Qazvin has been referred to by various names throughout history. In ancient European writings, it was called "Arsas" or "Arsasia," while Greek historians mentioned it as "Razhya," and during the Parthian (Ashkanian) era, it was known as "Ardia." The Sassanids referred to it as "Kashvin." Some have called it "Qasvin," meaning "the city of strong and resilient people." According to some historians, it was also known as "Kaspian," as the Kaspian tribes migrated from the region around the Mazandaran Sea to the Qazvin plains. These tribes lived alongside the native inhabitants, while some moved further into central Iran. As a result, the Caspian Sea has also been referred to as Bahr al-Qazvin, or the Qazvin Sea.
Historical background
According to historical records, Qazvin dates back to the Median era in the 9th century BC. At that time, the southern and southwestern mountainous regions of present-day Qazvin were considered part of the Median territories, which were invaded by various nations, including the Assyrians and the Kasiha. Buin Zahra, located in the south of Qazvin, was inhabited by human communities as early as the 4th and 5th millennia BC.
The original foundations of Qazvin are attributed to Shapur Zol-Aktaf, a Sassanid ruler. Shapur established Qazvin by building forts, organizing defenses, and stationing his army there to repel invasions. Over time, his military outpost evolved into a permanent settlement, forming the nucleus of the city. Due to its strategic location, Qazvin served as a vital passageway to Tabarestan and the Mazandaran (Caspian) Sea.
Following the Arab invasion of Iran and the onset of the Islamic conquest, Qazvin was besieged by Bara Ibn Azeb, a prominent Arab commander. During the Islamic era, Qazvin became a military base for future Arab operations. In 192 Hijri (808 AD), the Abbasid Caliph Harun al-Rashid visited Qazvin, expanded the city, and commissioned the construction of the Jame Mosque.
The famous Persian traveler Naser Khosrow described Qazvin in his travelogue written in 438 Hijri (1046 AD):
“…there were plenty of gardens, with no walls or barriers to enter them, and I saw Qazvin as a pleasant city with good bazaars, though the water supply was limited. The city was under Alavid rule.”
From the late 5th century until the invasions under Hulagu Khan, Qazvin was deeply influenced by the activities of the Isma'ili movement, including those led by Hassan Sabbah and his followers. The Safavid era marked a significant transformation for the city. When Shah Tahmasb chose Qazvin as the capital, many important buildings and monuments were constructed.
Later, during the Qajar era, Tehran was selected as the capital due to its strategic importance on the road connecting Iran to Europe and Russia.
Some Facts about Qazvin
Qazvin was selected as the capital of the Safavid era following the numerous historical challenges during the time of Shah Tahmasb. Moreover, it has been the capital of Iran for 50 to 57 years.
-Qazvin has a climate of both high altitude and vast plains. Therefore, the weather is relatively cool
and cold and the humidity is low. The average temperature of Qazvin in warm days is 31 ° C and the average temperature in cold days is - 2° C
- There are 20 cities in Qazvin Province and Qazvin is located in the center of the province.
- Qazvin has a population of about 600 thousand people.
- The first railway line reached Qazvin in 1939 AD.
- Today, Qazvin is considered as one of the industrialized and developed areas in Iran. The first industrial city of the country was built in 1967 named "Alborz". Major copper, lead, zinc and gypsum are among the exploited mines in this area.
- Qazvin has long been a cradle of cultivating the calligraphers of the Country. This has led Qazvin to be called the "Capital of Calligraphy” of Iran". There are major calligraphy events in this City each year in addition to the permanent Museum of Calligraphy in Qazvin.
- Many historical mansions and monuments can be found in Qazvin. The "Chehelsotun Palace" (the only palace left from Safavid era), the "Sepahdar Garden" and the municipality are considered as historical monuments of Qazvin.
- Qazvin can be considered as the "city of water reservoirs". Due to the geographical location, hundreds cisterns are built in this area. The world's largest single-horned water reservoir named "Sardar Bozorg" is located in Qazvin in the 12th century.
- Sepah Street is the first Iranian designed street which was constructed during Shah Tahmasb Safavid era and was paved in Reza Shah's period in 1967 and became a modern street. In 2008, it became the first modern Iranian street.
- Qazvin has some castles in its suburbs. Alamut is in the northeast of Qazvin. This area is considered as Qazvin's tourist area by its beautiful and historical nature.
- Qazvin has the most historical monuments (more than 1300) in the country and it is famous for the paradise of various architectural styles in Iran.
- Qazvin Province is one of the largest suppliers of food productions and agriculture to the capital and is ranked among the five provinces that bring the most wealth through production to the country's treasury. In one word, Qazvin is one of the richest provinces in the country.
