Shahrood City, The tiny continent or the land of five climates

Shahroud city in Semnan province is one of the important tourist cities of Iran, which with a unique collection of different tourist attractions and has a very important role in attracting domestic and international tourists. This city with a collection of historical, cultural, social, natural, and religious monuments attracts thousands of international tourists every year and plays an important role in Iran's tourism.

The various tourist attractions of this city include:

Historical attractions: Agha Mosque, Chaharsouk Bath, Kashana Tower, Shahroud Grand Mosque, Bastam Grand Mosque, and Historical houses,
Cultural attractions: Shahrood Museum, Tomb of Sheikh Abolhasan Kharghani, Bayazid Bastami Tomb, Water Museum,
Social attractions: Shahroud Traditional Bazaar, Shahrokhie Bastam school, Qale Bala village.
Natural attractions: Khar Turan National Park, Abr Forest, Ores Tourism Garden, Sunflower Plain, Kalpoosh Anemones, Various springs and waterfalls, and the best Iranian Grapes Vineyards.

These different features of tourism have turned it into a paradise for tourists.

Why Shahrood city?
- A wide variety of places to visit.
- The unique and beautiful Shahrood nature.
- Turan Shahroud plain hosts part of the last Asian cheetah collars.
- Shahroud is the most beautiful and most populated city in Semnan province.
 Shahroud has one of the most pristine and oldest forests in Iran(Hyrcanian Forests).
- This city is surrounded by desert and forest on one side and many waterfalls and springs on the other side.
- In Shahroud, you can see several different climates such as deserts, mountains, and forests simultaneously.
- Various traditional handicrafts of this city have been registered in the list of spiritual heritage.
and finally
- Due to the presence of plains, sand hills, steppe areas, mountains, etc., which are located in the smallest area, Shahrood is also called the small continent or the land of five climates.


Where is Shahrood?
Shahrood city is located in the middle of the road from Tehran to Mashhad in Semnan province. The distance between Tehran and Shahrood is 410 km and the distance between Shahrood and Mashhad is 511 km. This geographical location has turned Shahrood into a stopover for travelers on pilgrimage tours to Mashhad.

History of Shahroud
Archeological excavations in different parts of the Shahrud Plain indicate the existence of various civilizations from 7000 thousand years ago. The last found discovery In 2006, is 8 thousand years old settlements including some ovens, craft workshops, and other evidence of settlements. This historical city is located at an altitude of 1345 m, at latitude 36°25'N, and longitude 055°01'E. and about 410 kilometers to the east of Tehran. The Alborz mountain range is covered north of this city and from the south is limited to the arid salty deserts. For a unique type of grape which especially cultivated in this city, Shahroud known as the "City of Grapes"

How to get Shahroud
Shahroud is one of the main tourist cities in Iran not only for international tourists but also for local and especially pilgrimage tourists. Shahroud is located in the middle way of Tehran to Mashhad and is an ideal stopover due to its various tourist sites.

There are different options to reach this city.

By bus
How long does it take from Tehran to Shahroud?
Tehran to Shahroud is 411 kilometers and takes about 4 hours and 30 minutes.

Does the bus stop on the road? How long does it take?
They usually have 4 short stops for police traffic control. Due to their schedule, they may stop for lunch or dinner.

Which bus companies offer buses to Kashan?
Three main bus stations in Tehran (South, West, and Beyhaghi) have regular services to Kashan. It costs about 2 - 4 US$(4.24.2022)

What types of buses can serve at this address?
VIP buses with a capacity of 25 and 32 passengers and Scania with a capacity of 44 people are ready to serve

By train
Timetable for trains from Tehran to Shahroud
There are various daily trains from Tehran toShahroud. They depart from Tehran station, normally early in the morning every day, and arrive in Shahroud after almost 6 hours.

Which train companies offer tickets between Tehran and Shahroud?
Raja and Joopar trains are available between Tehran and Shahroud. All companies offer four and six-bed compartment trains

How long is it from Tehran to Shahroud by train?
This train trip from Tehran to Kashan is 580 Km about 6 hours and its cost is about 2-4 US$. Minor delays may occur due to longer stops at stations en route.
High-speed trains reach Shahroud in about 4 hours.

How can you select a seat?
In the Iranian railway system, you choose your seat when you buy your ticket. You can see your exact seat location on your ticket.

What to see in Shahroud

This city has some historical monuments, the most important of which are:

Agha Mosque

Agha Mosque is one of the historical buildings of the Qajar period and one of the important and historical mosques of Shahroud. This religious place is located near the traditional market of Shahrood and has a special place. The different parts of this mosque include the entrance hall, courtyard, porch, numerous naves, old reservoir, cells, and service buildings. This mosque has two parts, winter, and summer, and the entrance of the mosque is decorated with brickwork and stucco decorations.

Iranian Mosques

Jame Mosque of Shahrood

This is the oldest mosque of Shahrood, dating back to the Ilkhanid period. It is considered one of the mosques with a single porch, and various repairs and changes have been applied to it in different historical periods.   The roof of this mosque is decorated with various Iranian domes and arches next to the four different altars of this mosque. This mosque includes one main nave and two eastern and western naves. The area of the mosque is 450 square meters and the foundation of the building is made of rubble stone the domes are made of raw clay and its plan is rectangular and consists of 9 domes.

