CAVE IN ZANJAN:

The extensive Katale Khor cave system, rated by locals as the best in western Iran, is 150km south of Zanjan, off the Soltaniyeh–Hamadan road near Garmab. Less touristed than the more famous Ali Sadr caves, which it…

MOUNTAIN IN ZANJAN:

Colourful Mountains

Similar to the 'painted deserts' of outback Australia and badlands America, but on a much larger scale, these incredibly coloured hills are visible to anyone travelling between Tabriz and Zanjan in daylight. Banded …

MUSEUM IN ZANJAN:

Zanjan Archaeology Museum

The archaeology museum is home to four of the fascinating 'Saltmen' mummies discovered over the years in the Chehrabad Salt Mine (now an archaeological site). The effect of the salt and the extremely dry air of the …

CASTLE IN ZANJAN:

Behestan Castle

This wild-looking, incredibly eroded, cave-ridden mesa soars above (or, more accurately, falls into) the Qezel Owzan river in the ribbed and riven badlands 120km northwest of Zanjan. Reduced to a collection of totte…

BAZAAR IN ZANJAN:

Zanjan Bazaar

This intriguing long, narrow, mostly brick-vaulted bazaar hides abandoned caravanserai, subterranean chaykhanehs (teahouses), historic mosques and just about every homeware and personal accoutrement you can think of…

STATUE IN ZANJAN:

Soravardi’s Bust

Philosopher Soravardi’s bust can be seen on a library wall. The 1851 Baha’i massacres were perpetrated in lanes behind the wall.

MOSQUE IN ZANJAN:

Hosseiniyeh Mosque

This beautiful mosque dedicated to Hossein catches the setting sun perfectly from its western face. It's off Ferdosi St.

MOSQUE IN ZANJAN:

Masjed-e Jameh

Madraseh cells line the inner courtyard of this sizeable 1826 mosque, accessed through a spired portal on Imam St.

ISLAMIC SHRINE IN ZANJAN:

Seyyed Ibrahim Shrine

A delicate shrine to Seyyed Ibrahim set inside peaceful grounds right in the centre of the city.

MOSQUE IN ZANJAN:

Khanum Mosque

Hidden in a back lane, this cute mosque has a pair of pepper-grinder-like turrets. To find it, head north up Ferdosi St from Sabz Sq, then turn left into the car park and head up the laneway. A few more turns and yo…

MUSEUM IN ZANJAN:

Rakhatshor-Khaneh

A traditional Qajar subterranean wash house full of female mannequins, in the clothing of the era, showing how it used to be done. There's also a small garden courtyard and an above-ground workshop where people make…

MOSQUE IN ZANJAN:

Rasul-Ullah Mosque

Grandly tiled, the mosque's dome and minaret appear best at dawn and dusk, when they're framed by the giant revolutionary 'organ-pipes' monument of Enqelab Sq.

BRIDGE IN ZANJAN:

Mir Baha-e Din Bridge

This attractive three-arched Qajar bridge over the Zanjan Rud river is visible west of the road to Bijar, southwest of the railway station.