Varamin

Varamin (; fa, ورامين, also Romanized as Varāmīn and Verāmin) is a city and capital of Varamin County, Tehran Province, Iran. At the 2011 census, its population was 218,991, and at the 2006 census, its population was 208,569, in 53,639 families.

Etymology

The word "''Varamin''" has been recorded with the same spelling and pronunciation in Perso-arabic script since 3rd A.H. century. While its etymology is not clear, there have been many speculations which are almost all not more than guesses. The entry "Varām" in Burhan-i Qati is defined as:"... Things that are easy and light, and a city in ''Mulk-i Rayy'' that is known also as ''Varāmin''."

The name has been transliterated in Latin scripts in many ways; such as ''Veramin'', ''Veramine'', ''Weramin'', ''Weramine'', ''Veraumin'', and other variants, while Encyclopedia Iranica uses ''Varāmīn''.

History

Until 1220s, Varamin was an agricultural center of Ray. The raiding of Ray by the invading Mongols caused a flux of migration and economical growth during Mongol Ilkhanid rule. Thus, Varamin developed into an urban center. A Vizier of Ilkhanid Abu Sa'id, named Yusuf Quhadhi built the Jameh Mosque of Varamin. Other significant monuments from this era, include mausoleum of Imamzadeh Yahya, Aladdin Tower, Imamzadeh Shah Husayn, and Sharif mosque. At the turn of 14th century, Varamin started to decline due to Timurid Empire armies' invasions. In 1405, Ruy González de Clavijo described the city as mostly deserted, although during early Timurid rule, a minor restoration was applied to the Jameh mosque and Imamzadeh Hosein Reza was built. By 16th century, Tehran started to grow as the major city of the region.

Landmarks

Ilkhanid architecture

During the Mongol Ilkhanate, as a result of the economic growth in the region, Varamin became an urban center and most of the significant historical monuments of this city belong to this period. Including:

Jameh mosque

The most famous building of the city, the Jameh mosque's construction began during Öljaitü's reign and completed in during his son's rule in 1322.

Aladdin tower

A cylindrical tomb with a conic dome was built in 1289 over a local ruler's grave.

Imamzadeh Yahya

The tomb of a descendant of the Muhammad in the city, famed for its tile-works. The tomb was constructed in 1307.

Others

Other than the three mentioned above, another tomb known as ''Shah Hoseyn'' was also built in Ilkhanid era. Portal of ''Masjid-i Sharif'', which does not exist nowadays is mentioned to be completed in 1307. An Ilkhanid graveyard was unearthed in 2016.

Other sites

Other than above buildings, mausoleums of Hosein Reza, ''Sakinehbanu'', ''Kowkab a-ddin'', ''Seyyed Fathollah'', and ''Zaid Abolhassan'' are other historical monuments. Additionally, historians have mentioned the ''Razaviyeh'' historical madrasah adjacent to the Jameh Mosque, also Varamin Castle, 1500 feet from the Jameh Mosque, has also been a noted by travelers, both the madrasah and citadel do not also exist today.

Industries

Sugar refinery factory

Varamin Sugar Refinery Factory was built in 1934–1935 by Nikolai Markov and is the very first sugar refinery factory in Iran and Middle East. Since 2007 and privatization, its produce has been reduced because of shortage in ingredients.

Oil-extracting factory

Varamin Oil-extracting factory was built in 1938–1939 and is the first producer of vegetable oil in Iran.

Handcrafts

Carpets and rugs

Carpets and rugs of Varamin are among most famous carpets in the world. Many rug and carpet experts see Varamins as purer Persian carpets. They have geometric patterns with repeated medallions, especially on runners. They are made by tribal people who either live in or pass by Varamin.

Colleges and universities

Islamic Azad University

Islamic Azad University Varamin-Pishva Branch was established in 1985. This branch has more than 86 different majors and capacity of 15,000 students.iauvaramin.ac.ir
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Climate

References

External links

Monuments

* Photographs of monuments in a Varāmin (these photographs are available on flickr):
:— Part of the exterior of ''Masjed-e Jāme'eh Varāmin''
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:— The interior of ''Masjed-e Jāme'eh Varāmin''
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{{Authority control

Populated places in Varamin County
Cities in Tehran Province