Semnan, Iran

Semnan سمنان، سَمَن also known as Saman
City
Imam Soltani mosque
Persian, Semnani
Climate	BWh
Website	www.semnan.ir

Semnan (

At the 2006 census, its population was 124,999 in 36,298 households.[6] The following census in 2011 counted 153,680 people in 45,311 households.^[7] The 2016 census showed a population of 185,129 people in 49,124 households.^[4]

Semnan offers various recreational activities, historical and religious sites, festivals, gardens and parks, centers of higher education, and Semnani culture. The city is as the cultural and political capital of the Semnan Province. The city's main souvenirs are

There are several theories which seek to explain the origin of the name Semnan.

1. Semnan was an ancient pre-
   zoroastrian
   city in which the locals practiced idol-worshipping. Their religion was called samīna, hence the name Semnan.
2. Semnan was an ancient civil establishment by the Scythians, an Iranian people who named their settlement Sakanān.
3. A theory produced by the local people themselves claims the first settlers of Semnan were two of the Prophet Noah's children, Sim An-Nabi and Lam An-Nabi, and that their settlement became known as Simlam; the local people believe that over time the name Simlam turned into Semnan.
4. Semnan was established by the mythical character Tahmuras, and that he named his city Saminā.
5. The ancient regional language was known as Sa ma nān, and that the city of these people took on the name of their language.
6. The name Semnan comes from the phrase sa ma nān, which is supposed to be a corrupted Persian way of saying 'three months of bread.' This phrase traces back to the Semnani women's tradition of cooking three months worth of bread in one day.^[8]

Geography

Geography

The city of Semnan is situated on an alluvial fan at 1,138 metres above

, has historically provided a reliable supply of water for municipal and agricultural consumption. Irrigation methods since ancient times have allowed the people of Semnan to drink clean water, raise livestock such as cattle and sheep, and cultivate diverse crops.

Climate

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Semnan has a

Spring is characterized by mild to warm day temperatures and cold to cool nights. Muinimun Temperatures do not fall below freezing from May to October and rarely do so in March, April and November.[9]

Summers are often hot during the day and mildly warm at night. Summer months remain extremely dry with only trace amounts of rain. Occasionally, moisture from the Caspian Sea passes over the High Alborz. With the right amount of heat and moisture, thunderstorms may develop during the afternoon and evening hours. Though the amount of precipitation is light, these thunderstorms often produce strong and gusty winds with frequent lightning strikes.^{[citation needed]}

Autumn is mostly a transitional season.

History

Pre-Islamic Era

The city of Semnan has historically been one of the fourteen civil establishments of the ancient,

Post-Islamic Era

After the

With the rise of the

Pahlavi Era

The Pahlavi era marked the transition of Semnan into the industrial era. Semnan's original loyalty to the

Historical sites and places of interest

Due to the relatively small size of Semnan when compared to other major

Religious

• Jame'
  Zoroastrian fire temple. This ancient mosque also includes the famous Seljuq minaret with archaic carvings and designs.^[17]
• Imam Mosque (Soltani Mosque) – built under the Qajar dynasty, this mosque is a rare four-terrace mosque. The design of the Imam Mosque utilized the expertise of Iranian architecture of the time, providing all sectors of the complex with equal acoustic sound systems.^[17]
• The Shrine of Sheikh Ala'ed-dowleh Semnani – This shrine was constructed by the
  Sufi
  mystic and poet of Iran.
• Threshold of the
  Shi'a Imam, Imam Hassan.^[18]
• Ziyarah, or Islamic pilgrimage. The mosque is characterized by its massive entrance, stained glass windows, glossy marble flooring, and unique interior design.^[19]
• Ziyarah, or Islamic pilgrimage, with aesthetic tile work and architectural design. The mosque is characterized by its green domes and a massive adobe dome that towers above the complex.^[20]
• Ziyarah, or Islamic pilgrimage.^[19]
• Memorial of the
  murals, and stained glass
  windows.
• Hakim Elahi Mausoleum – Hakim Elahi was a prominent scholar of Islam and philosophy.

