Qom

Also spelled as Ghom, it is the capital of Qom province, the 8th largest city in Iran with 150 Km distance from Tehran. The present town of Qom in central Iran dates back to the ancient times. The city is the largest center for Shiʿa scholarship in the world and is a significant destination of pilgrimage. The city has dry and warm climate with low annual rainfall. It is the second most sacred city in Iran after Mashhad. A lots of great Sheikhs and religious leaders were born and treated in this city. Qom is famous for a brittle candy called “Sohan”.

The tourist attractions of Qom are:

Fatima Al Masouma Holy Shrine
The shrine is located in Qom city, which is considered by Shia Muslims to be the second most sacred city in Iran after Mashhad. Every year, thousands of Shi’a Muslims travel to Qom to honor Fatima Al Ma’souma and for praying. Fatima Masumeh was the sister of the eighth Imam of Shia that his shrine is in Mashhad. Fatima Masumeh is honored as a saint, and her shrine in Qom is considered one of the most significant Shi’i shrines in Iran. Every year, thousands of Shi’i Muslims travel to Qom to honor Fatima Masumeh and ask her for blessings.

Jamkaran Mosque
Jamkaran Mosque is one of the primary significant mosques in Iran which is located six kilometers east of Qom, Iran. Many pilgrims visit this mosque especially in Tuesday. The mosque has been a sacred place from the 11th century AD. It has been repaired during different periods of time. In the rear of the mosque, there is a “well of requests” where it is believed the Twelfth Imam of Shia Islam once “became miraculously unhidden for a brief shining moment of loving communion with his Creator.” Pilgrims tie small strings in a knot around the grids covering the holy well, which they hope will be received by the Imam Mahdi. Every morning custodians cut off the strings from the previous day.

Qom Souvenir
Sohan-e Qom is a traditional  saffron brittle candy with pistachios; its perfect use is to eat with tea. It is the most known souvenir of Qom. The ingredients of Sohan are: wheat flour, sugar, butter, syrup, cardamom powder, saffron powder, and  pistachio.

Qom Souvenir

Pasangan Caravanserai
Pasangan Caravanserai was built in the 19th century AD. It is located 20 km far from Qom city. Semi-circular towers are located on four corners of the caravanserai. It has a square shape with the width of 50 meters. The building is registered by the Iranian Cultural Heritage Organization.

Imam Khomeini’s house
The house of Imam Khomeini, the first supreme leader of Islamic Republic of Iran, is one of the important buildings in Qom that enjoys the special political and social background and has been best known due to being located in Yakhchal Qazi district. This building is one of the monuments at the early 19 century AD and was the last residential house of Imam Khomeini in the period of his living in this city.
This building was bought by Imam Khomeini in the year of 1335 and he lived in this house up to 1342. This house ceded to the Imam’s brother, Ayat Allah Pasandide, after exile of Imam to Turkey and with the change of his exile place to Najaf, it has been assigned to the house of leadership by Haj Ahmad Khomeini in 1994. The house of Imam Khomeini was not only the place of his life in this city, but also many public meetings, lectures and important political meetings of him were held in this place.

Historical House of Zand
The mansion was built 130 years ago in the Qajar era. It is registered in the list of Iran’s National Relics. The house is located at the heart of the city of Qom. It has 2 yards, 14 rooms, 14 pillars, and 36 wooden doors and windows. It is a good destination for the ones who are fascinated in historical buildings.

Historical House of Zand