Mount Alvand

Mount Alvand is a massif of the Zagros mountain range which is located in front of the city of Hamadan (region of the same name) and is considered the most important natural phenomenon of the secondary geological era of Iran (Mesozoic); some rocks are traced back to over a hundred million years ago.

Mount Alvand includes high peaks - the highest of these is "Alvand" (height equal to 3574 meters above sea level) - valleys and green grasslands, rivers, springs and abundant flora and fauna; the conquest of its peaks represents one of the most interesting activities for climbers and rock climbing enthusiasts.

In ancient Iranian texts, this mountain is referred to by names like: "Arvand", "Aurvant"; a person is said to be buried here whose name was "Arvand" and therefore the mountain was so named. At the top of the mountain there is also a crack enclosed by stones called "Shah Alvand" and some believe that this place is the mausoleum of Sem, son of Noah (A).

A little further down is the Nabi (Prophet's) spring (A) which, due to being close to Shah “Alvand”, has become known by this name. Among the other attractions of the area there is the "cradle of Mary"; a polyhedral and rounded stone slab that looks just like a cradle and among the locals it is known precisely as the cradle of the Virgin Mary (A).

In this area there are also some historical sites of considerable interest such as the rock inscriptions of Ganjnameh (relating to the Achaemenid era) and the famous fortress "Dokhtar". Other popular attractions include small shrines in the heart of the mountain.