Malayer Tourist Attractions

Malayer Baam

The Baam Malayer recreational and tourism complex has been developed at the northernmost point of Malayer, functioning as a green belt and tourist village. This complex features a wide range of facilities, including an indoor amusement park, cable car, monorail, rock climbing wall, skating rink, cycling track, artificial waterfalls, a celebrity museum garden, restaurant, and coffee shop. Situated near Seyfieh Park in Malayer, it attracts both local residents and tourists alike.

Seyfieh Park in Malayer

Seyfieh Park in Malayer is one of the oldest parks in Iran, established in 1925 by Seyf al-Dawlah, the then-governor of the city. A benevolent and philanthropic figure, Seyf al-Dawlah prioritized the development and prosperity of his community. The park was designed by Italian engineers and features a distinctive layout that incorporates Iranian architectural elements in both cruciform and oval shapes. It was created through extensive planting of saplings and the diversion of water from deep wells in the surrounding area.
Visitors to the park can explore several Qajar-era buildings, the tomb of a grandson of Naser al-Din Shah Qajar, an artificial lake, and a 4D cinema. Nestled at the foothills of the Malayer mountains, this garden has consistently been a popular destination for tourists.

Malayer Grand Bazaar

Malayer Bazaar is one of the oldest and most traditional markets in Iran, originating during the era of Sheikh Ali Mirza Sheikh al-Moluk and Mohammad Ali Mirza Dowlat Shah, the sons of Fath Ali Shah and founders of Malayer. The bazaar features several caravanserais and sections that extend in two directions, with notable areas such as Saray Khan and the Quilters' Bazaar holding significant historical value.
The architectural style of Malayer Bazaar is authentic and traditional, influenced by the market designs of the Safavid and Zand periods, similar to the Vakil Bazaar. The roofs throughout the bazaar are constructed with brick cross arches and domes, complemented by skylights positioned above and along both sides of the shops. As a prominent historical and tourist attraction in Malayer, the bazaar consistently draws the interest of visitors and tourists alike.

Lotfalian House and Museum

The city of Malayer boasts approximately 120 historical houses from the Qajar era, each remarkable and capable of serving as a tourist attraction. The Lotfalian House and Museum is a two-story brick structure built on around 1,200 square meters of land. This complex features two courtyards—inner and outer—as well as an elegant reception area with sash doors and windows adorned with colored glass.
One of the most striking features of the house is the underground area known as the "house pool," which includes a stone pool fed by water from an aqueduct. This pool house offers a refreshing escape during the hot summer months. Currently, the Lotfalian House has been converted into the Museum of Culture and History of Malayer, recognized as one of the city’s key attractions.
The Malayer Museum displays a diverse collection of historical artifacts, including bronze objects, pottery, sculptures, and agricultural tools from various historical periods. It is the only museum in Malayer, with another section dedicated to ethnographic items and accessories. Due to Malayer's cool climate in summer, visiting this museum is particularly recommended during spring and summer.

Malayer Seif-ol-Dowleh Mausoleum

Mohammad Mirza, known as Seif al-Dawlah, was a prince of the Qajar dynasty who decided to develop the city of Malayer during a visit. He purchased Malayer from the government with the intention of dedicating the income to building hospitals, schools, and assisting the poor. He constructed a royal garden named Seif al-Dawlah Garden in Malayer, designed in imitation of the Safavid-era gardens in Isfahan (Chaharbagh of Isfahan).
After Seif al-Dawlah's death, he was buried in this garden on a hilltop. A brick mausoleum with a quadrangular plan and a dome-shaped roof was built over his grave, adorned with turquoise tile decorations. Inside the mausoleum, there is a large panel featuring verses from the Quran, along with several photographs of Seif al-Dawlah and his family members. This garden and mausoleum are recognized as significant tourist attractions in Malayer.

Malayer Nushijan Citadel

An Adobe Building of Iron Age

Nushijan is an ancient fire temple and fortress located northwest of Malayer, where archaeologists have identified three distinct layers of civilization. The first layer belongs to the Medes, the second to the Achaemenids, and the third to the Parthians. Within the Nushijan fortress, some of the earliest known coins made of silver have been discovered, dating back to the Median period. These coins were crafted as hollow rings or spiral loops from silver wire and were primarily used within the geographical region of the Medes.
The Nushijan fortress also features stone walls with defensive towers and food storage facilities. Recognized as one of Malayer's key tourist attractions, it showcases unique architectural elements and historical significance.

