Kharraqan towers
The Kharraqan towers are mausoleums , built in 1067 and 1093 , located on the plains in northern Iran , near Qazvin .
The brick structures stand 15 metres (49 ft) tall and 4 metres (13 ft) wide , and make extensive use of geometry . Inside the older mausoleum there is a lamp and paintings .
The eastern tower dates from 1067-68 , while the western tower dates from 1093 . Both towers appear to be the work of the architect , Muhammad bin Makki al-Zanjani . It is believed that the occupant of the eastern tower was Abu Sa'id Bijar and the occupant of the western tower was Abu Mansur Iltayti .
These towers are remnant examples of architecture that existed during the Seljuk period of medieval Persia .
Both towers were significantly damaged by the 2002 Bou'in-Zahra earthquake . They were in a good state of preservation before the event , suggesting it was one of the most powerful quakes in the region for approximately 900 years .
Ovan Lake
Ovan lake is a small alpine lake in Alamut region of Arburz range , in Qazvin province of Iran . The centre point of the lake is approximately located at 36°28′58.98″N 50°26′37.39″E . The only tributary that flows into the lake , is a stream with the same name , Ovan , coming down from northern mounts . The north of the lake is also surrounded by three small villages , namely from east to west : Varbon , Ovan and Zar-abaad .
Alamut Castle
Alamut was a mountain fortress located in Alamut region in the South Caspian province of Daylam near the Rudbar region in Iran , approximately 100 km (60 mi) from present-day Tehran .
Between 1090 and 1256 AD , under the leadership of Hasan-i Sabbah , Alamut became the site of intense activity for the Shi'a Nizari Ismai'lis of Persia , along with a smaller subgroup known as the Assassins in Syria , functioning as the headquarters of their state , which was in fact a series of unconnected strategic strongholds scattered throughout Persia (Iran) and Syria , surrounded by huge swathes of hostile territory (the Seljuq Empire) . In 1256 , Rukn-ul-Din Khurshah surrendered the fortress to the invading Mongols , and its famous library holdings were destroyed . Sources on the history and thought of the Ismailis in this period are therefore lacking and the majority extant are written by their detractors .
After the Mongol destruction , the castle was of only regional significance , passing through the hands of various local powers . Today , it lies in ruins , but because of its historical significance , it is being developed by the Iranian government as a tourist destination .
Aminiha Hosseiniyeh
Aminiha Hosseiniyeh is a historic hosseiniyeh in the Akhund (Molavi) neighbourhood of Qazvin , Iran . Built in 1858 , it comprises 16 interconnected structures , constructed by a merchant called , Haj Mohammad Reza Amini . The public mourning area or Hosseinieh consists of three parallel halls running in an east to west direction with wooden sash windows that are inter linked with each other .
The southern halls boast of 9 latticed worked sash windows with coloured panes . Its ceiling is adorned with painting and mirror works . The center hall has rounded alcoves adorned with ornate mirror and plasterwork . This hall is connected to the northern and southern halls by two sets of five doors . On the semi-circular segment over the doors leading to the northern porch fine emblems in connection with the twelve months (of the year) can be noted . The ceiling of this hall is adorned with plaster and mirror , in addition to paintings on wood .
The section under the halls comprises sectors such as the cellar , basement , store room , and kitchen which have access to the northern and southern courtyard . The north facing wall of the southern courtyard is of stone with innumerable embossments .
The buildings are open to visitors year round , between the hours of 9am to 1pm , and 5pm to 8pm .
Imamzade Hossein
The Imamzadeh Hossein is the grave mosque of a son of the 8th Imam Ali al-Ridha ("Hazrat-e Reza") in Qazvin , Iran that the Safavids - Shah Tahmasp I built in the mid-16th century as a pilgrimage center .
The namesake of the tomb is the biennial deceased son of Imam Hossein . This passed in transit with his father to Khorasan in Qazvin in 821 and was buried at the site . Later more people were buried from the Safavid dynasty bib . Tahmasp I , who had his seat of government in Qazvin , built the tomb . His daughter "Zainab Beygum" expanded it in 1630 , as is testified by a tile inscription .
Al-Nabi Mosque
The al-Nabi Mosque is a famous mosque in Qazvīn . The mosque has an area of about 14,000 m² , and bears inscriptions indicating that Fath Ali Shah of the Qajar dynasty was the founder of the mosque . Other sources however indicate that the mosque has been in existence since the Safavid period . It is now believed that the architect of the structure was Ustad Mirza Shirazi with the date of construction being 1787 .
Its double layered dome measures 15m in inner-diameter , with the top of the inner layer positioned at 20.83m above ground level , while the external apex is 23.25m high .
There was formerly an elevated minaret flanking the dome , of which the French explorer Madame Jane Dieulafoy had written . The mosque has four iwans in its courtyard .
The portal contains an inscription in nastaliq calligraphy dated 1787 CE . Similar to Qazvin's Masjed e Jame (Congregation Mosque) , this mosque has a shabestan that is now used as a library .
Caravanserai of Sad al-Saltaneh
The Caravanserai of Sa'd al-Saltaneh is a large Caravanserai located in the city of Qazvin in Qazvin Province of Iran .
Built during the Qajar era , the caravanserai is one of Persia's best preserved urban caravanserais . The builder (patron) of this large caravanserai was a person by the name Sa'd al-Saltaneh Isfahani , for whom the caravanserai is named after .
The caravanserai is built on a square plan , has 4 iwans facing a courtyard . The interiors are decorated with Muqarnas and Rasmi bandi .
The Hujrehs , or the rooms for the travelers , are situated one meter above the courtyard ground level . The Hashti behind the southern iwan has the largest gonbad , with 4 semi-domes adjacent to it .
The eastern-western axis of the Hashti is called Dalan-i Qeisariyeh or "Caesar's Hall" , and the north-south axis of the Caravanserai's Hashti is named Dalan-i Ghahremani or "Ghahremani Hall" . The former is connected to the "Bazaar of Vizir" of the city .
There are also two smaller courtyards in the east and west of the Caravanserai .
