In the modern Hamadan that is built on the plans prepared by the German architect Karl Fritsch, nothing is left to be seen of ancient Ecbatana of the Medes' capital before they formed a union with the Persians. It was the residence of Achaemenian Kings, and the summer resort of the Parthian and Sassanian dynasties due to its strategic vicinity to Ctesiphon. In the 7th century AD Hamadan was passed to the Arabs, and it was later held by the Seljuk Turks (12th-13th centuries) and the Mongols (13th-14th centuries).Hamadan's climate is mild and delightful in summers, and cold in winters. Early spring and late autumn are the rainy seasons for the region. To this day Hamadan is a very popular retreat with Iranians during the warmer months when the climate in autumn and spring is one of the most pleasant in the country, but winters are long and sever.

Hagmataneh
Before going into a description of the historical monuments of Hamadan, and regarding the town's rather prolonged history, the reader is reminded of two hills on which some of the most ancient remains can be seen even today, however not that much interesting: I) Hagmatana Hill, with ruins of the walls and ramparts of the Median and Achaemenian periods. Located in Ekbatan Street (north of Ekbatan Square), which is presently under archaeological excavations (see below); and 2) Mosalla Hill (now a park), situated in the east of Ayatollah Mofatteh Avenue, which is said to be the ancient site of Anahita Temple. According to some archaeologists, the site had been a Parthian stronghold, the remains of which could be seen until a few years ago, with parts of its ramparts visible even today.
The ruins of ancient Hagmatana, on the site of which the present Hamadan stands, date from the period of Median monarchs (7th and early 6th centuries BC) who had made that city their capital. Hagmatana was further developed under the Achaemenian and Parthian rulers and was known as the first capital of the ancient Persian Empire. Scientific excavations and accidental diggings for construction works have resulted in the discovery of numerous objects, including some gold and silver tablets, in the region. This indicates that the treasury of the Achaemenian monarchs was kept in Hagmatana and that the present Hamadan has been constructed upon apart of the site of the ancient city. In the old Sar Qal'eh, Qal'eh Shah, and Darab quarters, one could see the remains of a thick wall that once enclosed the Achaemenian Darius' palace (521-486 BC). Some traces of the Haft Hissar Palace and the historic ancient rampart, sparsely found in the old citadel of Hagmatana bear witness to the grandeur of this capital of the Median and the Achaemenian periods. However, an adequate appreciation of this grandeur will only be possible when systematic scientific excavations are carried out in this area. So far, the discovery of the heads of a stone statue in the hillock Mosalla has proved the existence of an Ashkanian (Arsacid) fort on that hill. At all events, Hagmatana has been one of the important centers of the Sassanian period and has retained the same position in the Islamic era. There exists ample evidence in the history of Islamic period concerning its prosperity.

Hamadan Museum
Hamadan Shrines
Hamadan Gonbad
Hamadan Tower
Hamadan Bazaar

ADDRESSES AND TELEPHONE NUMBERS

ACCESS AND DISTANCES:
343 km to Tehran. 177 km to Kermanshah. 227 km to Qazvin. 275 km to Zanjan. 492 km to Esfahan. 404 km to Rasht.

ACCIDENTS: 115.

AIR AGENT:
 I. Iran Air, Khajieh Rashid Blvd 26232.
2. Aseman Air, Khajeh Rashid Blvd 224460.

AIRPORT:
Tehran Road, Basij Blvd 222117.

BANK MELLI IRAN:
On the north side of Imam Khomeini Square.

BUS TERMINAL:
Cooperatives No 7 and No 9, Ekbatan Ave 24362 and 27477, respectively.

CITY DIALING CODE NUMBER:
The dialing code for Harnadan is 081.

DRUG STORE (24-HOUR):
1. Takht.e Jarnshid 24142.

BUS TERMINAL:
Cooperatives No 7 and No 9, Ekbatan Ave 24362 and 27477, respectively.

CITY DIALING CODE NUMBER:
The dialing code for Hamadan is 081.

DRUG STORE (24-HOUR):
1. Takht-e Jamshid 24142.
2. Imam Khomeini 23371.

EMERGENCIES:
Pasteur Ave 11, 28888.

FIRE STATION:
Baba Taher Square 24444-5.

GOVERNOR'S OFFICE:
Ostandari, on the west side of Bu Ali Sina Square 26070-1. Farmandari -8.

MEDICAL SERVICES:
1. Bu.Ali Hospital 250!!-3.
2. Ekbatan Hospital, Taleghani Street 23017.9.
3. Imam Khomeini Hospital, Mir Zadeh Eshghi Street 33014-5.
4. Mobasher Hospital, Mahdieh Street 39051.

MUNICIPALITY:
On the south side of Bu Ali Sina Square 23437-9.

POLICE:
Mirzadeh Eshghi Street 30111. Road Police 23817, 23095.

POST AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS:
The main post office is on the east side of Bu Ali Sina street, 200 meters south of Bu Ali Sina Square, and the main telephone
and telegraph office is on the south side of Mahdieh street, two km southwest of Imam Khomeini Square 20555.

RESTAURANTS:
I. Felestin, Ghodss (Shokri) 30-m Street.
2. Gol, Bu-Ali Street 26113.
3. Golha, Bu Ali SinaSquare 21855.
4. Javanan, Janbazan Street 240028.
5. Kactus, Bu A!i Sina Square 27070.
6. Khaneh Mo'allem, Mahdieh Street 32465. ,
     Majlesi, Mahdieh Street 37884. Payvand, Abbas Abad Street 244508.
~I. Qassr-e Sina, Khajeh Rashid Blvd 31631.
      Shamshi.ri, Imam Square 224653. ..There is a quiet and reasonably good
      restaurant in the cellar of Bu Ali Hotel (33071-2), but its menu is minimalist. There are several chelo kababis nearby and around the bazaar. There are also quite a few pleasant cafes and restaurants at Ganj Nameh, 35 km away, which are very popular with Hamadanis.

TAXI AGENT:
 1. Pasteur, Ayatollah Madani Street 33366.
 2. Sina, Bu-Ali Street 33682.

TOURIST MAP:
Available in English and Persian.

TOURIST OFFICE:
 1. Takhti Street 35065-6,20093,27022.
 2. Sina Tourist Information Company 61111.