Amol (
PersianPersian is an Iranian language within the Indo-Iranian branch of the Indo-European languages. It is widely spoken in Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and to some extent in Iraq and Bahrain, and has a status of official language in the first three countries under different names...
:
آمل ) is a city in
Mazandaran provinceMazandaran is a Caspian province in the north of Iran. Located on the southern coast of the Caspian Sea, it is bordered clockwise by the Golestan, Semnan and Tehran provinces...
,
IranIran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran is a country in Western Asia. The name Iran has been in use natively since the Sassanid period and came into international use from 1935, before which the country was known internationally as Persia...
, located on the
Haraz riverHaraz is a river in Mazandaran Province, northern Iran that flows northward from foot of Mount Damavand across Larijan, through Amol city, and finally to the Caspian Sea between Mahmood Abad and Fereydoon Kenar. Its valley is one of few to cut through Alborz....
bank. It is less than 20 km south of the
Caspian seaThe Caspian Sea is the largest enclosed body of water on Earth by area, variously classed as the world's largest lake or a full-fledged sea. It has a surface area of 371,000 square kilometres and a volume of 78,200 cubic kilometres...
and less than 10 km north of the
AlborzAlborz , also written as Alburz or Elburz, is a mountain range in northern Iran stretching from the borders of Armenia in the northwest to the southern end of the Caspian Sea, and ending in the east at the borders of Turkmenistan and Afghanistan...
mountains. It is 180 km from
TehranTehran is the capital and largest city of Iran, and the administrative center of Tehran Province. Tehran is a sprawling city at the foot of the Tochal mountain range with an immense network of highways unparalleled in Western Asia...
, and 60 km east of the provincial capitol,
SariA sari or saree or shari is a female garment in the Indian Subcontinent. A sari is a strip of unstitched cloth, ranging from four to nine metres in length that is draped over the body in various styles...
.
Etymology and History
Amol is an old city, with its age dating back to the
AmardThe Amard people, or Amardis were a tribe living along the southern shore of the Caspian Sea, including current day Amol, Iran. The name is also seen as Amardi, Amardian, Amardae, etc....
s. Amards were the people inhabiting the area before the arrival of
AryansThe Iranian peoples are an ethnic and linguistic branch of Indo-European peoples, living mainly on the Iranian plateau and beyond in central, southern, and southwestern Asia and southeastern Europe. As a group of people, they are predominantly defined along linguistic lines as speaking the Iranian...
. Many scholars believe that the city's name is rooted in the word
Amard (
Amui in
PahlaviMiddle Persian is the Middle Iranian language/ethnolect of Southwestern Iran that during Sassanid times became a prestige dialect and so came to be spoken in other regions as well. Middle Persian is classified as Western Iranian language...
). According to historical literature, Amol was the capital of Mazandaran, at least in the period starting from Sassanian Empire to the
IlkhanateThe Ilkhanate, also spelled Il-khanate or Il Khanate , was a Mongol khanate established in Persia in the 13th century, considered a part of the Mongol Empire...
dynasty of
Mongol EmpireThe Mongol Empire was an empire from the 13th and 14th century spanning from Eastern Europe across Asia. It is the largest contiguous empire in the history of the world...
.
Some historians in the past have associated this ancient city with the periods of the Pishdadians and the Kianians. In respect to the relics and coins found in this region, this city can be said to be the capital of this territory during the Sassanid era. The inhabitants of Amol city embraced
IslamIslam Islam Islam ( al-’islām,
[There are ten pronunciations of Islam in English, differing in whether the first or second syllable has the stress, whether the s is or , and whether the a is pronounced as in father, as in cat, or (when the stress is on the i) as in the a of sofa...]
during the reign of
MahdiAccording to the Shia and Sunni versions of the Islamic eschatology the Mahdi is the prophesied redeemer of Islam who will stay on earth seven, nine, or nineteen years before the coming of the day, Yawm al-Qiyamah...
, the
AbbasiAbbasi is a prominent Muslim family name.- Origin :The name denotes descent from Abbas ibn Abd-al-Muttalib, the paternal uncle of Prophet Muhammad...
Caliph, after which Islamic structures came into focus here.