Chaharsouq Bath

Chaharsouq Bath, the oldest charitable and public building in Shahrood city, belongs to the Safavid period, and various repairs were made to it in the Qajar and Pahlavi periods. This bathroom is roofed with vault and dome coverings, and different glass cups are installed on top of the domes to provide light to the interior space. Baths as one of the charitable buildings in different cities of Iran have had a special position among the people.

Kashaneh Tower

The Kashaneh Tower is a 14th-century monument in Bastam city (just 9 Km from Shahroud). It is located to the southeast of the Bastam Jama mosque. Some of the locals believe it belongs to the Zoroastrians as a fire temple but due to the various documents and the inscription on the building it belongs to the year 700 of the lunar Hijri calendar. André Godard attributes the building to the Ghazan khan and the Ilkhanid era. The tower is 24 meters tall from the inside and 20 meters tall from the outside. Its external shape is a Triacontagon. At the top of the tower, there are two outlines made of large bricks that have inscriptions on them.

Bastam Jameh Mosque

Bastam Jameh Mosque, which is the jewel of a magnificent historical complex in north-central Iran is one of the most beautiful mosques in Iran with a unique Mihrab that amazes and fascinates all visitors. This great mosque is located 200 meters from the Bayazid Bastami mausoleum. The mosque was constructed in the year 706 AH and has been renovated during different periods. The most important part of this mosque is its unique Mihrab which is intricately and artistically adorned with a masterpiece of plaster works.

Historical houses

Historical houses in different cities represent an important part of authentic Iranian art and architecture culture. These historic houses with original architectural decorations and various decorative arts form an important part of the sights of every city. The city of Shahrood displays an important part of its architecture with 6 historical houses from different historical periods.
Among these historical houses, the Yaghmai house from the late Qajar and early Pahlavi periods is one of the most beautiful historic houses in this city. The different parts of this house include the entrance hall, the wooded yard, the large pond, various rooms around the yard, the servants' section, and the wind tower of the house. This historic house has been turned into an anthropological museum.

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Amirieh Bath 

This ancient bath is a relic from the Qajar era and is located in the edifice of Amir Aazam Amirieh, Shahrud. The same comprises two main halls having stone walls and a dome-like brick-made roof. In each of these halls are four beautifully sculptured rounded pillars of stone adorned with floral designs. In addition to this, there is a pool (Hauz) constructed of white stone in the main hall. The doorway and corridor of this bath have also been artistically ornamented.

Cultural attractions
These cultural attractions in Shahrood and abroad represent an important part of the cultural history of the people of Shahrood, which has been formed throughout history.

Shahroud Museum

The Municipality Monument of Shahroud is a historical building that remained from the late Qajar era (1785-1925) and early Pahlavi era (1925-1979) and shows 100 years old architecture from two dynasties. It is changed to a museum with two-part(Archeology and  Anthropology sections) after renovations in 1989.
The oldest artifact in the museum dates back to the 6th millennium BC and was found in Tepe Sang-e Chakhmaq's excavations. The Archeology monuments showcase display artifacts from historical sites in Semnan Province such as Damghan’s Tepe Hissar and Bastam’s Tepe Sang-e Chakhmaq. These items are displayed in six halls and are datable to the 1st, 3rd, 4th and 6th millennia BC as well as the Islamic era.
The second floor is dedicated to the Museum of Anthropology and shows animal husbandry tools, clothes, traditional bread-baking tools, traditional jewelry, handmade textiles, documents and deeds, Persian Passion Play equipment, traditional medical equipment, spinning wheels, smoking tools, old lamps, blacksmith bellows, and Quran manuscripts are on display.

Shahrood Water Museum

Shahrood Water Museum is the first private water museum in the country, which was launched in 2013. The area of this museum is 120 square meters and it is located inside the old building known as Tekieh Berenji. In this museum, there are more than 300 pieces of old and new water-related equipment on display.  These objects are related to the oldest up to the newest inventions and productions related to water, including the old drinking faucet, the aqueduct finder, the measuring cup and dice of the irrigation circuit, the old pumps, etc. These objects belong from about 500 years ago.

Sheikh Hassan Jouri Tomb

Sheikh Hassan Jouri is the most important leader of the people's uprising against the oppression of the Mongols in the Shahrood region.  He was one of the political and religious leaders of the 7th century AH against the Mongols, which ultimately led to the defeat of the Ilkhanids in Iran. This historical and cultural tomb is a symbol of the Iranian people's resistance against the Mongol oppressors in Iran. This tomb is located in the village of Kalateh Mir Alam-e-Firooz Abad, Shahrood. A simple monument with no decoration made of sun-baked bricks. Alongside this tomb are the remnants of the castle, tower, and ramparts of Joori city.

