Zanjan is famous for its :
Knives Handmade copper products Traditional sandals
Eat
Foods that you can eat in Zanjan:
chaqur-Baqur Aush Haleem Shirini (Sweets) Best places to eat:
Sadaf restaurant (1st branch) Etminan restaurant Chaqur-baqur in Grand Bazar Fard confectionery Yashar confectionery Jalil Khani ice-cream Garage fast food
Overview adapted from Wikipedia, travel guide fromWikivoyage (CC BY-SA)。Photography via Wikimedia Commons.