| |
Iran is not blessed with one of
the world's loveliest capitals. Pollution, chronic
overcrowding and a lack of responsible planning have all
helped to make Tehran a metropolis that even the most effusive
travel agent would have difficulty praising . If you're
expecting an exotic crossroads steeped in oriental splendor,
you'll be sadly disappointed. The distances are vast, the
traffic is shockingly bad and the main sights are spread out.
However, the hotels are good , the variety of restaurants is
impressive, the facilities are far ahead of those anywhere in
the provinces and the Tehranies are friendly. The major
attraction for visitors is the city's excellent museums. |
 |
| |
Human
settlement of the region dates back to Neolithic times, but the development of Tehran was
very slow and its rise to prominence largely accidental. From
the mid-16th century, Tehran's attractive natural setting and
good hunting brought it into the favor of the Safavid kings.
It developed from a moderately prosperous trading village into
an elegant, if dusty, city. European visitors wrote of its
many enchanting vineyards and gardens. In 1789, Agha Muhammed
Khan declared Tehran his capital, and six years later had
himself crowned as Shah of all Persia. The town continued to
grow slowly under later Ghajar rulers.
From the early 1920s, the city was extensively modernized on a
grid system, and this period marked the start of phenomenal
population growth and uncontrolled urban development that
continues to this day. Today Tehran is so vast that getting
hopelessly lost at least once is a near certainty .Iif you
would like to see the landmarks, the Alborz mountains,
known as the 'North Star' of Tehran, are to the north; as the huge telephone office at Emam Khomeini
Square dominates inner southern Tehran.
The National Museum of Iran houses a marvellous collection
including ceramics, stone figures and carvings dating back to the 5th
millennium BC. Many of the relics are taken from
excavations at Persepolis, Shush, Rey and Turang Tappé These
places could probably mean more to you ,if you come here after you've
visited the archaeological sites. The Glass & Ceramics
Museum is one of the most impressive in Tehran, not only for
its professionally organized exhibitions, but also for the
building itself. The Reza Abbasids Museum, another stunner,
contains examples of Islamic painting , pottery and jewellery.
The National Palace (White) Museum used to be the last Shah's
palace and is now a complex of museums.
Tehran's best non-museum sight is the so big haphazard bazaar,
it's practically a separate city. Also worth a look are the
busy Emam Khomeini Mosque, the Armenian Sarkis Cathedral,
and the city's parks and gardens.
Just about every cheap place to stay in Tehran is in the
southern part of the city, within about 1km radius of Emam
Khomeini Square. This is also the place to look for a good
kebab. Four and five-star hotels are scattered through the
city, most of them hopelessly inconvenient if you're hoping to
use public transport. The airport is about 10km (6mi)
south-west of central Tehran.
|