Herzl cypress is a huge and old cypress tree, estimated to be between one thousand and three thousand years old. The height of this unique nature is about 30 meters, and it is about 4 meters in diameter.
Herzl cypress is also reminiscent of the Kashmir cypress, which is said to have been planted by the Persian prophet Zoroaster. The Kashmir cypress was destroyed, but the Herzl Manjil cypress has survived and is now one of the three natural monuments of the evergreen province of Gilan. This tree depicts the greatness of creation along with the historical antiquity of this province. Although this cypress is registered in the list of natural monuments of the country, 16 years earlier than the cypress of Yazd, but it remains unknown to many people.
Herzl's name goes back to a village of the same name. This village has been destroyed after the Rudbar and Manjil earthquakes. After the devastating earthquake of 1990, many people in Herzl moved to this cypress, and as a result, the new village of Herzl was formed years later. The people of this village also consider this cypress sacred. This old tree has become a natural and permanent landscape for the people of Herzl. In the month of Muharram, a ceremony is held around this cypress. The villagers tied green cloth to the trunk and placed coins in its slits before it was fenced.
Herzl Cypress is seen in Nasser al-Din Shah's travelogue to France. The name of this ancient nature is also mentioned in Nasser Khosrow's travelogue.
The road to Herzl also has unique beauties. When you go the road up, which is toward the mountain, behind Manjil garrison, you will see big Cypress trees that have been bent in the wind.
Herzl village is located in the city of Manjil in Gilan province. The Herzl Cypress National Natural Site, with an area of 625 hectares, has been added to the area under the management of the Environmental Protection Agency.