Damqan
|
Damghan دامغان |
|
|---|---|
| city | |
 Damghan
|
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| Coordinates: 36°10′06″N 54°20′53″E / 36.16833°N 54.34806°ECoordinates: 36°10′06″N 54°20′53″E / 36.16833°N 54.34806°E | |
| Country |
 Iran
|
| Province | Semnan |
| County | Damghan |
| Bakhsh | Central |
| Population (2006) | |
| • Total | 57,331 |
| Time zone | IRST (UTC+3:30) |
| • Summer (DST) | IRDT (UTC+4:30) |
Damghan (Persian: دامغان, also Romanized as Dāmghān) is the capital of Damghan County, Semnan Province, Iran. At the 2006 census, its population was 57,331, in 15,849 families. It is situated 342 kilometres (213 mi) east of Tehran on the high-road to Mashad, at an elevation of 1,250 m (4,101 ft). It is one of the oldest cities on the Iranian plateau, stretching back 7000 years, and boasts many sites of historic interest. The oldest of these is Tappeh Hessar, lying to the southeast of the city, which holds the ruins of a castle dating from the Sassanid period.
The Tarikhaneh is one of the oldest mosques in Iran, built as a fire temple during the Sassanid dynasty it was converted into a mosque after the advent of Islam. There are also many other historical buildings belonging to Seljuks and other periods. Apart from its historical interest, the city today is mainly known for pistachios and paper almonds (kaghazi) with very thin shells.
The name Damghan comes from "Deh" and "Moghan". "Deh" means village and "Moghan" means Magi. This name was given by Zoroastrians, who included such people as King Cyrus and Darius of ancient Persia. Historiographers ascribe the construction of Damghan to Hooshang, Keyumars' great grandson and the founder of the legendary Pishdadi dynasty. The historical town was called Qumis, which was located in a region of the same name, stretching from Sabzevar to Garmsar, from north up to Alborz Mountain Range and to the Lut Desert in the south. Up to the 1st century AD, Damghan was the capital of that great province.
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