MirFattah Ice House in Malayer

The MirFattah Ice House in Malayer is a historical structure from the Qajar era, designed as a natural ice storage facility. Constructed by MirFattah, this dome-shaped building is made of brick and features two rows of brickwork that encircle its interior, enhancing its insulation properties. The ice house rises to a height of 12 meters from the ground to the apex of the dome.
The design includes two entrance doors: one leading into a corridor for ice retrieval and the other serving as the main entrance. A staircase connects to the area where ice is stored. This architectural marvel not only exemplifies innovative ancient engineering but also reflects the cultural significance of ice houses in Iran. Other notable examples of similar structures include the Yakhchal Khushti in Meybod and the Duo-Qolwi Yakhchal in Sirjan, which highlight the widespread use of such facilities across the region.

Malayer Mini World

Mini World (World in Miniature) is a remarkable park situated in Malayer, showcasing a variety of elements that represent both Iranian and global symbols, including the Leaning Tower of Pisa, Hafezieh, and Persepolis. Miniature parks like this one present famous buildings and structures from around the world in reduced dimensions, allowing visitors to embark on a quick journey across the globe.
As a key tourist attraction in Malayer, Mini World aims to feature 138 historical, national, and global landmarks at a scale of one-tenth. Currently, among the structures constructed within the park are Persepolis, the Immortal Soldiers of the Achaemenid Empire, Hafezieh in Shiraz, the Tomb of Omar Khayyam, Si-o-se-pol Bridge in Isfahan, the Eiffel Tower in Paris, and the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Additionally, notable miniature structures include the Vesak Bridge in Savadkuh—one of Iran's most magnificent intercity bridges—and the Parthenon Temple in Greece, dedicated to Athena, the goddess of wisdom and art. This captivating park offers a unique opportunity to explore architectural wonders from around the world in one location.

Agh Gol Wetland in Malayer

The Agh Gol Wetland in Malayer is a prominent natural wetland and the largest seasonal wetland in Hamadan province, designated as a protected hunting area. This wetland is situated approximately 20 kilometers northeast of Malayer city, near the village of Kord Khurd, within the southern part of the Nahavand plain.
With dimensions of about 5 kilometers in length, 3.5 kilometers in width, and an average depth of 0.5 meters, the wetland serves as a crucial habitat for migratory birds from regions such as Russia, the Caucasus, and Scandinavia. Its water sources include rainfall, melting snow from surrounding mountains, seasonal streams, and overflow from the Qareh Chay River. The area collects seasonal runoff and features geological formations that are over 40,000 years old.
Agh Gol Wetland has been recognized for its ecological significance and is listed as a national heritage site. It supports a diverse range of vegetation and is home to various species of migratory birds, including flamingos, swans, gray geese, marbled ducks, green ducks, herons, and storks. However, in recent years, the wetland has faced challenges due to decreased rainfall and water resource over-exploitation, leading to significant ecological concerns.

Tomb of Baba Hussein

At the foothills of the orchards in the village of Siyah Kamar in Malayer, there is a tower-like structure known as the Tomb of Baba Hussein. Some believe that this tomb is actually the burial site of one of the prophets of the Children of Israel, Joshua son of Noah. This historical tower features a regular dodecagonal design and is classified among mausoleum towers with a conical dome, referred to as "rak."

Soliman Khan Borbor Fortresses

The Soliman Khan Borbor Fortresses consist of several castles enclosed within a single wall. This adobe structure, dating back to the Qajar era, is the largest fortress in Hamadan province. Located in the village of Islamabad in Malayer, the fortress comprises several distinct sections, including mud-brick towers, an entrance hall beneath the tower, a long corridor resembling a street, the A'zam al-Mulk Fortress, the Mahmoud Khan Fortress, the Soliman Khan Fortress, and a private bathhouse, all situated within the main enclosure. Throughout the fortress, beautiful brickwork and intricate plaster decorations can be observed. This historical site is adjacent to the seasonal Agh Gol Wetland in Malayer.

Malayer Anuj Ancient Castle

The ancient Anuj Castle is situated in the village of Anuj, approximately 35 kilometers southwest of Malayer. This castle, which dates back around eight thousand years, is constructed from clay and mud and is surrounded by extensive tunnels and caves that were likely excavated as secret escape routes for emergencies.
In addition to Anuj Castle, the village boasts other archaeological sites worth exploring. Notable among these is the cemetery in the Qala-Baqer neighborhood, featuring stones adorned with cuneiform inscriptions, as well as several historical watchtowers scattered throughout the village, some of which are several hundred years old.
Anuj Castle, a significant tourist attraction in Malayer, belongs to the Sasanian period and is also known as Yazdgerd Castle. It is believed that at one time, Anuj Castle may have served as a refuge for Yazdgerd III.

