According to Tehran-based English newspaper, Iran Daily, almost 1,125 Iranian luminaries were born and grew up in this province. According to statistics, the province is home to 25 percent of prominent Iranian figures.
Despite the available historical and natural attractions, new historical sites are added each year following archeological excavations.
Iran Daily conducted an interview with Mohammad Hosseini, the head of Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Department in Markazi province to know about the historical relics, the number of tourists, and identify the tourism projects at hand.
Excerpts of the interview follow:
Pointing to the number of historical and natural monuments exist in the province, Hosseini underscored that at present, 850 historical monuments have been registered on the National Heritage List. The province has 10 target tourism villages including Ahu, Sarabadan, Varcheh, Anjedan, Shahabiyeh, Varan, Vafs and Aveh.
'The province also has 11 museums which attract numerous visitors annually,' he added.
'Moreover, it enjoys more than 8,000 artisans who are involved in the handicraft sector. The province has over 120 fields of handicrafts. At present, 10 shopping centers and eight marketplaces and exhibitions are active in handicraft industry with the approval of Iran Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization,' Hosseini noted.
'Wood carving, engraving, carpet-weaving, copper smithing, painting, calligraphy and plasterwork are among major handicrafts of the province,' he said.
According to him, Markazi province also enjoys 17 natural sites such as Meighan Wetland, Gerdoo Valley, skiing slope, Mahallat Hot Spring, Nakhjir Cave and Emarat Spring.
'Almost 1,200 ancient sites have been discovered and excavated in Markazi province in recent years. In addition, Atashkooh Fire Temple, Jam Hill and Qiz Qaleh near the city of Saveh have been registered on the National Heritage List,' the official added.
Hosseini further noted that excavation activities on ancient sites including Aveh in Saveh, Meshkin Tappeh in Zarandiyeh, Zolfabad in Farahan, rock-cut reliefs in Tahigh Village in Khomein and Khorheh in Mahallat were completed in recent years.
He reiterated that dossiers of Nakhjir Cave, Arak Bazaar, Saveh Jame' Mosque and Teimareh epigraphs have potentials for registration on the UNESCO World Heritage List. However, the shortcomings of the dossiers must be dealt with before presenting them to the organization.
Touching upon the ancient relics that are on the verge of destruction, he said there are historical relics in each province which need additional protection. Iran Cultural Heritage, Handcrafts and Tourism Organization intends to acquire the required funds, identify the historical sites, demarcate the precincts and register them on the National Heritage List.
'There are many sites in the province which call for demarcation. These sites are prioritized for restoration. Preservation and restoration of all historical monuments depend on the amount of funds allocated by the government to ICHHTO. In addition, people should also make contributions,' he noted.
Pointing to the number of historical relics that have not been registered on National Heritage List, the official stressed that almost 2,200 historical monuments have not been nationally registered. Tafresh has the highest number of historical relics. The oldest monument of the province is Atashkooh Fire Temple which dates back to the Sassanid era. It is located near Nimvar in Mahallat.
'Museums in the province hosted almost 32,000 visitors during the year to March 2015. Chahar Fasl (Four Seasons) Museum in Arak had the highest number of visitors. Over 50,000 people visited the province’s historical sites free of charge,' he said.
'Foreign tourists made up of nearly 10 percent of last year’s visitors. Most of them came to the province as part of tour packages or were embassies’ officials, businessmen and traders who came to the province to visit the economic projects,' the official added.
He further noted that in addition, Markazi province annually hosts professional tourists who arrive to visit its unique natural landscapes. For instance, Meighan Wetland in Farahan plains, is home to lots of migratory birds in the autumn and early winter.
'A large number of tourists visit the region for bird watching and taking photographs. Pakal Ski Slope in south of Shazand also hosts those interested in winter sports,' he added.
'According to the Fifth Five-Year Economic Development Plan, the province should witness an annual five-percent growth in attracting foreign tourists. Based on statistics, the number of tourists registered a 3.2-percent growth and revenues earned from foreign tourists also increased by 5.2 percent,' the official said.
Hosseini further underscored that in 2008, 59 tourism projects went on stream, of which 20 have been inaugurated, and 39 others are under construction. In addition, seven tourism projects have recorded physical progress of 50 percent.
'Based on the Sixth Plan, the government intends to prioritize three goals: Constructing tourist camps and resorts with a credit worth $803,030, promoting tourism infrastructures in exemplary tourism sites by $1.5 million and completing access roads to tourist sites at a cost of $757,757,' the official added.
He continued as saying that tourism projects help create direct and indirect jobs. Ecotourism resorts play an important role in earning revenues for local people.
'Meanwhile, tourism projects created direct jobs for 75 people since March 21, 2015. In addition, we have anticipated that almost 500 jobs will be created during the Sixth Plan,' he said.
Given the huge number of handicraft fields in the province, Hossini reiterated that seven handicraft marketplaces are under construction across the province, adding geometric wooden works, wood carving, engraving and enameled works are exported in hand luggage.
Pointing to the government’s long-term plans for boosting Markazi’s handicrafts, the official concluded as saing that the government seeks to establish at least one handicraft marketplace in every city. Moreover, it intends to hold national handicraft exhibition which includes various pavilions from handicrafts of other provinces. It also plans to equip handicraft workshops and revive the neglected fields.
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