The city is located beyond Mount Sabalan (4848m), the heights peak of Zagros in its northwest flank, seen from Ardebil, the provincial capital of the province also with similar name. Drive 90km west, you reach Meshgin Shahr, whose name had been called differently; famously and surprisingly enough, the city is home to famous author of old Persian allegorical work of 13th century Iran, ‘Marzbān-Nāma,’ Saʿd-al-Din Varāvini, since an old name ascribed to the city is Varavi or Varawi (in different spellings), Urami or Ourami, Meimand, and Khiav.
Historically, Meshgin Shahr is home to 224 sites and monuments, spanning from ancient to modern times of Safavid era where the city had been ruled by the dynasty’s local lord.
The sites and monuments give the city relative preference by tourists over other cities of the province. The pristine nature of Mount Sabalan and the climatic conditions coming from the mount are sources of diverse natural attractions including wildlife reserves, gorges, green outskirts hosting local nomads, and eye-catching waterfalls. Only second to Damavand Mount, Sabalan has a beautiful natural lake in its peak which has been formed by water from melting of snow trapped in the conic structure of an old volcano now inactive.
Sabalan range, stretching 115km in west-east direction, creating a natural border with East Azerbaijan province, feeds also several rivers (Qarasou and Ahar Chayi) which provide water for agriculture in Ahar plain in northern side and in southern side, it feeds tributaries of Talkhe Roud (Aji Chayi).
Ascend to Sabalan is through northeast route which is also most popular and trodden route as well; other tracks in south and west is a challenge for the uninitiated and fit the tastes of more professional mountaineers. The Mount has been registered in National List of Natural Sites, and the ownership of the Peak from the height of 3,600m and the stretch of land with an area of 6,200 hectares has been given to Department of Environment.
The city is flanked by the river Khiav Chayi in its east, flowing northerly from Sabalan heights. A suspension bridge of modest height (80m) and of steel structure opened in summer of 2015. It is 325 meters long and has been the biggest such project across the province in tourism. In a short time, the bridge has stolen the spotlight in tourism social networks and many swarmed the city to cross the bridge and enjoy the experience.
Among its host of historical monuments, the city has Shahriri monument in a track of land of 400 hectares in northwest of Pirazmian village, 31km east of Meshgin Shahr beside Qara Sou River. The site has a military fort, a temple, and a twin hill. Archeological investigations trace the site to 3,500 years ago and some others still go deeper into history to ascribe it to 7,000 years ago. Site is host to a sophisticated civilization. The site is thought to having been a place for an ancient observatory, one of the earliest indeed.
Stone-carved figures, inscriptions, ancient graves, long history, and unique features have bestowed upon Pirazmian unparalleled stature among the historical sites of the city and even the province. According to archeologists of the Cultural Heritage Organization, the temple had been possibly built in 1,450BC; they also trace the twin hills of the site to 7th millennia BC. Before the first millennia and in Neolithic period, the site had been settled as part of the highly advanced civilization of the region. Qahqaheh Fort in Yaft rural district, Muradlou County is located in Chanchuba and Qara Ağaj, 80km north of Meshgin Shahr. It is 1,200 meters above sea level in Qara Dağ (‘Black Mountain’); high fortifications and rocks surrounds the fort, turning it a naturally supported. Deep precipices elevates the fort as if carved out by human craft. Historical events of the fort are related to Safavid rule, but the fort itself had been built earlier than the dynasty in pre-Islamic period. Entrance to fort is from northern side, since it had been used for military purposes. Two towers dominate the entrance, which is 2.5 meters, made of stone and a crescent arch still standing. The fort served the Safavid rulers in a manner Tower of London served the monarchs of Britain to imprison, however this prisoners had been of royal family. Notable among them had been Esmail Mirza, son of Tahmasb I, and Esmail II, Tahmasb’s second eldest son. Khan Ahmed Guilani, Guilan governor, rebelled in 975 AH (1566 AD) and was imprisoned accordingly, in the fort. He even composed a poem and dedicated to Tahmasb I.
Sheikh Heidar Tomb in Meshgin Shahr was built by decree of Esmail I. It is a cylindrical structure circular from outside but dodecagon from inside. The basement and the upper floor has a diameter of 10.5m and height of 18.5m.
The tomb or mausoleum has been registered in the National Heritage List in 1920. The façade of the cylindrical building is decorated with turquoise tiles which bear Quranic verses in Kufic script. About the date of construction of the tomb overriding theories have been suggested; Donald Wilber for example believed that the building was conceived in 7th-8th AH and during Safavid era, it was completed and decorated with tiles. The inscription of the tomb has been badly damaged and intentionally destroyed and thus no information sheds light to the exact date of construction. Only recently did the latest decrypting of the inscription however give a plausible date of conception. It is 731 AH (1331 AD) and during the reign of the last Mongol ruler Abu Saeid Bahador Khan.
Shirvan Valley (Shirvan Deresi in local dialect) is one of the 11 wildlife refuges. It is a deep and wide gorge with rocky natural walls with stones resembling unknown figures. From south, the valley is delimited by Sabalan heights, from the east it leads to Lahroud-Shabil road, from the west, it leads to yet another wildlife refuge of the region, Houshang Field (Houshang Meydani in local dialect). From the north, Qilchiqlou village highlands encloses the valley. The wildlife refuge is habitat of many species of fauna such as wild hog, fox, wolf, brown bear, wild goat, Armenian wild sheep, partridge, turtledove and ringdove, and other migratory birds.
Qaynarja Spa waters, a natural source of mineral boiling water with healing properties has only recently been improved in terms of facilities, swimming pools, restaurant, and other accomodations. Shabil Therapeutic Spa Water Complex has a temperature of 49 degrees Celsius is also a popular tourist resort in all seasons of the year. Qotur Suyi, 49km from Meshgin Shahr and 24km from Lahroud, is very hot water containing calcium sulfate and very effective for skin lesions healing. Other spa waters are spread in the region which attract locals as well as tourists from around the country.
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