Malayer Forest

There are over 4,000 hectares of forest around Malayer, featuring various species such as oak, wild maple, wild pear, sparrow's tongue, wild almond, arjan, and laurel. These forests serve as recreational areas in Malayer during spring and summer.

Villages Surrounding Malayer

In the area surrounding Malayer city, several lush and picturesque villages can be found, including Mishan, Owj Tappeh, Jozan, Kikeleh, Ziraabieh, Sarab Tajr, and Manizan. Each year, the village of Manizan hosts an annual grape syrup festival, where farmers gather to harvest grapes and produce raisins and syrup vinegar in preparation for autumn. Additionally, the residents of these villages are involved in carpet weaving, with the design of carpets from Mishan currently undergoing the process for national heritage registration.

Malayer Caves

Malayer County, due to its high limestone mountains and an average annual rainfall of 350 millimeters, is conducive to the formation of various caves. To date, 15 caves attributed to Malayer have been registered. Notable among these are the Sard Kuh Cave, Gomi Shan Cave, Kasb Cave, Kandelan Cave, Qajar Ab Cave, Sarakuh Cave, and Darreh Farakh Cave, all of which are considered attractions near Malayer. The Darreh Farakh Cave is located close to the village of Jozan. Water drips from the ceiling of this cave, and its floor is muddy and slippery. The Sard Kuh Cave is situated near the village of Soltan Abad at an elevation of 2,240 meters in the Sard Kuh Mountains of Malayer.

Malayer Pari Castle

150 Ancient Graves of the First millennium BC

The Pari Castle, is the birthplace of Karim Khan Zand and dates back to the Zand era. The castle's water supply system resembles that of the Fin Bath in Kashan. Within Pari Castle, 150 graves have been identified, most of which feature gravestones made of volcanic rock with a rectangular shape.
On women's graves, motifs such as a seal and prayer beads, a double-sided comb, a mirror, and a prayer rug are commonly depicted. In contrast, men's graves often display images of seals and prayer beads, a water pipe, a dagger, a shotgun, and occasionally a horse. Above the graves of tribal leaders stands a standing stone, typically illustrating scenes of bringing a water pipe and tea to the tribal chief.
The positioning of skeletons within the graves is such that the deceased is laid on their left or right arm, depending on the time of burial, with knees bent and hands resting on the chest. The method of burial is directly related to the sun's position in the sky, with efforts made to orient the deceased's face toward the sun. Items such as bracelets, necklaces, and rings that were in possession of the individual during their lifetime are also buried alongside the body.

Malayer Gunsepan Hill

Gunsepan Hill, is one of the tallest ancient mounds in Iran, standing at a height of 28 meters, and is located near the city of Malayer. This mound, which is over 6,000 years old, is situated on the Malayer-Boroujerd road and is considered one of the attractions of Malayer.

Lashgar Protected Area

The protected area of Lashgar Malayer consists of three regions: plain, hilly, and mountainous. The mountainous areas provide suitable habitats for animals such as wild goats and sheep, while the hilly regions serve as habitats for species like the Armenian mouflon. The plains are ideal for cultivating vineyards. The presence of seasonal and permanent springs in this region has led to the growth of diverse vegetation. Golparabad is another protected and scenic area in the city of Malayer.

Malayer Mosques

Malayer city and its surrounding villages are home to several beautiful and ancient mosques. Among them, the Haj Qasem Mosque and Ashura Mosque, both over 150 years old, the Seyfieh Mosque located in Seyfieh Park, the Bab al-Hawaij Mosque in the village of Nanj, the Imam Zaman Mosque in the village of Zarbali, and the Montaser al-Molk Mosque in the village of Averzman have all been registered as national heritage sites.

Malayer Springs

Malayer boasts an extraordinary and beautiful natural landscape. This region features mountains, valleys, forests, diverse vegetation, springs, and rushing rivers that attract many tourists each spring and summer. The springs that bubble up from the depths of the valleys and the roaring rivers not only influence the surrounding vegetation but also serve as popular spots for weekend recreation. One of the beautiful areas near Malayer is the Pirvashah region, which has a natural spring and is considered one of Malayer's attractions. With its natural springs, lush forests, and abundant vegetation, Pirvashah is an excellent location for recreation, tourism, and hiking in the summer.