Zanjan City
Situated in northwestern Iran, Zanjan, the capital city of Zanjan Province, is a mountainous and hilly city with different climates and vegetation and abundant with forests and pastures. Zanjan city was a major city in pre-historic Azerbaijan. In the past, Zanjan's name was Khamseh, which means "province with five tribes".
Conquered by the Muslims in the 7th century and having a vivid record in civilization, culture, arts and sciences probably dating back to the Sassanian period, Zanjan has experienced both glory and hardship.
Of the most significant historical sites in this city, Soltaniyeh Dome, this UNESCO heritage site, the third largest brick dome in the world, Caravanserai Sangi, the Safavid unique site now a traditional restaurant and Rakhtshurkhaneh, the traditional Qajari era laundry house now being used as Zanjan anthropological museum lying at the historical texture of the city are well worth a visit. The congregational mosque of Zanjan and the city’s ancient bazaar are also among the places of interest.
Zanjan is known for its beautiful handcrafts such as knives, traditional sandals, called charoogh, and malileh, a handcraft made with silver wires as well as various decorative dishes and traditional carpets which are considered as the valuable souvenirs. Originating near the city of Soltaniyeh, the Zanjan-rood (the Zanjan River) and its banks with large orchards and natural forests provides pleasant recreational places for visitors.
To the north of the province, there is the Tarom Valley with a moderate climate and overlooking the Ghizil Ozan river. The climate in Zanjan is characterized by hot, dry summers and cold, snowy winter in the mountains and moderate in the plains.
The towns located at the foothills of high mountains such as Takht-e-soleyman, Taleghan, and Kooh-e-Rostam offers plenty of attractions to mountain-climbers.
Also the city has the best indoor sport climbing walls in Enghelab sports complex providing standard speed climbing walls. The existence of natural caves such as Kataleh-Khor in Khoda-bandeh to the east of Zanjan attracts many visitors every year. In winter, the Papa’e ski resort is covered with snow for three months offering skiers an opportunity to enjoy themselves.