• Pehne Hot Springs – a public bath house which uses hot therapeutic waters. These waters are utilized for relaxation as well as hydrotherapy.
• The Gate of the Semnan Fortress – built by the
  Reza Shah Pahlavi
  destroyed the other three entrances and the walls around the old city under the pretext of road construction.
• Semnan Bazaar – the place to buy the souvenirs, handicrafts, appliances, food items, etc.
• Pehne Bazaar – a large and vast center of commerce with multiple wings. Similar to most bazaars in Iran, Pehne Bazaar has almost all the necessities as well as local products.^[17]
• Sheikh Ala'ed-dowleh Bazaar – a traditional center of commerce that carries all the basic necessities as well as tourist items.
• Tadayyon House – a mansion style home of the wealthy class in the
  Azerbaijani architectural design, signature of Qajar era buildings.^[21]
• The Interior Gardens of Semnan (Baghat Dakhil Shahr) – these massive gardens cover the entire southwestern portion of the city in a green, lush, and forested environment. The main trees that dominate the landscape are walnut and pomegranate trees. Within the gardens are numerous creeks trickling along the irrigated paths, as well as traditional adobe brick homes which provide much of the housing for the Maleh district of Semnan.
• The Garden Restaurant – this is by far the most traditional restaurant in the city of Semnan. The Garden Restaurant offers a traditional Iranian cuisine, including local dishes, and an outdoor dining experience. The restaurant features an entrance arch decorated with stained glass mosaic windows leading into a large courtyard filled with fountains, trees, flowers, and running water.
• Qich Qaleh hotel museum - the hotel museum has been built by a construction worker from Qich Qaleh village in Semnan Province. The man, who has turned his own house into the anthropology museum, hosts tourists from all over the country at his local residence.^[22]

Historical innovations

Semnan's proximity to the

The city of Semnan has traditionally been an important center of commerce along the historical Silk Road, and is still an important agricultural, industrial, and cultural center today.

Industrial sector

The production of

Agricultural traditions still persist around and within the city of Semnan. The Golrudbar river, which starts in the Alborz mountains in the north, runs through the western side of the city. With proper irrigation, the municipality has managed to convert the entire southwestern portion of the city into green and lush pomegranate gardens. Around the city, further irrigation of the Golrudbar river and the surrounding creeks and tributaries have provided the proper environment for the cultivation of herbs, eggplants, potatoes, walnuts, and cotton.

Semnan also produces handwoven rugs called Glim. These rugs consist of naturally dyed wools, woven into elaborate tribal and local designs.^[23]

Demography and ethnic influences

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Majority of the city dwellers are Persians. Older Semnan was made up of four main districts: Shaji (Shahjoo), Naasaar, Latibaar and Espanjon (Esfanjan). These four districts still exist today, but the city has grown and become much larger including some new districts. To the west of the city is "Maleh" which used to be a separate settlement but was not a part of Semnan. In the local language the inhabitants are known as Malezh. "Maleh" consists of three parts: Koery (Kodivar), Koshmeni (Kushmaqaan) and Zaveni (Zavaqaan). "Maleh" is now part of Semnan.

As a result of the

Ashura mourning ceremony, by Fausto Zonaro

(1909)

Imam Hussein and his enemies, as well as decorating the local horses in the cavalry uniform of the era. Thus, the battle would be reenacted.^[24] During this month's sorrowful rituals, it is custom to cook a community meal (usually a stew). This is done by placing colossal cauldrons outside upon a source of heat, then, people would take turns stirring the stew until it is ready to be consumed by the community's mourners.^[25]

Unique customs and traditions

Norms

• While the validity of the following has not been verified, some Semnani families have reported that the traditional norms and customs of the city called for a high level of respect and prestigious treatment towards the Sayyid population; in return, the Sayyids were expected to demonstrate a dignified source of emulation and guidance for the citizens. If such norms and traditions existed, it is not clear to what extent they are practiced and carried out in today's Semnan.
• It has also been reported that the people of Semnan have historically refused to wear black clothing for the mourning of the dead, this does not include the religious mournings of
  Shi'a imams and figures. The foundation of this refusal appears to be rooted in the hatred of the people of Semnan towards the Abbasid Caliphate and its utilization of black flags.^[26]
• Superstitions are highly intertwined with the religious beliefs amongst the older generations in Semnan. One example would be the historical refusal of the local people to travel near the Rig-e Jenn or Dunes of the Jinn while leading trade caravans south towards the Province of Isfahan in the past. The local people believed that evil, demonic spirits lived and dwelled near the sand dunes.
• Traditionally, the women were tasked with baking the oven-baked bread of the city. It is reported that in historical times, the women could make three months worth of bread in one day.^[8] Over time, the women responsible for the baking of the bread developed several folksongs that they would sing as they baked. Two famous folksongs are "môr siyô" and "nün bışkán".^[8]

Nowrouz traditions

The celebrations of

Nowrouz are slightly different in the city of Semnan. Since the beginning of the Iranian (Islamic) solar month of Esfand, a man dressed in red with a charcoal-blackened face known as Hajji Firuz

sits on top of a wooden horse, decorated with textiles, in the bazaars of Semnan. He congratulates the people and takes part in the establishment of the holiday environment. He sings in the Semnani language: arbaab e mani somboli baleikom, arbaab e mani sarbalaayii hei kon, arbaab e mani bozboz e qandi, arbaab e mani chera nemikhandi.

