Hamadan, ancient Ecbatana, is the capital of Hamadan province, west-central Iran. Located at the northeastern foot of Mount Alvand. The city dominates the wide fertile plain of the upper Qareh Sū River. Hamedan (Hamadan) is one of the ancient cities in Iran offering several historical and natural attractions to world travelers. Many historians consider this city the capital of Iranian history and civilization.
The situation of Hamedan in terms of climatic and natural status which has made it suitable for agricultural and pastoralism has long caused the region to be the place of establishment and development of ancient civilizations. The oldest Ashurian inscriptions are called Hamedan as Ocasia, which means the city of Cassian, which shows that the province's central civilization dates back to the third millennium BC.
Archaeological excavations in the Godin and Cegavi mountains near Kangavar, as well as Nooshijan in Malayer, have revealed parts of the culture and the life of the Medes people at this time. These include the first examples of scripts, early forms of coins, and the earliest examples of Iranian religious culture and architecture.
Historical Attractions of Hamadan
Hunting places of Achaemenian kings
Achaemanian dynasty had authority over more than half of the ancient world and Hegmataneh was one of the two capitals of this imperial world 2500 years ago. Darius, I craved his second inscription of the posterity, after the inscription of Bisotun, on the rocks of the Holy Al-Wondwokh. The inscriptions are written in 3 columns of 20 lines in the languages of "ancient Persian", "Elamite" and "Babylonian". This beautiful monument is located 5 km southwest of the historic city of Hamedan and hosts historians, archeologists, and nature enthusiasts.
Tomb of Baba Taher
The tomb of Baba Taher Oryan goes back to the contemporary era. Located on a raised ground in the northwest of Hamedan city, this monument is a memorial to Baba Taher who was one of the great poets and mystics of his time.
Ecbatana Historical Mound
Ecbatana is the name of an ancient city, which was the capital of Iran during the reign of the Medes. This city along with Athens and Rome are among the few ancient cities in the world that are still alive. According to the historical documents, Deioces founded Ecbatana City.
Qorban Tower
Qorban Tower is one of the historical monuments of the 13th or 14th century. It is located in the Zand neighborhood of Hamedan, between Chahar Baq-e Shahid Madani and Taleqani Street, near Avicenna High School. This building accommodates the tombs of Shaikh ol-Salam Hassan bin Attar Hafiz Abu al-‘Ala Hamedani and a group of Seljuk emirs.
Tomb of Esther and Mordechai
The burial place of Esther and Mordechai is one of the exclusive historical attractions of Hamedan and the shrines of the Jews of Iran and the world. This shrine was an important factor in the formation and continuation of the Jewish community in Hamedan.
Hamedan Traditional Bazaar
This historical market of the city is located near Baba Taher, Ekbatan, and Shohada Streets. Most of the Bazaar buildings date back to the Qajar period. The traditional Hamedan Bazaar is roofed and some parts have dome-shaped roofs.
Museum of Natural History of Hamedan
Hamedan Museum of Natural History is located at the end of Chahar Baq Street. There is a unique collection of various species of animals, plants, and natural varieties related to the climate of Iran and the world.
Stone Lion Statue of Hamedan
The relic of the Stone Lion statue is an interesting piece remaining from ancient times. It is in a quadrangular square where a lion-shaped statue is placed on a pedestal.
Conclusion
Hamadan, located in western Iran, is believed to be among the oldest Iranian cities. It was possibly known as Bit Daiukki to the Assyrians, Hangmatana or Agbatana to the Medes, and Ecbatana to the Greeks. The city served as one of the Median capitals and later became a capital for the Achaemenian Dynasty. Hamadan has a rich history of being a home to great thinkers and artists of the Islamic period. It was also the site of a royal summer palace under Cyrus II and later Achaemenian rulers. Despite being destroyed by the Mongols around 1220 and sacked by Timur in 1386, the city was partly restored in the 17th century. Today, Hamadan is a major tourist center with attractions like the Ganj Nameh inscription, the Avicenna monument, and the Baba Taher monument.