But after the Mongol invasion, the region was subject to devastation and it was during this time that
SarySari is the provincial capital of Mazandaran, located in the north of Iran, between the northern slopes of the Alborz Mountains and southern coast of Caspian Sea....
was declared as capital. In the beginning of the 7th century A.H., Hessam-edin Ardeshir, shifted the capital from Sary to Amol, and constructed his palace there. But in the year 795 A.H., the cities of Amol and Sary were plundered by Amir Teimoor Gurkani, and thereafter Amol suffered a setback. The great scholar and religious personality (translator of The Holy Qoran), Mohammad Ebne Jarir Tabari is from Amol city. Today, the new city of Amol stands to the north of the ancient city, and is a thriving metropolis.
http://www.chnpress.com/tourism/Attractions/mazandaran/
Population
| Total |
Male |
Female |
Family |
| 199,698 |
100,223 |
99,475 |
55,220 |
Source:
Natural Attractions
Mount DamavandMount Damāvand also known as Donbavand, a potentially active volcano and the highest peak in Iran, has a special place in Persian mythology and folklore...
, 5610 m, the highest point in the Middle EastThe Middle East is a region that spans southwestern Asia, southeastern Europe, and northeastern Africa. It has no clear boundaries, often used as a synonym to Near East, in opposition to Far East...
Lar and Damavand Mountains:
These mountains form the two branch ranges of the central Alborz Mountains, and are the highest sections of this range. To the north, after the Kahu (Sefid Ab) Pass, in the village of Garmabdar (district of Roodbar-e-Qasran), it sub-divides into two, the north western and south eastern ranges. In the south western sector are the peaks of Takht-e-Khers and Seh Sang, extending towards the west, where the gigantic Damavand Peak is visible.
In the south eastern sector, after running along the plains of Lar, the famous peaks of Haft Saran are apparent, and to the south of these plains are the peaks of Mehr Chal, Atashkadeh, Siyah Chal and Maaz. In the south eastern direction it joins the Khansak and Shad Kooh Mountains.
Haraz RiverHaraz is a river in Mazandaran Province, northern Iran that flows northward from foot of Mount Damavand across Larijan, through Amol city, and finally to the Caspian Sea between Mahmood Abad and Fereydoon Kenar. Its valley is one of few to cut through Alborz....
:
The Haraz River takes its source in the skirts of the Alborz Mountains in the region of Larijan. After flowing along the Haraz Road and Valley for about 100 km. it meanders in the midst of the city of Amol, from where it reaches the Caspian Sea. The fringes of this river are utilized as recreational areas as well as for fishing. The course that this river flows is beautiful and breath taking.
Forests:
This area with its elevated landscape and valleys has dense forests. Its tall hills overlook the plains and stretch out till the high slopes of the Damavand Mountains. The majestic and deep rocky valleys, rivers, numerous springs, elevated waterfalls, colorful vegetation, a variety of wild life, thermal springs, summer quarters, and rural settlements are some of the special factors which can prove attractive.
- Mirza Kuchak Khan Forest Park: The same is located 18 km. on the Amol - Tehran road, the Haraz River flowing on the eastern side of which.
Ab Esk (Larijan) Thermal Springs:
The said is located in a village by the same name in the district of Larijan. Surrounding this spring are limestone deposits which through the passage of time turn into marble. The water from this spring is useful in the treatment of chronic wounds, and skin diseases.
Amoloo Mineral Water Spring:
The water from this spring can be used for drinking purposes, and is useful in treating gastro-intestinal disorders. The same can be used for skin diseases also. Being close to the Haraz River this vicinity has a beautiful landscape.
Aab Garm , Aabe Garm , or Abe Garm-e Larijan Thermal Springs:
This thermal spring is near RinehRineh is a small city, located in the foot of Mount Damavand, in Mazandaran, Iran. It is the capital of the Larijan district of Amol County....
.Taking bath in its spring hot water reduces muscle and joint pain, helps in reducing inflammation and increases joint mobility associated with arthritis and DISH (Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis (or Forestier Disease). Also its water is used in the treatment of joint disorders, skin diseases and infections. HT
'Alamol Waterfall:
The said waterfall flows from the northern slopes of the Damavand Mountains, and is more than 100 m. in height. The massive output of water from this waterfall forms a spray like mist in the air and brings about a wonderful sight.
Yakhi Waterfall:
This waterfall is spectacular in that it is completely frozen, and is at an elevation of 5,100 m. in the vicinity of the Dood Kooh Mountains near the Damavand Peak. The same has a height of 70 m. and is 3 m. in girth which is in a state of constant increment. This increase is due to the trickle of water from the melting glacier above it, in the summer months at noon. This trickle flows alongside the waterfall, thereby adding to it. The same continues for a short while and soon freezes. The said waterfall is one of the only ones of its kind in the world.
