Just 10 Historical Homes in Lar Make National Registry, Officials Report

In the vibrant historical landscape of Iran, the city of Lar in the southern province of Fars is gaining recognition for its rich cultural heritage. Recently, around 50 historical houses have been identified in the old quarters of Lar, but only 10 of these have made it to the national heritage list. This article delves into the current status of these historical houses and the efforts being made to protect and promote Fars province’s cultural treasures.

The provincial cultural heritage director, Sadeq Zare’, shared insights with ILNA regarding the registration process for these historical sites. He mentioned that while 50 historical houses have been recognized, an additional 40 still need to complete their registration files. This process involves conducting studies and preparing a detailed map according to national registration indicators.

Key points regarding the historical houses in Lar:

• Only 10 out of 50 identified historical houses are on the national heritage list.
• 40 historical houses require a completed registration file to proceed further.
• The registration process involves studies and mapping based on national standards.

In a broader context, Zare’ indicated that Fars province is home to approximately 4,000 historical monuments, which also need national registration files. However, the progress has been hindered due to several limitations:

• Insufficient funding: A lack of credits has impeded the formation of national registration files.
• Expert staff shortage: The absence of qualified experts has further complicated the registration process.

Notably, Fars province boasts over 3,230 nationally registered monuments, accounting for about 10 percent of all such monuments in Iran. This highlights the region’s significance in preserving Iran’s historical architecture and culture.

Last year, Zare’ noted that efforts led to the registration of 90 historical monuments from the province on the National Heritage List. This year, the goal has been set even higher, aiming for approximately 100 additional historical monuments to be registered nationally.

The financial aspect of preserving Fars’ historical monuments has also been addressed. The allocated budget for the national registration of these monuments stands at 660 billion rials (approximately $733,333). In addition to this, a substantial budget has been earmarked from the Social Responsibilities of the Oil Ministry specifically for historical sites in Fars province.

Despite these allocations, Zare’ emphasized the necessity for further funding to facilitate the national registration of historical monuments, alongside the existing budgets designated for archaeological excavations and the protection and restoration of these sites.

Lar’s historical texture is particularly noteworthy, being recognized as the second most valuable historical texture in Fars province, following the renowned city of Shiraz. A significant number of the historical houses in Lar date back to the Qajar era, with some even tracing their origins to the Zand dynasty.

In conclusion, while the historical houses of Lar represent a treasure trove of cultural and architectural significance, there are substantial challenges that need to be addressed in order to ensure their preservation for future generations. Continuous efforts by local authorities and increased funding are critical to achieving the goal of registering and protecting these invaluable historical sites.