Saveh
Encyclopedia
Sāveh is a city in the Markazi Province
of Iran
. It is located around 100 km southwest of Tehran
. As of 2006, the city had a population of 179,009 people.
. During the Parthian rule of Persia, it was called Saavakineh, and was one of the main hubs of the empire.
In the Middle Ages, it was residence of the Dalaymites and of the Seljuqs. It was severely damaged by the Mongol invasion in the 13th century; it was restored during the Ilkhanids. Saveh was again sacked by the Timurids, but later grew under the Safavids. It eventually lost much of its importance when Tehran
became the official capital of Persia and, in the mid-19th century, many of the inhabitants moved to Tehran.
Outside the city are the fortresses of Esmaeilieh (35 km), Alvir and Ardemin (56 km, on the road to Hamadan
), as well as the archaeological sites of Aveh and Alishar.
who visited the infant Jesus
traveled from Saveh, and are buried among its ruins. Marco Polo
described the tombs of the Magi in his travel book, Il Milione
:
Saveh is said to have possessed one of the greatest libraries in the Middle East
, until its destruction by the Mongols
during their first invasion of Iran.
Another legend about Saveh is the Lake of Saveh. It is a lake which is said to have been located near the city. According to the legend mentioned in historical Persian texts, this lake dried out on the night of the birth of Muhammad
. A recent investigation in the Zarand area between Tehran and Saveh has revealed some evidence of the existence of this lake in Zarand
Plain.
to appoint a woman as mayor.
Markazi Province
Markazi Province is one of the 31 provinces of Iran. The word markazi means central in Persian. Markazi lies in western Iran. Its capital is Arak. Its population is estimated at 1.35 million...
of Iran
Iran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
. It is located around 100 km southwest of Tehran
Tehran
Tehran , sometimes spelled Teheran, is the capital of Iran and Tehran Province. With an estimated population of 8,429,807; it is also Iran's largest urban area and city, one of the largest cities in Western Asia, and is the world's 19th largest city.In the 20th century, Tehran was subject to...
. As of 2006, the city had a population of 179,009 people.
History
In the 7th century BC it was as stronghold of the MedesMedes
The MedesThe Medes...
. During the Parthian rule of Persia, it was called Saavakineh, and was one of the main hubs of the empire.
In the Middle Ages, it was residence of the Dalaymites and of the Seljuqs. It was severely damaged by the Mongol invasion in the 13th century; it was restored during the Ilkhanids. Saveh was again sacked by the Timurids, but later grew under the Safavids. It eventually lost much of its importance when Tehran
Tehran
Tehran , sometimes spelled Teheran, is the capital of Iran and Tehran Province. With an estimated population of 8,429,807; it is also Iran's largest urban area and city, one of the largest cities in Western Asia, and is the world's 19th largest city.In the 20th century, Tehran was subject to...
became the official capital of Persia and, in the mid-19th century, many of the inhabitants moved to Tehran.
Main sights
- Friday Mosque, built by the Seljuqs during the 11th century. It includes a courtyard, porch, a 14 m tall minaret, nocturnal areas, a tiled dome (14 m tall, with a diameter of 16 m) and two altars with inscription in Kufic script.
- Maidan Mosque, also known as Red Mosque. Dating to the Seljuq period, it has a brickwork dome, a 11th century minaret, three porticoes, and internally houses an altar with plasterwork and inscriptions.
- Jameh Mosque of SavehJameh Mosque of SavehThe Jameh Mosque of Saveh is a Seljuk-era mosque, located in Saveh, Iran. This monument was built in the 12th century, coinciding with the establishment of the city itself.-History:...
- Imamzadeh Soltan Seyed Eshaq Mausoleum
- Sorkhdeh Bridge, south of the city
- Khamseh-Abad caravansarai
Outside the city are the fortresses of Esmaeilieh (35 km), Alvir and Ardemin (56 km, on the road to Hamadan
Hamadan
-Culture:Hamadan is home to many poets and cultural celebrities. The city is also said to be among the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities.Handicrafts: Hamadan has always been well known for handicrafts like leather, ceramic, and beautiful carpets....
), as well as the archaeological sites of Aveh and Alishar.
Economy
Saveh produces large amounts of wheat and cotton. It is also well known for its pomegranates and melons. Kaveh Industrial City, the largest industrial city in Iran, is located in Saveh.Legends
According to Iranian tradition, the MagiBiblical Magi
The Magi Greek: μάγοι, magoi), also referred to as the Wise Men, Kings, Astrologers, or Kings from the East, were a group of distinguished foreigners who were said to have visited Jesus after his birth, bearing gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh...
who visited the infant Jesus
Jesus
Jesus of Nazareth , commonly referred to as Jesus Christ or simply as Jesus or Christ, is the central figure of Christianity...
traveled from Saveh, and are buried among its ruins. Marco Polo
Marco Polo
Marco Polo was a Venetian merchant traveler from the Venetian Republic whose travels are recorded in Il Milione, a book which did much to introduce Europeans to Central Asia and China. He learned about trading whilst his father and uncle, Niccolò and Maffeo, travelled through Asia and apparently...
described the tombs of the Magi in his travel book, Il Milione
The Travels of Marco Polo
Books of the Marvels of the World or Description of the World , also nicknamed Il Milione or Oriente Poliano and commonly called The Travels of Marco Polo, is a 13th-century travelogue written down by Rustichello da Pisa from stories told by Marco Polo, describing the...
:
Saveh is said to have possessed one of the greatest libraries in the Middle East
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
, until its destruction by the Mongols
Mongols
Mongols ) are a Central-East Asian ethnic group that lives mainly in the countries of Mongolia, China, and Russia. In China, ethnic Mongols can be found mainly in the central north region of China such as Inner Mongolia...
during their first invasion of Iran.
Another legend about Saveh is the Lake of Saveh. It is a lake which is said to have been located near the city. According to the legend mentioned in historical Persian texts, this lake dried out on the night of the birth of Muhammad
Muhammad
Muhammad |ligature]] at U+FDF4 ;Arabic pronunciation varies regionally; the first vowel ranges from ~~; the second and the last vowel: ~~~. There are dialects which have no stress. In Egypt, it is pronounced not in religious contexts...
. A recent investigation in the Zarand area between Tehran and Saveh has revealed some evidence of the existence of this lake in Zarand
Zarand
Zarand may refer to:* Zarand, Iran, a city in Kerman Province, Iran* Zarand County, an administrative subdivision of Kerman Province, Iran* Zărand , Arad County, Romania...
Plain.
Politics
In 2004, Saveh became only the second city in the history of the Islamic RepublicHistory of Iran
The history of Iran has been intertwined with the history of a larger historical region, comprising the area from the Danube River in the west to the Indus River and Jaxartes in the east and from the Caucasus, Caspian Sea, and Aral Sea in the north to the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman and Egypt...
to appoint a woman as mayor.