Hey there! 🤙
• It's time for another story of my trip, of me, a german backpacker and hitchhiker in Iran, for more info, check out my introduction post! :)
» My next stop in Iran after Tabriz was a trip to the Alamut region with some friends I met.
The Alamut protected area lies in the northern part of the "Qazvin" region, which is located in the north-west of Iran. We drove a few hours into the mountains of this picturesque area, where we stayed in a small house.
On the way we passed the Taleghani lake. It looks so "made" but of course it's natural. I find that these strict segments look very unique.
Another thing I found especially interesting was the texture of rocks and nature generally in this region, I mean look at it ?!!
This canyon especially.
And these rock "sheets"!!
We continued further up and got to appreciate amazing views from there.
One of the main attractions of the region is the Alamut castle (also Hassan-Sabah castle) - or what's left of it. It was located on this rock and built around the year 1056.
It was the headquarters of the "Ismaili cult", better known as the "Assassin's cult" - yes, the original, actual Assassins! I didn't know that they used to be a real formation with a very real influence on the greater area's politics and even some events on the European continent. In it's time, the castle was home to the greatest library in the area and even laboratories for scientists, who could research freely there.
With the brutal Mongolian conquest around 200 years later, the castle was mostly destroyed and today, little is left of it.
(My friends on that trip)
The view on the town below from the rock.
We went even higher up towards the high mountain passes.
Passing more beautiful views, valleys and waterfalls.
At some point it started snowing - from there we couldn't continue much further with our car.
Again, sometimes the sudden differences and sections that nature creates here just look surreal.
And once we got down to the usual altitude, things looked different again.
Ovan lake is another attraction of this area, it's just really nice to see, with a small village at it's side.
The drive to Qazvin city after 2 days rewarded us with some last epic views
This was truly an amazing trip and shows some (only some!) of the beauty of northern Iran.
» Hope you enjoyed the read and the pictures.
Cheers, Alban 🤙
Ps: (I left out the part where our perception of that incredible nature was enhanced through some substances but you can imagine xD)
(All pictures were taken by me with the Google Pixel 5)
Pinmapple:
[//]:# (!pinmapple 36.446443 lat 50.587030 long Alamut castle and region d3scr)
Being free means being very brave, and you are just like that, my friend! Going around the world in this way shows people something really meaningful.
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The legendary mountain that everyone who hears the story of Hasan Sabbah wants to go. You are so lucky to be able to go there.
Wow you know about this mountain??! Yes it is quite legendary and it's awesome to see and imagine the power that once resided there.
Yes, there are many stories told about Hasan Sabbah in Türkiye.
Very interesting piece about a country very few people have been to. What is your general experience traveling in Iran? Is everything easy and straightforward or more complicated and stricter controlled?
Hi, that's a good question actually, since there are so many prejudices about this country. Generally, this is one of the best experiences, traveling here, on the other hand, I would never want to live here.
Yes, some things are strictly controlled, there are, of course, rules on how to dress, alcohol is prohibited, no freedom of speech, the internet is censored and monitored, women's rights are, well, they are what they are here, and these are just some of the major points that are just normal here. They are the reality. It feels strange to being deprived of freedom suddenly - and that it's just normal and you have to adapt! Of course, as a foreigner, I'm not as strictly controlled, but generally, rules apply to me too.
The punishments for some "crimes" here are ridiculous and especially the younger people know how to "play the game" - but most of them want to leave this country anyways and sometimes I'm asked what I'm doing here, since Germany is basically their dream destination.
This is another thing, being German here has some advantages, some of them for reasons that are disgusting to me - but it's a reality (for example, that we are, Iranians and Germans, "Arier" and they worship Hitler - it's sickening but they have a different different relationship to that history).
But, even with the current situation, political and economical, most people are still incredibly kind, friendly, helpful and hospitable to me, it's really unbelievable sometimes!
So, all in all, I really recommend to travel here, it's a unique experience, but be careful not to break any major rules, especially government related and around military environment. ^^
I hope you're well and maybe that gave you an idea on the situation here.
Take care, Servus 🤙
Thanks for your detailed answer. Seems like a very unique experience that takes a bit of getting used to 😀
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Beautiful place