History
Mād-e Bozorg, the state of Jebāl or ʿErāq-e ʿAjam, is a land that in ancient times, Markazi Province was part of it. This province is famous for being the industrial capital of Iran, with its history dating back to the Medes period. It is worth mentioning that Amir Kabir, born in Hazaveh village, is from this province.
Geography
Bordered by Tehran, Alborz, Qazvin, Hamadan, Lorestan, Qom, and Isfahan, Markazi Province is located between the two mountain ranges of Alborz and Zagros, resulting in a diverse and fascinating biodiversity.
Climate
Its proximity to mountains and deserts has made this province have a diverse and variable climate; a semi-desert climate in cities like Saveh, a moderate mountainous climate in areas like Arak, and a cold mountainous climate in counties like Shazand. Without a doubt, the best time to travel to this province starts from April and continues until September.
Cities of Markazi Province
Arak
The presence of numerous factories for machinery, petrochemicals, aluminum, pipes, and machine parts has turned this city into an industrial hub, yet Arak, with its ancient history and pristine nature, is an amazing destination for tourists. The Four-Season Bath, registered on the National Heritage List and now turned into the Museum of Archeology and Ethnology of Arak, the Roofed Bazaar of Arak, famous for its symmetrical and geometric architecture, and the Shrine of Shah-e Gharib are places and attractions that should not be missed when visiting Arak. Other places and attractions in Arak include Sepahdari School, the largest brick dome in the old texture of the city, built during the Qajar period but in the Safavid architectural style, the Glass Tower or Arak Governmental Palace, Bahonar Forest Park, the Shrine of Pir-e Morad, and the Shrine of Haftad o Do Tan.
Shazand
Bordering Lorestan and Hamadan, Shazand has a mountainous climate and is home to many gushing springs. This city hosts tourists who come to see springs like Sarab-e Abbasabad and Kikhosrow and other attractions.
Mahalat
In addition to the Atashkuh Fire Temple dating back to the Sassanid era, the ancient Nimvar Dam, and the historical bridge of Baqerabad, related to the Qajar period, Mahalat's other popular attractions include Sarcheshmeh Garden and its ancient plane trees. One of the plane trees in this area is two thousand years old. Mahalat is a land of hot springs and a cradle of flowers. Hot springs, located about 15 kilometers away from the city, attract many tourists every year. You can see, smell, and buy any flower that one can imagine from the ornamental flower and plant village of this city, which covers an area of 110 hectares.
Saveh
The main product of Saveh, which dates back to the Sassanid era, is pomegranate and garlic. Among the by-products associated with pomegranate abundant in this city are pomegranate paste and Lavashak (fruit leather). Baloqlu Spring, Jameh Mosque of Saveh, Underground City of Aveh, Hendes Seasonal Waterfall, and Red Mosque are among the attractions of this city.
Accommodations
Amir Kabir Hotel, Zagros Hotel, and Payam Hotel in Arak are comfortable places for tourists to stay. Local accommodations in this province include Khaneye Nakhjir in Naraq, Mirza Taghi Khan Amir Kabir in Arak, Kahnoo Fire Temple in Mahalat, and Shahbazan in Shazand. Mahallat Hot Spring Hotel& Resort and the province's hotels should also be added to these accommodations.
Local Foods
Fesenjan stew, made with Kashk, Milk Aash, Kabab-e Tah Tali (or Kebab Tatali), cucumber soup, Dodar meat soup, Tarkhineh Aash with Shank, Arak Gooshtabeh, Araki shefteh or koofteh, Tafreshi kofteh, Gandana Aash and Patleh Polo should not be missed.
Restaurants
Maks Restaurant, Traditional Mountain Restaurant, Kuh-e Noor, Ghezel Park, HodHod-e Saba, Easy Dizi, Golbaran, and Karen are just a few of the countless restaurants in this province.
Handicrafts
Handwoven carpets of Markazi Province, Saveh Kilim, dating back to the Safavid era, copper smithing, pottery, dyeing, embroidery, wood carving, marquetry, engraving, and sculpture are among the handicrafts which are greatly popular in this province.
Souvenirs
Apart from handicrafts, the name of Fatir bread and Saveh pomegranate ranks first among the souvenirs of this province. Then comes Tarkhineh, which can be found in various cities in the province. Arak's elephant ear, Saroogh carpet, Joozghand (the traditional sweet of Naraq), grapes from Hazaveh village, Sanjan Giveh, Khomein high-quality honey, and finally the flowers of Mahalat are the best souvenirs that can be brought from Markazi Province.
Customs and Traditions
Many ceremonies are held in various cities and villages of Central Province on different occasions, some of which include the Ahvahou ceremony in Khorheh village, the Naghaldi shark festival, and the celebration of the first snow of winter, which is held in most of the cities in the province. The rain-making ceremony in Tafresh, the date palm festival of Ashura in Tafresh, and the Bil Gardani ceremony in Nimvar.
Bil Gardani ceremony is part of the Pahlavani celebrations and takes place in the spring planting season. The men of Nimvar perform a traditional ceremony in which they plow the large Nimvar River, and at the end of this activity, which lasts about a month, when the water reaches the first branch of the river, they hold a traditional celebration with an epic and heroic atmosphere, which is registered in the list of Iran's intangible cultural heritage.
