Masjed Soleyman

Masjed-Soleyman
Country	Iran
Province	Khuzestan Province
Population
• Total	127,634 (2,005)

Masjed Soleiman (Persian: مسجد سلیمان) is a historical city which is located among Zagros Mountains chain in Khuzestan province, Iran.

Geography

Masjed Soleiman shares its borders from northwest to Shushtar, almost from north to Lali, from southeast to Izeh and from southwest to Ahvaz. Its inhabitants consist of various clans of Bakhtiari tribes but by oil exploration in this area other people from other parts of Bakhtiari zones came to this city for trade or finding job and gradually settled there for always. The villages Andika, Lali and Dasht-e-Bozorg are the county seats of Masjed Soleiman. Historical attractions, beautiful spring, tulip and wallflower growth make Masjed Soleiman host too many Nowrooz guests during Nowrooz time.

Main sights

Masjed Soleiman`s most interesting parish is Tembi, and historical and ancient site is Sarmasjed Temple in the northeast. Sarmasjed temple is on the verge of Sarmasjed terrace, in ancient time fire had been continuously flaming inside it. And according to historians was the capital of Achaemenian Reign. Among other Masjed Soleiman ancient relics, we can suggest the ancient Temple of Bard-e-Neshande.

History

Ancient history and Etymology

According to historical scripts, when the Arians of the Parsova city forced to decamp, they took refuge in Bakhriarians Mountains from outskirts of Oromiieh Lake.

They founded the city of Parsomash in memory of their motherland near the city of Anshan which is the fatherland of Pasargadae and Persepolis.

This ancient city changed its name to Masjed soleiman, after the Arabian destructive attack to Iran. Masjed soleiman, city of the lost millenniums, city of holy mountains and Bard-e-Neshandeh, city of Sarmasjed and entrance gate to the bravery of Iranian in the historical sunrise of a county called: Ancient Persia.

Contemporary history

French archaeologist expedition under Professor Roman Ghirshman supervision was successful to some important discovery. Ghirshman believes the present site of Masjed Soleiman (Parsomash) was the oldest capital of Achaemenian Kingdom. The most important reason of Masjed Soleiman Establishment and development was oil exploration in this area. As we know William Knox D’Arcy in contract with King Mozaffaroddin Qajar took oil permission research and his expedition explored this black gold for the first time in (The Middle East) Masjed Soleiman. In effect, this event changed our country and The Middle East destiny. By oil and petrochemical industry development and also industries establishment that severely depended to this substance, the necessity of dominance over the oil resources and countries having this resource became the then economical, political and military superpowers` main program. To some extent that wars waged for this purpose, too many bloods bled, many counties disintegrated and in one word the world geopolitic was changed and still is in progress. With these descriptions we can consider the economical superpowers and oil companies changed majority part of the world history by Masjed Soleiman. The city whom too many people of its country don’t have any information about its precise location. This city is in northeast of Khuzestan province where plain areas conflict Zagros Mountains chain, situated among mountains. The area has been habitat of Bakhtiari migrants until one century ago. In fact, Ancient root, locating among mountains, bearing multiple oil wells (282), close presence of foreigners, and inhabitants familiar with western culture made Masjed Soleiman an extraordinary city.

On the contrary, oil production suspension, war, construction inactivity and non-stoppage immigration of villagers, changed from an organized and equipped city to an indistinct and non-structural. Frankly, such these changes for a city with high dignity can`t be seen in any part of the world. To know Masjed Soleiman better, we have to overview its history much more precisely. Because, fate of history and the destiny that history has set up for Masjed Soleiman worm-blooded inhabitants has been effective on its structure more than any other interior or exterior potential,