One of the most important trade routes in Asia is the Silk Road, which connects different nations and civilizations along the way. The Silk Road still exists and is in operation, but it may no longer have the glory of the legendary past. This legendary road passed through South Asia, North Africa and the European continent and has seen many traders and merchants who have crossed the road to exchange goods and cultures.
History of Silk Road in Iran
The name Silk Road refers to a network of trade routes that connected China and Europe from the third century BC. But the emergence of the Silk Road dates back to the early Parthian period. During the Sassanid era, trade on the Silk Road and receiving customs duties from them was one of the ways in which the Sassanid government came from this road and from merchants and caravans. Meanwhile, Iranian traders of medicinal and honey plants, carpets, precious stones and high quality fabrics have been the most traded through this road. You may be interested to know that the biggest customers of Iranian businessmen were the Chinese.
One of China’s most important exports to Iran has been silk fabrics, which have even become a common currency. From the pre-Christian era to the Safavid era, this route has been one of the main trade routes in Asia and perhaps the world. In different periods, several side roads have either joined or branched off from the main road. Therefore, during these commercial communication networks, various buildings, villages and cities have been built and used for those who passed through it.
Some of these cities are still alive and well. For example, from Mashhad and Rey, we can mention these cities that are still alive. But many of these cities have now become ruins or ancient hills. Among the buildings of this route, we can mention Sharaf Caravanserai, Ahavan Caravanserai, Ghosheh Caravanserai, Biston Caravanserai and Biston and Khatoon stairs.
The Silk Road in Iran
At the same time, it should be noted that due to the high traffic of this road, important inscriptions and reliefs have been dug on the mountains and cliffs on the side of this road, in which the order of advertisements and online advertisements for traders today It has taken time. The most important of these ancient advertisements are relief in Sarpol-e Zahab, Kermanshah, which is the oldest relief in Iran, or Biston’s relief near Kermanshah, and Fath Ali Shah Qajar’s relief next to Ali Rey spring, which is carved on Bahram Choobin’s relief.
It is worth mentioning. Of course, historically, you should know that the goal of the Iranians at that time was not only to trade silk, but also to weaken the Roman Empire. Of course, the Byzantine leaders did not remain silent in the face of this policy of Iran and wanted to confront it, but it remains inconclusive that its explanation, of course, is not in the scope of this discussion.
The Silk Road in Iran has been imported to Khorasan today based on the East-West axis and has reached the ancient Rey through the cities of Toos, Neishabour, Sabzevar, Shahroud, Damghan, Semnan, and from Rey, which was a large city, to Qazvin and from there to two branches. It has been. From Qazvin, one way was to the northwest, Sarab, Tabriz, Marand, then Khoi, and out of the country, and the other way was to the west, that is, to Hegmataneh (today’s Hamedan) and then Kermanshah, and out of the country.
New Silk Road
Currently, the World Assembly of Silk Road Cities in Qazvin as an international cultural, economic and tourism center in Iran under the supervision of the Accommodation Program Agency with the aim of constructive interaction and cooperation with 300 cities from 73 countries on the Silk Road it is formed. The goal of this organization is to achieve the sustainable goals of business development with cultural, economic and tourism organizations, which was established in 2016 in Saad Al-Saltanah Caravanserai in Qazvin.
On May 16, 2017, during a ceremony in China with 30 world leaders in attendance, a new Silk Road was opened in China to create new opportunities for China’s economic opportunities, which is currently one of the world’s economic powers. The new Silk Road provides a new opportunity for countries to expand their trade from Asia, Europe and Africa.
Silk Road Tour in Iran
As you know, Iran has been one of the best and most attractive tourist destinations in the world. From what we have said about the Silk Road as an ancient trade route, many countries consider this route as an attractive route for international tourists.
Iran, which has long been a trading power along the way, could do the same. Iran has strong potential to attract international tourists. Evidence of this claim can be found in the ancient network of routes and caravanserais of Iran with breathtaking natural landscapes reminiscent of ancient times. It is also good to know that the hospitality and hospitality of the Iranian people is now very famous all over the world and tourists have always enjoyed traveling to Iran.