As the celebrations approach the Nowrouz, many celebrators blacken their faces with charcoal and join the celebrations. Another interesting aspect of the Nowrouz celebrations are the massive gatherings of the womenfolk in which they make covenants with God to cook large batches of samanu for the poor.^[27]

Unique foods and dishes

Kolüçe cookies (right) demonstrate the Caspian

region's culinary influence on Semnan

The people of Semnan have many foods and dishes that are specific to Semnan. Some of the common ingredients used in Semnani dishes consist of pomegranate extracts, fresh walnuts from Shahmirzad (şômırzé), a variety of greens and herbs known in Persian as sabzijat, and more recently, potatoes. Semnani food tends to be slightly sour and spicey when compared to the general culinary preferences of Tehran. In fact, there is an old proverb among the local people that says, "Semnan has so many foods, that a wife from this city can cook a different dish for every night of the year."

Some of the famous dishes are: Chelo Gousht,

Kolüçe pastries. In the Semnani language, bread that is baked in an oven is referred to as "nün," while bread made by other means is referred to as "sôdjí."^[8]

The following are the names of some foods in English and Semnani: chicken (gırká), pomegranate (nôr), grapes (engír), cucumber (djürüng), walnut (yüz), eggplant (vıngun), and apricot (şillık).

Languages

Persian language

The Persian language is the official language of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and thus within the city of Semnan. Every literate person in Semnan knows how to communicate in the Persian language.

Semnani language

Main article: Semnani language

The city also has its own language known as "Zaban e Semnani" in Persian or "Semani Zefön" in the Semnani language of the locals. The

Iranian Constitution

recognizes the use of regional dialects and languages, and permits their usage second to the Persian language.

According to the book Dictionary of Semnan Ancient Dialect, Semnan traditionally has had its own language. The book collected more than 12,000 words belonging to this language. The local people call their language Semani. Most of the older generations and some among the younger generations of the city still know and maintain communication in this language. However, the majority of the younger generations do not communicate in Semani as a result of schooling and education in Persian.^[30]

Literature and media

Poetry

Poetry is the most important form of literature in the city of Semnan, especially in terms of its cultural value. Semnani people have contributed greatly to their poetry; they use poetry to express their emotions, philosophies, politics, etc., as well as to preserve the native Semani language. Other poetic works tend to be about God and nature. Also, many books have been published full of traditional poetry. Perhaps the most famous is Nanén Hıkôtí, or Mom's Sayings.^[31] Two famous Semnani poets are Zabihullah Andaliba and Rahim Me`marian.<sup>[32][33]</sup> The following is an excerpt from a poem about Spring, by Rahim Me`marian, in the Semnani language, along with an English translation:

بییما فصلی بهاری... ماکره دل بیقراری دو وچش دشت و بیابون... سوزه چی مخملی واری The Season of Spring has arrived... It sways (the emotions) of the heart, It spreads across the meadows and the desert... A velvet-like green. -Rahim Me`marian

Short stories

There are countless short stories that belong to the Semnani language. Similar to poetry, short stories account for a major section of the literature of Semnan. Due to the previous, little use of orthography, the Semnani language was not able to produce any large single story or novel. Nevertheless, short stories were created to both record history and entertain. These short stories were passed on generation after generation, and have now been recently recorded in books. One famous short story is "frônsé shô vu rüá," or "(The) French King and (the) Cat."^[32]

Television

The city of Semnan receives all the nationwide stations broadcast by

IRIB. In addition to the nationwide channels, Semnan is the broadcasting location of Semnan TV, the provincial television station. Semnan TV has made several great achievements in the film and documentary fields. One notable documentary is that of the life of Ali Akbar Moallem Damghani, an Islamic scholar and mystic.^[34]

Because of the wide variety of dialects spoken throughout the Semnan Province, all of Semnan TV's main broadcasting is in the Persian language in order to avoid the unfair advancement of the city's own dialect. This policy has angered a significant portion of the population which remains deeply concerned with regards to the deteriorating state of the Semnani language altogether.