Bayazid Bastami's Shrine

The tomb of the most famous Sufi leader of the third century is located 6 km from Shahrood city and in Bastam city. This religious historical building is one of the most important places of worship for the people of this region, which attracts many tourists every year. Bayazid Bastami with the epithet of Sultan-ul-Arifin (King of the Mystics), is the greatest mystic of century 3 AH and lived between 161 (777 AD) and 234 (848 AD) AH. Known to future Sufis as Sultān-ul-Ārifīn ("King of the Gnostics"), Bisṭāmī is considered one of the exponents of the state of fanā, the notion of dying in mystical union with Allah. Bastami was famous for "the audacity of his expression of the complete absorption of mysticism into mysticism.

Abbas Abad Caravansary

One of the 999 Safavid Carevanseraies in the way the Silk Road made by the order of Great Shah Abbass Safavid king. This Safavid caravansary or inn is located 120 Km from Shahroud in the village of Abbas Abad. The structure comprises four porches, 32 chambers or rooms overlooking the courtyard, and two large halting areas.

Farumad Jameh Mosque, A journey deep into the history

If you are looking for lost stories and plan a trip to the depths of Iran's history and stimulate your imagination. This is one of your best options. The fantastic stuccoes, deep vaults, and decorations left over from different eras can take you on a journey back in history. The Farumad Jameh Mosque is near the road between Shahrud and Mashhad, in a town with the same name. This mosque with a two-iwan plan does not have a specific tablet indicating the date of construction. However, based on the similarities between this mosque and the other two-iwan mosques of Khorasan, it is estimated to date back to the Khwarazmian dynasty. The north entrance gate is the most important feature of the mosque and is decorated with bricks, stucco, and tablets. In addition, the South Mihrab of the mosque is ornamented with stucco in turquoise and ultramarine.

Social attractions
If you want to get acquainted with the Shahrood general culture, the following social sites will lead you to the deepest cultural layers of Shahrood society.

Shahroud Bazaar

This Qajar-era Bazaar belongs to a 150-year-old(1785-1925) and is located in the old texture of Shahroud city. This traditional Bazaar like all Iranian Bazaars is roofed and included 260 stores, a number of caravanserais, bathhouses, water reservoirs, and religious schools. The bazaar was registered as a National Heritage Site in 2000.

Shahrokhia Bastam School
Shahrokhia Bastam School is one of the buildings of the Bayazid Bastami historical complex in Bastam. This school is one of the remnants of the Timurid era. This religious-scientific school consists of 28 rooms, a mosque, a porch, and a library on two floors.

Qale Bala village
Qale Bala village is one of the tourist villages in  Shahrood and one of the most beautiful terraced villages in Iran, which is known as the "gateway to Khartoran National Park". This desert village is one of the functions of Biyarajmand district, 140 km from Shahroud city, Semnan province, and its native houses and residences are built in the form of stairs like the village of Masoleh, Gilan. Due to the stepped design of the houses and residences in the foothills, Iranian and foreign tourists It has attracted many.

Why Qala Bala Shahroud village?
- It is one of the terraced villages of the Iranian desert with unique architecture.
- It is located in Khartoran protected area.
- Various natural bubbling springs.
- Due to the lack of light pollution and being in a desert area, it is a good opportunity for night photography from the sky.
- The village has a wonderful view of Biarjmand plain and is one of the tourist villages.

Natural attractions
The special and unique nature of Shahrood has turned this city into a paradise for tourists. Attractive deserts, high mountains, cloudy forests, and other natural features of this region are one of the most important reasons for attracting nature lovers to this region.

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Abr (cloud) Forest

If you are going to walk among the Million tones of clouds that surrounded you Abr forest about 45 km to the North of Shahroud County is the right place that you are searching for. A part of 40-million-year-old Hyrcanian forests located in a village by the name Abr village will guide you to the dense clouds which are running on the mountains. As the temperature falls before the sunset, thick clouds start running through the forest and provide the visitors with a unique and memorable feeling of walking on clouds. It’s where the dream of standing above clouds comes true. To spend the night, you can camp at the heart of the forest. But if you don’t have any camping experience or don’t know the area well, it would be better to stay in the village itself. There are some eco-lodges that rent out rooms. The best time to visit the Abr Forest is from the month of April to the end of September.

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Khosh Yeylaq Wildlife Shelter
Khosh Yeylaq wildlife shelter is located in the northeast of Shahroud town. This region has a special and valuable life variety for having distinct natural views and variable ecosystems including forest, mountain, Caspian Sea humidity, and dry and arid plain ecosystems. It is one of the rarest wildlife shelters in Iran.

Reza Abad Village
The nomadic village of Reza Abad is one of the environs of Biarjemand county of Shahrud town, located at a 240-kilometer distance east of Shahrud and a 120-kilometer distance southeast of Biarjemand. Black tents (Siah Chador) and emigration of nomads, the traditional clothing of men and women, the beauty of desert sky scenery at night on one of the dome-shaped rooftops and spending one night in rural houses, eating local bread and food of Reza Abadi people, exciting Rallies and motorcycle riding on the top of sand hills and adventurous desert surfs in the vast desert of neighboring areas such as Do-Shakh desert of Abbas Abad and Mazinan desert are from the memorable scenes of this village.