TEHRAN – Iranian Tourism Minister Seyed Reza Salehi Amiri visited Golgan’s Great Wall on Thursday, where he began construction of the first official visitor information centre for the site, considered an important milestone towards the final nomination of the wall for UNESCO World Heritage Status.
Located in the village of Kalehique Bozorg in Golestan, the new centre aims to promote historical awareness, support cultural tourism, and lay the foundation for the international recognition of Marvel during this ancient Sasanian era.
“The Great Wall of Golgan is not only a physical monument, but a living testimony to the ingenuity and depth of civilization of the Iranian people,” Salehi Amiri said during his visit. “This initiative reflects our strategic commitment to maintaining and promoting our legacy, while still making it accessible to both national and international audiences.”
The 332-square-meter structure spans 900-square-meter land, the visitor centre is built with inspiration from the military architecture of Sasania. It is designed to integrate research, conservation, education and tourism services.
Planned features include films and auditoriums, archaeological exhibits, galleries of photographs and documents, handicraft stalls, cultural product shops, and prayers and tea rooms to provide visitors with a rich experience of the site.
Along with the visiting ministers were Governor Governor Ali Asgar Tamasevi, Congress representative Abdul Jalal Eiri, and Prime Minister Feredun Fari of the local heritage and other local officials.
Golgan’s Great Wall is also known as the “red snake” because of its distinctive red bricks, and extends nearly 200 kilometres across northeastern Iran from the Caspian Sea to the Pishkama Mountains. Built during the Sasanian Empire, this is the world’s second-longest continuous defence wall after China’s Great Wall, and is an unparalleled example of ancient Iranian engineering.
Archaeologists believe the walls protect important corridors on the Silk Road, while still serving as a strategic line of defense against northern invasions, perhaps by nomadic groups such as the White Hands. With over 30 forts at regular intervals supported by complex water management systems, it represents one of the most complex and ambitious frontier fortresses of the time.
“The walls are an important link to the wider story of the Silk Road and the result of the construction industry that emphasizes Iran’s role as a bridge between civilizations,” the minister added.
In recent years, Iran’s Ministry of Cultural Heritage has prioritized archaeological research, emergency restoration, digital documents and community involvement to prepare the site for global recognition. The launch of the Qaleh-Jiq-e Bozorg Visitor Center is expected to mark a pivotal step in these efforts.
“This project will help transform once-overlooked monuments into hubs of cultural exchange and public pride,” concluded Salehi Amiri.
This large fortress, also known as the Golgan Wall, is thought to have been built in the 5th or 6th century. This includes sophisticated mud experts and burning brick structures, forts and waterways. It is one of the most important surviving military structures in the ancient world and stands as a testament to the engineering capabilities of the Sasanian Empire.
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