Tehran – Sassanid architecture rescuers were identified during an archaeological excavation at Jamemosk, Urmia, Western Azarbaijan, the state tourism director said.
Morteza Safari added that the Cultural Heritage Division of Western Azarbaijan has set its agenda for excavations at a place of worship, one of the oldest mosques in the Azarbaijan region, with cooperation and oversight from the Institute of Cultural Heritage.
The mosque was renovated at various times, he said.
Safari said Iran is a civilized country with many monuments and sites. Western Azarbaijan boasts valuable monuments, sites and hills, he added.
Western Azarbaijan has nearly 1,400 historic hills and grounds, he said. Additionally, he said 1,835 historic monuments are listed on the National Heritage List. He added that there are five global monuments listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
As pointed to the excavations carried out at Kalaichi (or Galaichi) Hills and Chapalabad Dam, “Serious research and excavations were carried out in the area as the historic site of Kalaichi was drained and flowed into the water forever due to the construction of the Chalabad Dam.
Apart from the archaeological excavations, he said 30 renovation projects had been carried out by the Department of Cultural Heritage in Western Azarbaijan in Iran last year. He added that good works have been made in the cultural heritage sector and tourism infrastructure through domestic and state credits worth domestic and state credits ($1.4 million).
He continued that there were 200 related documents in the registration queue.
Safari called for the acquisition and release of several historic monuments in Western Azerbaijan, taking important steps taken by the Cultural Heritage Department of West Azabaijan. They were owned by other executive bodies, such as the Ministry of Education, he added.
He explained that the 22nd Berman School, located in Imam Square in Urmia, has a construction area of 4,000 square meters and 2,400 square meters on the third floor. Now it has transformed into a museum in Urmia, he added.
Safari pointed to the acquisition of the ancient school in Hedayat, adding that the school was transformed into a handicraft house after undergoing renovation measures.
Furthermore, Ansari historians, dating back to the Kajal era, have been handed over from the Ministry of Education. The first phase of the renovation is currently in place, he said.
Also, as one of the historical monuments dating back to the late Qajar period, the Maku real estate building was freely arranged in the cultural heritage sector of West Azarbaijan.
There are 1,400 hills and ancient sites protected by staff from a 50-person conservation unit, and staff added that it is not enough to preserve the monument. Therefore, he added that people need to participate and preserve their sites and monuments.
KD