Hamadan history

Hamadan is one of the oldest cities not only in Iran but in the entire world, with a history rooted deep in the centuries. Its past is inextricably linked with great empires and key trade routes that shaped the face of the ancient world.

Foundation and First Mentions. It is believed that the city was founded by the Medes. The ancient Greek historian Herodotus claimed that Hamadan, then known as Ecbatana, became the capital of the Median Kingdom in the late 8th century BC. The name "Hamadan" derives from the ancient word "Hagmatana," which means "place of gathering," highlighting its initial role as a centre for uniting tribes.

Key Factors of Establishment. The city owes its rise largely to its strategic location. Situated at the foot of Mount Alvand in the Zagros Mountains, Ecbatana controlled a vital pass connecting Mesopotamia with the Iranian Plateau. Over time, this route became part of the Great Silk Road, transforming Hamadan into a major centre of trade and cultural exchange between East and West. The political significance of the city persisted for centuries: it served as the summer capital for the Persian kings of the Achaemenid dynasty, and later for the Parthian rulers.

Early Cultural and Economic Features. As the capital of mighty Media, Ecbatana was renowned for its wealth and grandeur. Legends passed down by Herodotus described a city surrounded by seven concentric walls, each painted a different colour. Although archaeological confirmation of this detail is still being sought, the very existence of such descriptions speaks to the city's high status. The economy flourished due to control over trade routes and its status as an imperial residence. The city is also mentioned in the Bible as the place where the decree of King Darius permitting the reconstruction of the temple in Jerusalem was found.

Key Milestones in the History of Hamadan

The history of Hamadan, known in antiquity as Ecbatana, spans several millennia. The city has witnessed the rise and fall of great empires, remaining an important centre throughout the centuries.

• Around 700 BC — Foundation of the city under the name Ecbatana, which becomes the capital of the Median Kingdom.
• 550 BC — The city is conquered by the Persian King Cyrus the Great, and Ecbatana becomes one of the capitals and the summer residence of the rulers of the Achaemenid Empire.
• 330 BC — Alexander the Great captures Ecbatana, where a significant portion of the Persian treasury was stored.
• 2nd Century BC – 3rd Century AD — During the Parthian and Sassanid eras, the city retains its status as an important administrative and trade centre, serving as a summer capital for Parthian kings.
• 642 AD — Hamadan is conquered by Arabs during the Battle of Nahavand, marking the beginning of the Islamisation of the region.
• 10th–11th Centuries — The city becomes the residence of the Buyid dynasty; during this period, the distinguished philosopher and physician Avicenna (Ibn Sina) lives and works here, whose mausoleum is one of the main attractions today.
• 11th–12th Centuries — The Seljuks make Hamadan their capital, leading to a new flourishing of the city.
• 1220 — The city suffers a devastating invasion by the Mongols, which deals a serious blow to its development.
• End of the 14th Century — Hamadan is destroyed again by the troops of Tamerlane (Timur), after which it falls into decline for a long time.
• 16th–17th Centuries — During the reign of the Safavid dynasty, the city gradually recovers and regains importance as a trade centre on the Great Silk Road.
• 18th Century — The city is temporarily captured by the Ottoman Empire, becoming an arena of struggle between Persia and the Ottomans.
• 1915–1918 — During World War I, Hamadan becomes a battleground between Russian and Turkish-German forces before finally returning to the control of the Iranian government in 1918.

Stages of Hamadan's Development: From Antiquity to Modernity

The history of Hamadan is a kaleidoscope of eras, in each of which the city played its own unique role. Key transformations in its economy, culture, and appearance formed the Hamadan we know today.

• Ancient Capital and Silk Road Hub. Initially known as Ecbatana, the city was the capital of the Median Kingdom, and later the summer residence of the Persian kings of the Achaemenid dynasty. Its strategic position on the Great Silk Road determined its economic prosperity and status as a centre of cultural exchange for many centuries.
• Centre of Science in the Golden Age of Islam. In the 10th-11th centuries, Hamadan became home to one of the greatest minds of humanity — Avicenna (Ibn Sina). His residence and work turned the city into an important scientific and philosophical centre, securing its status as the cultural capital of the region.
• Capital of the Seljuk Empire. In the 11th-12th centuries, becoming the capital of the western part of the Seljuk Empire, Hamadan experienced a new round of urban and cultural development. During this period, many important structures were erected, strengthening its metropolitan status.
• Destruction and Long Recovery. The Mongol invasion in 1220 and the subsequent campaign of Tamerlane in the 14th century practically wiped the city off the face of the earth. These events became a tragic turning point, after which Hamadan lost its former grandeur for several centuries and began a long path to revival.
• Revival of Crafts and Trade. During the reign of the Safavid dynasty (16th–17th centuries), the city gradually restored its importance as a vital trade and craft centre. Local carpets, ceramics, and leather goods gained particular fame, contributing to economic growth.
• Modern Urban Planning. In 1928–1933, a large-scale reconstruction of Hamadan was carried out according to the design of the German architect Karl Frisch. He developed a radial-circular plan for the city centre, where six streets radiate from the main square. This project radically changed the appearance of the medieval city and laid the foundation for its modern structure.
• Educational and Tourist Centre. In the second half of the 20th century and today, Hamadan strengthened its status as an important educational centre thanks to the opening of several universities. Simultaneously, the city became one of the key tourist destinations in Iran, attracting travellers with its rich history, archaeological monuments, and mausoleums of great figures of the past.

