TEHRAN - Restoration work on the southern and eastern sections of Vank Cathedral in Isfahan is underway as part of efforts to prepare the historic Armenian church for a potential nomination to UNESCO’s World Heritage List, a provincial heritage official has said.
TEHRAN - A practical training workshop on emergency conservation and restoration at the Palace of Ardashir and Qal'eh Dokhtar (“Maiden Castle”) near Firuzabad, southern Iran, has brought together heritage conservation specialists and university students to provide hands-on experience in protecting historic structures.
TEHRAN - A specialist meeting marking the 561st anniversary of the establishment of Tabriz’s Blue Mosque will explore the history of the Qara Qoyunlu dynasty and the distinctive tilework associated with its period of rule.
TEHRAN - Tucked away in the rural landscape of northern Iran, Fatatu Forest is a natural attraction in Khomam county, Gilan province, offering visitors a peaceful escape among lush vegetation, wetlands, rice fields and the landscapes of the southern Caspian coast. Recognized for its ecological importance and its surviving Hyrcanian forest vegetation, the woodland holds considerable potential for nature-based tourism, although limited visitor facilities remain a challenge.
TEHRAN - Restoration of Iran’s UNESCO-listed Chehel Sotoun palace and garden is awaiting additional funding from the government and UNESCO, as experts assess structural damage to the Safavid-era monument following a 40-day war with the US and Israeli forces, the site’s director said.
TEHRAN - Iran’s historical cities are renowned for their grand mosques, Persian gardens, traditional bazaars and Silk Road heritage. Yet beyond the familiar destinations of Isfahan, Shiraz and Yazd, to name a few, lies another side of the country: a landscape of mountain villages, ancient mud-brick settlements and rural communities whose traditions offer a different perspective on Iranian life.
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan - As an Iranian journalist visiting Tashkent, I found myself looking at the huge Islamic Civilization Center from two perspectives. I was a visitor discovering the depth of Uzbekistan’s cultural heritage. I was also an Iranian looking for familiar traces of a civilization that has never respected the borders drawn on today’s maps.
TEHRAN – With its resonant melodies and distinctive pear-shaped body, the oud has long been part of the musical traditions of Iran and the wider West Aisa. Its craftsmanship and performance, sustained through generations of makers and musicians, received international recognition in 2022 when Iran and Syria jointly inscribed the tradition on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
TEHRAN – Iran’s tourism ministry has issued a strategic and operational plan to revive the country’s tourism industry during the transition and post-war periods, with a focus on rebuilding its international tourism brand, improving competitiveness and coordinating recovery measures nationwide.
JAJARM, North Khorasan Province – With its quiet rural surroundings, historical railway station and proximity to protected natural areas, Jajarm has the potential to attract travelers seeking an affordable alternative to Iran’s busier tourist destinations. But poor railway facilities, limited train tickets and a shortage of visitor services remain major obstacles to turning that potential into a thriving tourism destination.