Qazvin, is located in north-central Iran in a wide, fertile plain at the southern foot of the Alburz Mountains. Located in 150 km (93 mi) northwest of Tehran, in the Qazvin Province, it is at an altitude of about 1,800 m (5,900 ft) above sea level. The climate is cold but dry, due to its position south of the rugged Alborz range called KTS Atabakiya.
Agha Mohammad Khan of the Qajar dynasty established Qazvin around 1796 as a major hub for foreign trade with the Caspian Sea, the Persian Gulf, and Asia Minor. The city became a key center for the import and exchange of luxury goods, including Chinese raw silk and Indian products such as jewels, perfumes, and spices. Today, Qazvin serves as a regional transportation and communications center, connected by both road and rail to Tehran and Tabriz, and by road to the Caspian Sea and Hamadan.
Qazvin is the largest city and the capital of Qazvin Province in Iran. It served as the capital during part of the Safavid dynasty in the medieval era and is now recognized as the Calligraphy Capital of Iran. The city is also renowned for its Baghlava, distinctive carpet patterns, celebrated poets, and its tradition of publishing influential political newspapers.
Archaeological findings in the Qazvin plain reveal evidence of urban agricultural settlements dating back at least nine millennia. Geographically, Qazvin connects Tehran, Isfahan, and the Persian Gulf to the Caspian Sea coast and Asia Minor, making it a strategic location through the ages.
In the 19th century, Qazvin flourished as a trading center due to its position at the start of the only year-round accessible road from the Caspian Sea to the Highlands. With increased traffic on the Caspian Sea, trade volume expanded, leading to the enlargement of its bazaars. Qazvin was officially designated as a province in 1996.
Main Sights
Qazvin is home to several archaeological sites. At the city’s center lie the ruins of Meimoon Ghal'eh, one of the notable Sassanid-era structures in the region.
The city also features numerous buildings from the Safavid era, reflecting the period when Qazvin served as the capital of Persia. Among these, the most famous is Chehelsotoun Palace, which today functions as a museum located in the heart of Qazvin.
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· Jame' Atiq Mosque of Qazvin
One of the oldest mosques in Qazvin, showcasing remarkable Islamic architecture.
· Heydarieh Mosque
A historic mosque known for its cultural and architectural significance.
· Masjed Al-Nabi (Soltani Mosque)
Covering an area of 14,000 m², this grand mosque is one of the most magnificent from the Safavid monarchy era.
· Sanjideh Mosque
Originally a pre-Islamic fire temple, its current structure dates back to the Seljuk period.
· Panjeh Ali Mosque
Historically served as a private place of worship for royal harem members during the Safavid era.
· Peighambarieh School-Mosque
Founded in 1644, as confirmed by inscriptions, this complex serves both educational and religious functions.
· Peighambarieh Shrine
The burial site of four Jewish saints who are believed to have foretold the coming of Christ.
· Molla Verdikhani School-Mosque
Established in 1648, it is a significant religious and educational center.
· Salehieh Madrasa and Mosque
Founded in 1817 by Mulla Muhammad Salih Baraghani, known for its architectural beauty.
· Sheikhol Islam School-Mosque
Renovated in 1903, maintaining its historical importance.
· Eltefatieh School
Dating back to the Il-Khanid period, reflecting medieval Islamic education and architecture.
· Sardar School-Mosque
Built in 1815 by brothers Hossein Khan and Hassan Khan Sardar, fulfilling a vow made after returning victorious from a battle against the Russians.
· Emamzadeh Hosein Shrine
A 15th-century shrine dedicated to a 9th-century Shiite saint.
· Aminiha Hosseiniyeh
A significant religious site known for its cultural and religious gatherings.
Churches and Russian Architecture in Qazvin
Qazvin is home to three notable buildings constructed by the Russians in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These include the current Mayor’s Office, a historic water reservoir, and the Cantor Church, where a Russian pilot is buried.
Explorers such as Pietro Della Valle, Jean-Baptiste Tavernier, and Jean Chardin documented that Christians of various sects have lived in Qazvin for centuries. Among its religious landmarks is the Saint Hripsime Church. Additionally, Qazvin is renowned as the burial place of four Jewish prophets who foretold the coming of Jesus Christ; their tomb is now a popular shrine known as Peighambariyeh.
Castles and Forts of Qazvin
Many of the castles and fortifications in Qazvin date back to the Isma'ili movement of the Middle Ages. Notable among these are:
· Alamut Castle
· Lambesar Castle
· Shirkouh Castle
· Qez Qaleh Castle
· Shemiran Castle
· Meimoon Ghal'eh
· Barajin Qaleh
· Cultural Landscape of Alamut
