Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Qazvinنيوزق
0281 / POP 342,000 / ELEV 1301M
Qazvin is famed for carpets and seedless grapes. The city was once capital of all Iran and
has a considerable sprinkling of minor sights, but for most Western travellers its foremost
role is as a launch point for excursions to the famous Castles of the Assassins in the mar-
vellous Alamut Valley.
History
Founded by the Sassanian king Shapur I in the 3rd century AD, Qazvin prospered under
the Seljuk rulers, who erected many fine buildings. It had a second, much later burst of
prominence when the second Safavid shah, Tahmasp I (r 1524-76), transferred the Persian
capital here from Tabriz. A great patron of the arts, his ambitious architectural plan for
Qazvin proved to be only a dress rehearsal for Esfahan, where his successor, Shah Abbas
I, set up court in 1598. The city centre is Azadi Sq, widely known as Sabz Meydan. The
bazaar and alleys to its southeast are the most atmospheric areas for random strolling.