Radio

Similar to television, the city of Semnan receives all the national radio frequencies broadcast by

kilowatts.^[35] A few years after the Islamic Revolution, Radio Semnan underwent a major expansion in the year 1981.^[35] This provided a variety of broadcasting, i.e. religious, political, recent events, cultural, etc., as well as increasing the broadcasting duration up to fifteen hours per day.^[35] Today, Radio Semnan is an important media asset for the entire Semnan Province, and serves as a major source of reliable information and discussions from a wide variety of topics. According to the representative of Radio Semnan, Abdulreza Dehrouye, "the variety of regional dialects, the strategic geographical location, the good climate, the contributions of the educated elite, the centers of industry and mineral extraction, the various university complexes, the massive labor force, and the highly literate and educated municipal population are all contributing factors into establishing the framework of the great and spiritual network Radio Semnan offers today."^[35] Furthermore, Radio Semnan is unique in offering broadcast time in which residents may call in and engage in direct dialogue with city representatives and officials.^[35]

This provides the people as well as city officials the opportunity to address general public concerns and discuss future plans.

Newspapers

In addition to the numerous nationwide newspapers such as "hamshahri" and "Jomhuri ye Eslami", Semnan publishes many of its own newspapers as well as newspapers for other major cities throughout the Semnan Province. These newspapers consist of:

• the daily "Payam e Ostan e Semnan" (Message of the Semnan Province)
• the weekly "Kavir" (Salt Marsh)
• the weekly "Ham Nazar" (Comments)
• the weekly "Javane ye Emrouz" (Daily Sprout)
• the weekly "Shahvar" (Kingly)
• the bi-weekly "Payam e Shahroud" (Message of Shahroud)
• the monthly "Zofor" (Victory)
• the monthly "Chafiyye" (Keffiyeh)
• the monthly "Chante" (Wallet)
• the "Journal" of the College of Anthropology of the University of Semnan
• the monthly "Healthcare Newsletter" of the Semnan Center of Health

The city's extensive online newspaper can be accessed at www.semnannews.com.^[36] The Islamic Republic News Agency also features a provincial news outlet dedicated to the Semnan Province.^[37]

Transportation

Airports and aviation

The city is served by both the Semnan Municipal Airport (IATA: SNX, ICAO: OIIS) and New Semnan Airport (ICAO: OI21).

Railways

The city is served by the Semnan Railway Station, which features double rails and services to the major cities of Tehran (Westward) and

Mashad, there are separate railway services to the cities of Garmsar, Shahrud, Damghan, Meyami, and Sorkheh, all within the Province of Semnan.^[38] The Semnan Railway Station features modern electric rail services as well.^[39]

The city is further served by the Semnan Municipal Train system which connects the major points of the city by rail. This train service resembles the

light rail transit systems that serve several cities throughout the Western world

.

Other transportation services

Semnan also offers an extensive bus route throughout the entire municipality as well as numerous public and private taxi services. Similar to most cities in Iran, Semnan has a particular taxi service referred to in Persian as "agence." This originally French word is used to denote taxis that arrive at the individual's place of residence and provide service to the individual's destination. This form of service varies from the regular taxi services in Semnan, which only operate on pre-assigned routes.

Higher education

Around 99% of all of Semnan's residents are literate.^[40] As a result, many residents seek higher education and high level services such as medical, pharmacological, and high-tech engineering professions.

Some of the major centers of higher education are:

• University of Semnan
• Semnan University of Medical Sciences^[41]
• Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases Research Center, Semnan University of Medical Sciences^[42]
• Islamic Azad University of Semnan^[43]
• Payame Noor University
• University of Imam Hosseyn
• University of Shaheed Abbasspour

The University of Industry of Semnan is another planned, future university.

