Seymareh’s rich architectural heritage
The historic city of Seymareh (Darreh Shahr), with a history spanning thousands of years, is the largest and most renowned archaeological site in Ilam Province. In recent years, through expert planning and scientific excavations, a new chapter of its historical identity has been unveiled.
Jamal Sheikhi, an archaeologist, wrote in a note, “The historic city of Seymareh is located alongside the modern city of Darreh Shahr. The area of this ancient city was previously estimated at 120 hectares, but through exploratory programs carried out, nearly 22 hectares have been added to this area, bringing it to a total of 142 hectares.”
This ancient city is one of the earliest sites registered on Iran’s National Heritage List of the country. Based on field studies and existing written sources, its origin dates back to the late Sassanid period and early Islamic centuries. However, new findings suggest older evidence, at least from the Parthian era, chtn.ir wrote.
A dossier for the registration of this city in the List of Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO) has been prepared, and a proposed plan for the global registration of the Seymareh landscape and Kabirkuh, centered on the historic city of Seymareh, has been submitted to the Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicraft Ministry.
The historic city of Darreh Shahr is managed by the Seymareh National Research Base, and preservation and organizational programs for its existing artifacts are carried out annually.
Many travelers, geographers, and historians in the early Islamic centuries wrote about the historic city of Seymareh in their books and writings. Additionally, figures such as Sir Henry Rawlinson (1839), Jacques de Morgan (1891), and the Holmes Archaeological Team (1934–1938) conducted studies on this historic city.
To date, 11 archaeological excavation seasons have been conducted in the ancient city of Seymareh. The findings include prominent structures such as a bazaar, streets, a lord’s residence, a caravanserai, and a mosque. Within the boundaries of the historic city, there are also the Chartaqi (an architectural unit consisting of four barrel vaults and a dome) of Sorkhabad and Jahangirabad Castle. Valuable discoveries such as exquisite plasterwork and pottery vessels have also been retrieved.
The Seymareh Mosque is built on a hill in the center of the historic city. This structure has a rectangular shape measuring approximately 40×22 meters. It shares similarities in materials and construction methods with contemporary structures, but the use of decorative gates and extensive plasterwork makes it the most prominent building in this historic city.
The diverse plaster decorations on the walls, arches, and niches of the mosque are among the most significant archaeological findings in this area. These stuccoes are not only artistically outstanding but can also serve as reliable evidence for dating the mosque’s construction, thus helping to determine the period of its building and the lifespan of the historic city of Seymareh.
This structure is located in the northwest of the city and features a courtyard-centered design. Its materials include stone and lime mortar, and the ceilings are covered with saddle-shaped arches.
Situated south of the city and adjacent to the bridge, this building features large reception rooms, water supply systems, and waste disposal facilities, indicating a public function, likely serving as a rest house.
Three main passages have been identified in different directions, with widths varying between 3.5 and four meters. These routes include water channels, stone paving, and, in most cases, roofs.
Additionally, an advanced drainage system, including clay pipes and stone-lined channels, has been found within this city, demonstrating the high level of civilization of its inhabitants.
Considering its rich architecture, extensive history, and documented evidence, the historic city of Seymareh presents a valuable opportunity for UNESCO registration. The proposed plan for the global registration of the Seymareh landscape and Kabirkuh is currently in preparation. With the cooperation of relevant agencies, it is hoped that this historic site will soon showcase Iran’s cultural and historical contributions on the global stage.