Saveh ساوه |
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city | |
Sardaran square
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Location of Sāveh in Iran | |
Coordinates: 35°01′17″N 50°21′24″E / 35.02139°N 50.35667°ECoordinates: 35°01′17″N 50°21′24″E / 35.02139°N 50.35667°E | |
Country | Iran |
Province | Markazi |
County | Saveh |
Bakhsh | Central |
Elevation | 1,008 m (3,307 ft) |
Population (2011) | |
• Total | 259,030 |
Time zone | IRST (UTC+3:30) |
• Summer (DST) | IRDT (UTC+4:30) |
Website |
www www |
Sāveh (Persian: ساوه, also transliterated as Sāva) is a city in the Markazi Province of Iran. It is located about 100 km southwest of Tehran. As of 2011, the city had a population of 259,030 people.
In the 7th century BC it was a stronghold of the Medes. During the Parthian rule of Persia, it was called Saavakineh, and was one of the main hubs of the empire.
In the Middle Ages, it was a residence of the Dailamites and of the Seljuqs. It was severely damaged by the Mongol invasion in the 13th century; it was restored during the Ilkhanids. Saveh was again sacked by the Timurids, but later grew under the Safavids. It eventually lost much of its importance when Tehran became the official capital of Persia and, in the mid-19th century, many of the inhabitants moved to Tehran.
Saveh has a cold semi-arid climate (BSk) in Köppen-Geiger classification system. Its summers are very hot and dry, while its winters are mild and somewhat rainy.
Outside the city are the fortresses of Esmaeilieh (35 km), Alvir and Ardemin (56 km, on the road to Hamadan), as well as the archaeological sites of Aveh and Alishar.
Saveh produces large amounts of wheat and cotton. It is also well known for its pomegranates and melons. Kaveh Industrial City, the largest industrial city in Iran, is located in Saveh.
According to Iranian tradition, the Magi who visited the infant Jesus traveled from Saveh, and are buried among its ruins. Marco Polo described the tombs of the Magi in his travel book, Il Milione: