Antique Hamadan

Hamadan is the capital city of Hamadan Province of Iran and is the second-oldest continuously inhabited city in the world.  Hamadan is also home to many poets and cultural celebrities. The mausoleums of biblical Queen Esther and Mordechai are buried in Hamadan. Hamadan was established by the Medes and was the capital of the Median Empire. It then became one of several capital cities of the Achaemenid Dynasty. Hamadan stands on the Silk Road, and even in recent centuries the city enjoyed strong commerce and trade as a result of its location on the main road network in the western region of Persia and Iran.  Hamadan has always been well-known for handicrafts like leather and ceramic work as well as for its beautiful carpets.  Although very large rugs are uncommon, Hamadans come in a variety of sizes.  Some older rugs have a wool foundation while newer rugs have a cotton foundation. Each village or group of villages has its own distinctive design. The majority of rugs have a geometric design with medallions and all over designs framed with multiple borders. The famous Ghar-e Ali Sadre Cave boasts a waterway that is largely navigable, from 3 to 30 meters deep and has many stalactites that resemble famous landmarks, including the Statue of Liberty. It is one of the coldest cities in Iran, the temperature dropping below -30 °C on the coldest days.