Source:
http://www.chnpress.com/tourism/Attractions/mazandaran/
Historical Attractions
Davazdah Pelleh Bridge:
This brick made bridge spans over the
Haraz RiverHaraz is a river in Mazandaran Province, northern Iran that flows northward from foot of Mount Damavand across Larijan, through Amol city, and finally to the Caspian Sea between Mahmood Abad and Fereydoon Kenar. Its valley is one of few to cut through Alborz....
in the city center of Amol, connecting the east of the city to the western section. It is 120 m. in length. The arches rest on rectangular pillars which are at a distance of 6 m. from each other. In a section a breakwater has been erected. This bridge was constructed in the 18th century A.D. and was brought under repair in the 19th century, by Mirza Shafi Mazandarani, a minister of Nasseredin Shah. This bridge has played a role, not only towards the vitality of the city, but also in respect to its spectacular architectural effect. It is a land mark in the history of Mazandaran.
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Mashhad Mirbozorg (Mir Ghavam-O-Din Maraashi Mausoleum):
http://www.iranmiras.ir/en_site/bldg/displayBLDG.asp?title=Mir%20Ghavam-O-Din%20Maraashi%20Mausoleum&serial=1267&page=3&Province=MZN&city=Amol&chorno=0&sub1=ALL&sub2=All&picture=True&map=True&info=False
This structure is one of the important historical constructions of Mazandaran. The original structure was square in shape, and was constructed in the 8th century A.H. But the current one is related to the Safavid era, that is the 11th century A.H. Here the internal appearance, facade, adornments, tile work, and particularly the entrance door is of great historical value. Holy phrases have been inscribed in the kufic script, on glazed bricks on the internal part of the dome, thus adorning the same.
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Ashraf Bath:
The same has been constructed in the 12th century A.H. and is presently located in the Niaki Mahaleh of Amol. The structure has three large domes and seven small domes. This bath has two Khazeenehs or pool like areas, one containing warm and the other cold water. Besides it has an area resembling a cloak-room, known as the Sarbeeneh. The structure has been constructed of stone and brick, with ancient architectural effects. The same is the only old bath remaining in the city of Amol.
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Amol Jame' Mosque::
The same is located in the Masjed Jame' Mahaleh of Amol. Its primary structure dates to the first century A.H. Currently, this mosque has a square courtyard with constructions on the four sides. The nocturnal areas to the north and south, each have six huge pillars, (similar to elephant feet), and the areas to the east and west have nine such pillars. This structure has been repaired during the Qajar reign. In the corridor of the mosque is a stone tablet with a decree of Sultan Hossein Safavid dated 1106 A.H.
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Imamzadeh Abdollah:
The same is situated in the village of 'Osku Mahaleh', 12 km. southwest of Amol. The original structure was demolished in the year 1964, and a new one was erected. The sepulcher is of gold and silver, which is the work of artisans from the city of Esfahan. Other vestiges of the same are the tomb of Bibi Fatimeh and a type of remedial center. The Imamzadeh also provides facilities for pilgrims, in addition to a bazaar and other constructions around it.
http://www.chnpress.com/tourism/Attractions/mazandaran/
Imamzadeh Ebrahim Tomb:
The same is a four-sided brick structure with a pyramid like shaped dome. On the door and wooden chest there in, are carved inscriptions with the date 925 A.H. The texts of the said inscriptions are related to Abu Mohammad Ebrahim, the offspring of Imam Moosa Kazem.
Apart from the spectacular architectural techniques this structure displays, its wooden relics such as the chest and doors, adornments and inscriptions related to the Qajar period are interesting features. There is a written account of the arrival of Imamzadeh Ebrahim to Amol and his martyrdom here.
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As the Administrative Center of Amol countyAmol County is a county in Mazandaran Province in Iran. The capital of the county is Amol.Amol's neighbour counties are Babol in the east, Mahmudabad in the north, Noor in the west in Mazandaran province and Tehran province in the south....
Amol is the administrative center of
Amol countyAmol County is a county in Mazandaran Province in Iran. The capital of the county is Amol.Amol's neighbour counties are Babol in the east, Mahmudabad in the north, Noor in the west in Mazandaran province and Tehran province in the south....
.
Economy
Amol is a trade center for oranges, rice, iron, and coal.
Iranian Political Geography