Iran Shines Bright: Among Top 10 Nations for UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Says Minister
Iran stands out as one of the top 10 countries globally, renowned for its rich cultural heritage and numerous UNESCO-inscribed properties. During a recent visit to historical sites in Zanjan, Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts, Seyyed Reza Salehi-Amiri, shared insights about Iran’s significant achievements in this area.
According to Salehi-Amiri, Iran boasts an impressive total of 29 tangible and 28 intangible elements recognized by UNESCO. With an additional 57 items on its national tentative list, Iran is uniquely positioned to nominate at least one site for global inscription each year for decades to come.
Despite this remarkable standing, the minister noted that Iran’s ranking could have been even higher if not for a significant pause in the nomination process that lasted approximately 20 years due to the impacts of the 1979 Islamic Revolution and the Iran-Iraq war. He remarked, “If that interruption had not occurred, Iran would now be among the leading countries in the world [in that regard].”
Salehi-Amiri highlighted several Iranian dossiers awaiting review for potential UNESCO inscription, including:
- Alamut Castle
- The historic village of Masuleh
- A collection of centuries-old mosques
- Other significant sites
With over one million identified heritage elements and 43,000 nationally registered sites, Iran holds a vast potential for “hundreds more” international nominations in the future.
In his remarks, the minister also emphasized the heritage potential of Zanjan province, which is home to the UNESCO-listed Soltaniyeh Dome. He described the Zanjan bazaar as one of the most dynamic historic markets in the country, suggesting it could be considered for a future nomination focused on Iranian historic bazaars.
Salehi-Amiri elaborated on the importance of these markets, stating that they are integral to traditional urban life and serve as attractions for both domestic and international tourists. “These spaces are connected to daily urban living and create significant appeal for tourists,” he added.
Moreover, he pointed out that Zanjan now offers a more diverse tourism profile than before, with natural and historical attractions capable of enticing visitors to stay for several days. For instance, a visit to Soltaniyeh alone warrants a half-day, and additional cultural, natural, handicraft, and local tradition assets could establish a comprehensive tourism route.
The Iranian government has set a goal to increase the number of museums from the current 800 to 1,000 by the conclusion of Iran’s Seventh National Development Plan, with Zanjan being identified as one of the provinces with the highest potential for museum development.
Among Iran’s 28 UNESCO-listed intangible heritage elements are:
- Nowruz
- The Sadeh celebration
- The art of crafting and playing the rabab
- Turkmen-style needlework
- The art of illumination (Tazhib)
- The art of miniature
- Chogan, a horse-riding game with music and storytelling
- Traditional carpet-weaving skills in Fars
As for Iran’s 29 UNESCO World Heritage sites, they include:
- The Armenian Monastic Ensembles of Iran
- Bam and its Cultural Landscape
- Bisotun
- The Cultural Landscape of Maymand
- Golestan Palace
- Lut Desert
- Pasargadae
- Persepolis
- The Sheikh Safi al-Din Khanegah and Shrine Ensemble
- The Shushtar Historical Hydraulic System
In summary, Iran’s rich cultural heritage and significant potential for future UNESCO nominations underscore its role as a prominent player in the global cultural landscape.
