Iran's Zanjan nominated for UNESCO Creative Cities Network

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has nominated Iran’s northwestern city of Zanjan as a new member of the Creative Cities Network.

According to the provincial officials, Zanjan is named qualified for the UNESCO Creative Cities designation since it is home to a wide variety of cultural intangible heritage.

The city also produces a wide range of local handicrafts and holds several international and national tourism festivals.

The inclusion of Zanjan in this network can provide a unique opportunity for the development of tourism in the city and province of Zanjan.

It can also strengthen global cooperation on sustainable urban development.

Founded by Sassanid King Ardashir I, Zanjan is home to Katale-Khor caves, colorful mountains, Gonbad-e Soltaniyeh, and the UNESCO-registered Takht-e Soleiman.

The 14th-century Gonbad-e Soltaniyeh is highly recognized as an architectural masterpiece particularly due to its innovative double-shelled dome and elaborate interior decoration.  

According to UNESCO, the mausoleum’s interior decoration is so outstanding that scholars like Arthur Pope, American expert on Iranian art, have described the building as “anticipating the Taj Mahal”.

In January 2020, Zanjan was designated as a “world city of filigree” by the World Crafts Council after the WCC assessors visited various craft workshops, stores, exhibits, and bazaars of the city in a two-day itinerary in December 2019.

MM/FM