Zanjan (city)

For other uses, see Zanjan (disambiguation)

Zanjan is the capital of Zanjan Province in northwestern Iran. It lies 298 km (186 mi) north-west of Tehran on the main highway to Tabriz and Turkey and approximately 125 km (80 mi) from the Caspian Sea.

Zanjan is famous for its seedless grapes. The province lies 330 km northwest of Tehran, connected to it via a freeway.

Zanjan is known for its beautiful handcrafts such as knives, traditional sandals called charoogh and malileh. Malileh is a handcraft made with silver wires. Zanjani artists make many things like various decorative dishes and their special covers as well as silver jewelry. In ancient times, Zanjan was known for its stainless and sharp knives. But this tradition is gradually becoming extinct by introduction of Chinese knives to the market which are far cheaper, more abundant and of course less artistic. Many villagers today are traditional carpet weavers. This is perhaps Zanjan's most popular handcraft.

history

Hamdollah Mostowfi iran historian in his book and claimed that zanjan was build by Ardashir I first king Sassanid Empire and named as "Shahin" . One important momemnt in the history of the city was in 1851 when the city became the center of Babism along with Neyriz and other cities. The federal forces captured the babi's fort in Zanjan after a long siege by the order of Grand Vizir Amir Kabir and killed or expeled the Bab's followers.