Notable people

• Ala ud-Daula Simnani (1261-1336)^[44]
  - poet
• Ashraf Jahangir Semnani (1287-1386) - Sufi saint^[45]
• Nematollah Nassiri (1911-1979) - head of SAVAK
• Nosratollah Noohian (born 1931) - poet
• Shapoor Gharib (born 1933) - film director
• Parviz Sabeti (born 1936) - security officer
• Hassan Rouhani (born 1948) - 7th president of Iran
• Majid Derakhshani (born 1957) - musician
• Farhad Rahbar (born 1959) - politician
• Ahmad Khatami (born 1960) - politician
• Mostafa Kavakebian (born 1963) - politician
• Mojtaba Shaban (born 1987) - volleyball player

Photo gallery

• 
  Maryam Amid Semnani Mozayyan As-Saltaneh [fa]
• 
  Nematollah Nassiri
• 
  Hassan Rouhani
• 
  Mostafa Kavakebian

Media related to Semnan at Wikimedia Commons

 Iran portal

References

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2. ^ OpenStreetMap contributors (25 April 2023). "Semnan, Semnan County" (Map). OpenStreetMap. Retrieved 25 April 2023.
3. ^ https://english.semnan.ac.ir/News/The-meeting-of-the-mayors-of-the-province-to-hold-the-international-Silk-Road-event-at-Semnan-University
4. ^ ^{a b c} "Census of the Islamic Republic of Iran, 1395 (2016)". AMAR (in Persian). The Statistical Center of Iran. p. 20. Archived from the original (Excel) on 17 November 2020. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
5. ^ Habibi, Hassan (21 June 1369). "Approval of the organization and chain of citizenship of the elements and units of the national divisions of Semnan province, centered in Semnan city". Lamtakam (in Persian). Ministry of Interior, Defense Political Commission of the Government Council. Archived from the original on 2 January 2024. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
6. ^ "Census of the Islamic Republic of Iran, 1385 (2006)". AMAR (in Persian). The Statistical Center of Iran. p. 20. Archived from the original (Excel) on 20 September 2011. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
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14. NOAA
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15. NOAA
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17. ^ ^{a b c d} "YouTube". www.youtube.com. Archived from the original on 23 May 2014.
18. ^ "شهرداری سمنان". www.semnan.ir.
19. ^ ^{a b} "شهرداری سمنان". www.semnan.ir.
20. ^ "شهرداری سمنان". www.semnan.ir.
21. ^ "شهرداری سمنان". www.semnan.ir.
22. ^ "Iranian Villager Turns His House into Popular Hotel Museum". IFPNews.com. 23 April 2018.
23. ^ "YouTube". www.youtube.com. Archived from the original on 23 May 2014.
24. ^ "خطای نابهنگام".
25. ^ سلامت, مهرداد. "سمنان". semnany.mihanblog.com.
26. ^ "Account Disabled". www.travelblog.org.
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28. ^ سایت دستور پخت غذا - چلو گوشت سمنانی Archived 2011-06-23 at the Wayback Machine
29. ^ "سبزی پلوی سمنانی ها سبزتر است!-پرشین پرشیا". www.persianpersia.com.
30. ^ "Dictionary of Semnan Dialect", Mohammad Hasan Javaheri, Parviz Pezhom Shariati, 2008, Abrokh Publications
31. ^ Mr. Nooh’s Books safinehnooh.com
32. ^ ^{a b} "سمپادیا - شبکه سمپاد". سمپادیا - شبکه سمپاد.
33. ^ سلامت, مهرداد. "سمنان". semnany.mihanblog.com.
34. ^ AliAkbar Moallem Archived 2012-03-30 at the Wayback Machine
35. ^ ^{a b c d e} "شبکه خبری سمنان » اخبار ویژه » شبکه استانی صدای سمنان ۹ ساله شد".^{[permanent dead link]}
36. ^ "شبکه خبری سمنان". Archived from the original on 2 September 2011. Retrieved 30 August 2011.
37. ^ خبرگزاري جمهوري اسلامي Archived 2011-08-05 at the Wayback Machine
38. ^ "خطا در نمایش صفحه". www.rai.ir.
39. ^ اداره كل راه آهن شمالشرق Archived 2012-03-30 at the Wayback Machine
40. ^ Behnegarsoft.com (25 May 2010). "IBNA - All Semnan villages will have a public library".
41. ^ "intro". 13 July 2006. Archived from the original on 13 July 2006. Retrieved 13 April 2018.
42. ^ درباره مرکز اهداف و آرمانها همکاران Archived 2006-10-15 at the Wayback Machine
43. ^ University website ^{[dead link]}
44. ^ electricpulp.com. "ʿALĀʾ-AL-DAWLA SEMNĀNĪ – Encyclopaedia Iranica". www.iranicaonline.org.
45. ISBN 978-93-85295-54-6, Maktaba Jamia Ltd, Shamshad Market, Aligarh 202002, India
    .

External links

• Semnan.ir
• Semnanline newsportal