The architectural appearance of Hamadan represents a unique combination of ancient heritage, Islamic traditions, and modernist urban planning solutions of the 20th century. Each era has left its mark on the structure and aesthetics of this ancient city.

Pre-Islamic and Early Islamic Periods

From ancient Ecbatana, the capital of the Median Kingdom, mainly archaeological layers on Hegmataneh Hill have survived to our days. Subsequent eras and destruction left almost no monumental structures from that time. With the arrival of Islam, Hamadan's architecture began to develop in line with Persian-Islamic traditions. One of the most important surviving monuments of this period is the Alaviyan Dome (Gonbad-e Alaviyan). Built in the 12th century during the Seljuk era, it is a masterpiece of brickwork and intricate stucco carving with elegant geometric and floral ornaments. This building is a vivid example of the sophistication of Seljuk architecture.

From the Middle Ages to the Qajar Era

After the devastating Mongol invasions, the city took a long time to recover. During this period, architecture focused on functional buildings: caravanserais, mosques, and the traditional bazaar, which remains an important commercial centre today. The Hamadan Bazaar, with its covered alleys and domed vaults, dates primarily to the Qajar period (18th–19th centuries) and reflects the classic structure of an eastern market, where trading rows were formed by types of crafts.

20th Century Modernisation: The Karl Frisch Plan and Pahlavi Era Architecture

A radical transformation of Hamadan's appearance occurred in 1928–1933. On the initiative of the authorities, the German engineer Karl Frisch developed a new master plan for the city centre. The basis was a radial-circular system inspired by European urban planning of the Baroque era. From the central circular square (today Imam Khomeini Square), six main streets radiate outwards, creating a unique urban structure for Iran. This plan was superimposed on the old network of narrow and winding streets, symbolising modernisation and a departure from the medieval arrangement of the city.

A landmark building of this era became the new Mausoleum of Avicenna, built in 1952 according to the design of architect Houshang Seyhoun. Its architecture is a striking example of Iranian modernism. The spindle-shaped tower of the mausoleum, 23 metres high, is a direct reference to the Gonbad-e Qabus tower tomb (11th century) but is executed in modern materials. Twelve columns supporting the tower symbolise the 12 fields of knowledge mastered by the great scholar. Thus, ancient Persian motifs and principles of modern architecture are harmoniously combined in this structure.

Distinguished Figures Associated with Hamadan

Throughout its centuries-old history, Hamadan has been the birthplace and place of activity for many prominent scholars, poets, and statesmen. Their legacy continues to constitute an important part of the city's cultural heritage today.

• Avicenna (Ibn Sina) (c. 980–1037) — the great Persian philosopher, physician, and polymath. Although he was not born in Hamadan, it was here that he spent a significant part of his life, served as a vizier at the court of the local emir, wrote many of his works, and was buried. His mausoleum is the main symbol of the city today.
• Badi' al-Zaman al-Hamadhani (969–1007) — an Arab writer and poet born in Hamadan. He is considered the creator of the "Maqama" genre — short stories in rhymed prose that became classics of Arabic literature. His epithet "al-Hamadhani" directly indicates his origin.
• Baba Tahir Oryan (11th century) — a Persian mystic poet, one of the most revered Sufi authors. He was born and lived in Hamadan. His simple yet profound quatrains (dubayti), written in the local dialect, enjoy immense popularity in Iran. The Mausoleum of Baba Tahir is one of the key attractions of the city.
• Rashid-al-Din Hamadani (c. 1247–1318) — a statesman, physician, and historian of the Ilkhanid era (the Mongol dynasty in Iran). Born in Hamadan to a Jewish family, he reached the post of Grand Vizier. His main work, "Jami' al-tawarikh" ("Compendium of Chronicles"), is one of the most important sources on the history of the Mongol Empire and the medieval world.
• Esther and Mordechai — Biblical figures revered in Jewish tradition. According to centuries-old traditions, their tomb is located in Hamadan. This mausoleum is a vital place of pilgrimage for Iranian Jews and testifies to the ancient history of the city's Jewish community.
• Mirzadeh Eshghi (1894–1924) — an Iranian poet, playwright, and journalist born in Hamadan. He was a prominent representative of Iranian modernism and the constitutional movement of the early 20th century. His fiery poems and political satire had a great influence on the public thought of that time.
• Ehsan Yarshater (1920–2018) — a distinguished Iranologist, historian, and linguist of the 20th century, born in Hamadan. He is the founder and editor-in-chief of the fundamental "Encyclopædia Iranica" — one of the most authoritative academic projects in the field of Iranian studies.