Bandar-e Anzali

Iran is a country with four seasons and very historical. You can see some of the oldest and most interesting historical buildings and the most special geographical and natural conditions in the world in Iran.

If there is a place where both of these conditions happen together, it can only be achieved in Iran. A place with the size of a city and 15,000 years of history. This special and rare spot is nowhere but Bandar-e Anzali located in Gilan province in the north of Iran.

Let's go and get to know Anzali more, better and more precisely.

What does Anzali mean?

Various meanings and interpretations for Anzali can be seen in Persian dictionaries. But perhaps the best and most correct one is anchorage, which describes the environmental conditions of this city well. For a short period of time during the Pahlavi era, it was called Bandar-e Pahlavi, but after the 1979 revolution in Iran, the original name of Anzali was again given to this city.

History of Anzali:

If we want to check the written history of this city, it should be said that the first mention of Anzali can be seen among the books of the 9th century AH (15th century CE), where it is mentioned as a small coastal village. But definitely the history of human life in this region is more than this. According to biologists and geologists, humans have probably lived in Anzali for thousands of years, but due to the presence of the Caspian Sea in the north and the Alborz mountain range in the south, they have had less contact with the outside world. Over time, during the Safavid era and with the increase of political and economic relations with Russia and Europe, Anzali port became more and more important and expanded. With the peak of relations between Iran and Russia during the Qajar period and the movement of thousands of tons of goods from this port, Anzali became famous as “Europe Gateway” and various roads were built from it to the surrounding cities. This boom and prosperity of Anzali port has continued until today to the point where this city is considered one of the economic, cultural, commercial, transportation and sports hubs of Iran.

Anzali Trade-Industrial Freezone, which is a place for economic growth and prosperity, was formed in 2004 and has provided a lot of prosperity to the people of the region. So people travel here from the central, eastern and western provinces of Iran to trade.

The nature of Anzali:

Anzali is one of the rainiest cities in Iran and the world. So that it has been nicknamed "Rain City". Anzali has 45 kilometers of coast and its climate is rainy and the whole city is green and full of forests. Frequent rainfall and high humidity have caused the Anzali Lagoon to form in this area, which is 15,000 years old, and forms an ecosystem that is unique in its kind in the whole world. A lagoon with an area of 20,000 hectares that divides Anzali Port into two parts and even has several islands. This place is the habitat of some of the most special and beautiful plants and animals with more than 100 animal species and 60 plant species. All kinds of pelicans, herons, ducks, grebe, etc, in the category of birds - all kinds of sturgeon fish - all kinds of plants that grow on the edge and on the water, of which the lotus is the most famous, are only a part of this special ecosystem. One of the most attractive pastimes of the city is boating on Anzali Lagoon. Unfortunately, climate change has caused environmental threats to Anzali Lagoon.

It is interesting to know that one of the most equipped and special aquariums in Iran and the Middle East is also located in Anzali Free Zone and you can spend unforgettable moments there.

Does Anzali also have historical monuments?

According to today's concept and definition, Anzali is considered a new city and its oldest building dates back to 1815. Of course, 200 years is too much, but it is considered very modern compared to other thousand-year-old buildings in Iran. This building is a lighthouse that is located in the center of the city.The tallest building in the city was Shams-ol-Emareh of Anzali, which was built by Naser al-Din Shah and was 5 stories high (one of the tallest buildings built in the Qajar era), but it was destroyed a few years later by the Pahlavi government, and today a large pond can be seen in its place.Baths, banks, houses of Qajar nobles, mosques, old hotels, bazaars, etc. constitute the old buildings of the city, each of which has its own charm. Most of these buildings are designed and built based on a combination of 19th century European architecture and traditional elements of Iranian architecture.

The best of Bandar Anzali:

* Anzali is considered the third largest port of Iran and hosts a large dock for mooring cargo ships with thousands of tons of cargo, as well as a base for the Iranian Navy.

* The rainiest city in Iran

* The second largest and most populated city in Gilan province

* Anzali wetland is one of the largest and most valuable wetlands in the world.

* One of the densest cities in Iran

* One of the most important football centers in Iran and Asia

* One of the important economic centers of Iran and the Middle East

Bandar-e Anzali has beautiful nature (sea on one side and forest on the other), authentic people, interesting history and unique atmosphere. All Iranians are counting the moments to see Anzali. So don't miss this trip!!!