SEMNAN

With an area of 95815 square kilometers, the province of Semnan is located to the east of the province of Tehran . It includes 4 districts which are: Semnan, Shahrood, Samghan and Garmsar.

In 1991 the population of the province was about 1457000, which is formed of 6406% registered to be urban dwellers, and the remaining 38.4% as villagers. Although the city of Semnan is the administrating center of the province the city of Shahrood is the largest and the most populated city.

The province of Semnan is located on the south of the mountainous chain of Albors, in which the height of the land decrease southward, and it is connected to the Kaveer desert from the south. So this province is consisted of two major geographical areas; the mountainous to the north, and the fertile outskirts and plains to the south. The mountainous area contains mines as well as some beautiful landscapes, while the outskirts have been suitable to the establishment of the old cities during the history.

The province of Semnan is significant for its variable climate. It is very cold on the mountains, temperate in the outskirts and very hot in the desert.

The province of Semnan is well known for being one of the 16 divisions of the ancient avista. During the long period of the Achaemenian and the Maads, it was a part of the art (or the Partos) state. It enjoyed a special importance also during the Sasanid period. During the Islamic period it was a part of the historical region of Qomis (or Komash). Finally, the province of Semnan, with more than two thousand years history, has been witness to many wars, losses and victories.

This city is located on the main road between Tehran and Mashhad, with 221 kilometers a distance from Tehran . During its long history, this city was occupied by many tribes, and its name has been mentioned in many historical books. In the beginning of the fourth century, the city of Semnan was counted as a part of the territory of Al-Ziar dynasty, and after the decline of this period, the city of Qomis was a part of the region of Daylam. In the year 427 after the hegira (AH), the Ghaz turks destroyed this city severely, and it was once again destroyed by the Mongols in the year 618 AH. From the many significant historical remaining of the city, one can mention the followings.

• The Minaret of the Saljuk Period Which Contain an Inscription Written By the Kufi Calligraphy on Its Brick Walls.
• Khanqah and Tomb of Shaykh Ala'ol-Dawleh Semnani Which Is Located In Sorkheh Willage. The Building Is Being Regarded To Mongols' Period.
• The Friday Mosque Which It's Building History Belongs to the Year 828 AH (The Shahrokh Period).
• Shah Abbas Karvansera Which Is Located In Lasjerd Village , And It Has To Somewhat Remained Undestroyed.
• The Sultani Mosque Which Was Built By Fath-Alishah Qajar.
• The Gate of the Semnan Citadel Which Is Of the Qajar Period Remainings.
• The Natural And Historical Remaining Of Darband Which Is Located 21 Kilometers Far From The City Of Semnan And It Is Very Interesting For Visitors.

Historical Places                                       Maps Semnan