Cultural landscape of Bam - World Cultural Heritage in Iran

Unesco's Scientific, Educational and Cultural Organization recognized Bam and the cultural landscape is a Cultural Heritage in 2004.

The ancient town of Bam in Iran

Bam is an ancient city in Iran's Kerman province. Bam citadel was built more than 2,000 years ago during the Sassanid period (224 - 651 BC). This ancient city is world famous for its unique architecture for thousands of years. Not only that, the ancient architectural works here are also made up of unique construction materials.

In this ancient city there are many impressive buildings, among the remarkable buildings of Bam outside the ancient citadel, there is also the Zoroastriatft temple; Mirza Naeem .

The Zoroastriatft temple was built during the Sassanid era; Friday cathedral was built in the period from 866 to 903 and the tomb of Mirza Naeem - famous astronomer lived 3 centuries ago. The buildings here continue to be built in the following centuries until the Safavid dynasty.

Under the Safavid dynasty (1501-1722), Bam has an area of ​​6km2 and is surrounded by a citadel with 38 giant tower towers. Safavid is mentioned as a powerful empire in Iran's history, able to confront the Ottoman Empire in the West and the Mughals in the East.

According to historical researchers, the population of Bam under Safavid is around 9,000 to 13,000 people. Bam could not match the political capital of Isfahan politically but at its peak, this was the destination of pilgrims, an important trading center on the legendary Silk Road, the mysterious Eastern world with a Europe is hungry for goods.

After the Afghan invasion of 1722, Bam's economic position weakened. The city that served as the center of military barracks until 1932 faded away and became a boring small town.

In 1953, Iran mobilized architects and historical researchers to restore the old town in Bam. Gradually this city has become an attractive tourist destination, attracting tens of thousands of visitors every year from all over the world. Unfortunately, the December 26, 2003 earthquake has permanently robbed this legacy of Iran. The entire citadel was built after hundreds of years, even thousands of years of existence, could not withstand the tremors of 6.3 degrees Ricter.

When it was first built, the main building material in the ancient city of Bam was bricks, straw-mixed clay and everything used from palm trees and dates. This is the world's largest architectural complex built from these materials.

Currently, only a few places have been destroyed or damaged as evidence for a flourishing and flourishing history of this city.

Bam and its cultural landscape are recognized by the Unesco as a World Cultural Heritage by criteria (ii), (iii), (iv), (v)

Criterion (ii): The ancient town of Bam is located at the crossroads of important trade routes in southern Iran, which is an outstanding example of the interaction and mutual influence of cultural areas and regions. chemical.

Criterion (iii): Bam and its cultural landscape are a special testament to the development of this city in other harsh desert environments in Central Asia.

Criterion (iv): Bam and its cultural landscape represent a striking example of an ancient settlement in Central Asia. The buildings here are made up of unique materials that are areas and straws.

Criterion (v): Bam and its cultural landscape are also an excellent representation of human creativity in creating an environment that is appropriate to the environment and the climate of each region.