Semnan

2026-06-17 17:49

Restoration work begins at Shah Abbasi caravanserai in Semnan

TEHRAN – Restoration and rehabilitation work has begun on a historic Shah Abbasi caravanserai in Semnan, northern Iran, focusing on the structure's northern and western sections, local cultural heritage officials said on Wednesday.

2026-06-08 17:59

Nazr-e Aloofeh in Qaleh Bala: a living tradition of wildlife conservation and community solidarity

Nestled on the edge of Touran National Park in Semnan province, about 140 kilometers southeast of Shahroud, Qaleh Bala is a village known for its stepped architecture, striking landscapes, and close connection to nature. Often described as the gateway to Touran, the village is not only valued for its natural beauty but also for its rich cultural traditions that continue to shape the lives of its residents.

2026-05-30 17:54

Qaleh Bala: Where community-based governance aligns with wildlife conservation

TEHRAN - The village of Qaleh Bala, located at the “Golden Gate” of Touran National Park, has become a shining model of participatory governance and community-based environmental conservation in Iran.

2026-04-19 18:59

Wildlife-friendly Qaleh Bala targets UN Best Tourism Villages recognition

TEHRAN - Perched on the edge of Iran’s vast desert landscapes, Qaleh Bala village has emerged as one of the country’s most compelling candidates for the UN Tourism “Best Tourism Villages” label, an initiative that recognizes rural destinations combining cultural heritage, sustainability, and community-driven development.

2026-02-14 17:17

Desert village Qaleh Bala moves closer to possible UN label

TEHRAN – Cultural heritage authorities in Shahroud have finalized a dossier to nominate the village of Qaleh Bala in Semnan province for inscription by the UN Tourism, a local official said on Saturday.

2026-02-13 17:45

Minister suggests formation of spiritual tourism triangle in Semnan province

TEHRAN – Iran’s Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts, Seyyed Reza Salehi-Amiri, on Thursday called for the formation of a spiritual tourism triangle stretching from Shahroud to the capital city of Semnan, during a visit to eastern Semnan province.

2026-02-08 17:43

Semnan tourism department to revamp surroundings of Shah Abbasi caravanserai

TEHRAN – Semnan’s cultural heritage, tourism and handicrafts department has begun plans to reorganize the area surrounding the centuries-old Shah Abbasi caravanserai which is located in the north-central Iranian province.

2026-01-24 17:25

55 hectares of Semnan's historical texture nationally registered

TEHRAN--Two historical neighborhoods of Esfanjan and Nasar to the extent of 55 hectares in historical texture of Semnan province were registered in Iran’s National Heritage List.

2026-01-20 17:04

Eyvanki reflects centuries of settlement along ancient trade routes

TEHRAN--Eyvanki city is located on one of the main and most important routes from the east to the west of the ancient and current time, a route that was once called the Silk Road. Eyvanki is located in Garmsar county , Semnan province, about 70 kilometers from Tehran.

2026-01-19 17:04

Mayamey and its centuries-old Persian caravanserais

TEHRAN--Mayamey in Semnan province, with its collection of historical caravanserais such as Mayamey, Miandasht, and Abbasabad, represents part of Iran’s cultural heritage.

2026-01-17 17:52

Siahak-Duzi: where art meets the silent white of cloth

TEHRAN - Siahak-Duzi, a traditional form of needlework from Iran’s Semnan province, is a fine yet fragile expression of Iranian handicrafts and an important part of local clothing and cultural identity.

2025-12-14 17:50

Digi and glimpses of culinary heritage in Qaleh Bala village

TEHRAN – A traditional dish known as Digi, prepared using a centuries-old method in Iran’s Qaleh Bala village, offers insight into the area’s indigenous culinary culture, reflecting local knowledge, communal practices and social traditions passed down through generations.

2025-12-10 17:31

Women preserve ‘Tal-o Mahtal’ ritual for rain in Iran’s Qaleh Bala village

TEHRAN – The ancient rain-seeking ritual Tal-o Mahtal, observed in Iran’s Qaleh Bala village, is originated as a community response to recurring desert droughts and continues to be practiced today. The ceremony is listed as part of the national intangible cultural heritage.

2025-12-09 17:15

1000-year-old minaret of Semnan mosque to be honored in Special ceremony

TEHRAN--A ceremony to commemorate the millennium of minaret of Semnan Jameh Mosque will be held on Wednesday with the aim of transforming this heritage site into a historical and cultural brand of the city.

2025-12-03 17:38

Rural, nomadic tourism development planned in Mahdishahr

TEHRAN--The development of rural and nomadic tourism is one of the important goals of Mahdishahr county in Semnan province, said Governor of Mahdishahr Ali Khodadad.

2025-12-03 17:37

‘Forest to Desert’ project, an opportunity for tourism development in Shahroud

TEHRAN--The ‘Forest to Desert’ project is an exceptional opportunity for tourism development in Shahroud county, Semnan province, said Shahroud Governor Mohammad-Hassan Asafari.

2025-11-30 18:52

Qaleh Bala, a village where people celebrate endemic Iranian Ground-Jay

TEHRAN - For 14 years, the remote eco-friendly village of Qaleh Bala has welcomed wildlife enthusiasts to its unique “Journey to the Habitat of the Iranian Ground-Jay” festival — an annual event where residents and visitors come together to honor and protect one of Iran’s rarest native birds.

2025-11-29 21:19

International photo exhibition of Muharram opens in Semnan

TEHRAN- The 18th edition of the International Photo Exhibition of Mehr-e Muharram was inaugurated in the central Iranian city of Semnan, in the presence of provincial cultural officials on Saturday.

2025-11-25 17:54

Media tour explores historic sites across Semnan province

TEHRAN – A media tour in Semnan province on Wednesday took journalists to five historic and cultural sites, offering an overview of the city’s architectural heritage and preservation efforts, IRNA reported.

2025-11-22 16:39

Bastam Castle, a lesser-known destination for domestic and foreign tourists

TEHRAN— Bastam Castle, in the north-central Semnan Province, is a lesser-known destination for both domestic and foreign tourists.

2025-11-16 17:32

Bastam added to Iran’s list of historical cities

TEHRAN - Bastam, a tourism destination near Shahroud, has recently been added to Iran’s list of historical cities during the second conference of Iran’s historical cities held in Yazd.

2025-10-29 17:20

Silk Road is a living cultural ecosystem, expert says

TEHRAN – The legacy of the ancient Silk Road is a living cultural ecosystem that has received special attention from UNESCO, the Director-General of the UNESCO Tehran Cluster Office for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage in West and Central Asia said.

Semnan to is to host intl. tourism conference

2025-10-28 16:52

Semnan is to host intl. tourism conference

TEHRAN – The first International Tourism Conference of Semnan, titled “Silk Road: Opportunities and Perspectives,” will be held tomorrow at Semnan University, according to the provincial Department of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts.

Iran’s tourism minister Seyyed Reza Salehi-Amiri addresses a gathering of travel insiders and investors at the courtyard of a boutique hotel in downtown Tehran, October 1, 2025.

2025-10-01 17:25

268 tourism projects worth $130 million inaugurated across Iran

TEHRAN— A total of 268 tourism projects were inaugurated simultaneously via video conference by Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Reza Salehi-Amiri on Wednesday.

2025-09-22 17:22

400 events planned for Iran’s Tourism Week

TEHRAN – Concurrent with the start of Tourism Week, 400 festivals and special events focusing on tourism and sustainable development will be held across Iran from September 27 to October 3, Mostafa Fatemi, director-general of the Domestic Tourism Development Office, said.

2025-09-21 17:16

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