The Valleys of the Assassins by Freya Stark

Hailed as a classic upon its first publication in.

An intrepid lady set off for the coast of Syria in Crossing Iraq's desert, she explored Baghdad, Larti, Teheran, and the Throne of Solomon. Get this from a library! The valleys of the Assassins and other Persian travels.

The book chronicles her travels into Luristan, the mountainous terrain nestled between Iraq and present-day Iran, often with only a single guide and on a shoestring : Freya Stark. Hailed as a classic upon its first publication in, The Valleys of the Assassins firmly established Freya Stark as one of her generation's most intrepid explorers. It’s a place for visitors who want to experience the culture, cuisine, and hospitality of Iran.The valleys of the assassins and other Persian travels. Dating back to the Qajar era, it’s a place for discovering tens of Hojreh shops, cafes, yards, and a stunning mosque. Qazvin is also home to one of the biggest roofed caravanserais in the country, Sa’d-al Saltaneh caravanserai. In the early 1930s, British-Italian explorer and travel writer Freya Stark described her exploration of the place in her book “The Valleys of the Assassins.” It was once a shelter for the followers of Hasan-e Sabbah (1070–1124) who was a spiritual leader of an Islamic sect. For most travelers, Qazvin is also primarily the staging point for excursions to the famous Castles of the Assassins and trekking in the sensational Alamut Valley.Īlso known as the castle of the Assassins, the 12th-century Alamut castle is nestled on top of a peak. It is a major tourist destination with a wonderfully restored caravanserai-turned-arts precinct, some quirky museums, and a handful of decent eating options. Qazvin was once the capital of the mighty Persian Empire, under Safavids, from 1548 to 98. Some other damaged parts of the structure are also being restored to be prepared for the public visit, the official added.ĭowlatkhaneh Safavi, composed of some historical monuments, some of which have been destroyed over time, was once a royal ensemble and residential complex for Safavid monarchs (1501–1736). TEHRAN –The tourism directorate of the west-central province of Qazvin plans to revive the Safavid Garden Ensemble, locally known as “Dowlatkhaneh Safavi”, the provincial tourism chief has said.Ī portion of this historical building that was used by some government departments will be turned over to the province’s cultural heritage department for inclusion in the complex’s tourism space, Alireza Khazaeli explained on Tuesday.

The Valleys of the Assassins by Freya Stark