Thursday, March 25, 2010

Simorgh Park


Simorgh Park (پارک سیمرغ) is a recently developed park located in Semnan. This Park is relatively new to the point where its trees barely cast a shadow and from afar it even resembles a desert like plane. A large sized pool and some internal decorations are gradually breathing some life into the Park.  


Simorgh Park’s main structure is home to a hall called Iranzamin which is suitable for hosting events such as weddings and other celebrations. With its decorations, reliefs and figurines, this hall gives Simorgh Park much of its unique characteristics. Iranzamin is a huge hall resembling a fortified structure with crenellated walls such as Takht’e Jamshid. On the top of one of its crenellations, a statue of Arash Kamangir is situated as he is releasing an arrow to determine the border of Iran and Turan. Adjacent to Arash Kamangir, a roaring lion represents another symbol of Ancient Iran. Further along an eagle can also be spotted.  


Approaching the main entrance to Iranzamin, a plaque above the door reads “everywhere in Iran is my home” and “without Iran may I not exist”. Further up on the wall the Zoroastrian saying of “good thoughts, good words, good deeds” is on display while underneath it reads “let’s learn from the past, think today for a prosperous Iran and a better world”.  


The hall consists of many paintings and statues that bring a mix of Iran’s mythology and history to the present time. Many of such decorations are inspired from the heroes in Shahnameh. A statue of Rostam from his battle with his son Sohrab is displayed while another relief shows Sohrab dying in Rostam’s arms. Indeed Sohrab seems to be the most portrayed character in these reliefs; his battle scenes with both Godafarid and Rostam are present. Another relief depicts the affection of Tahmineh for Rostam.  


Further along a relief displays Ardeshir Babakan, founder of the Sassanid dynasty, on the back of a horse, escaping the clutches of an attacking lion while taking aim at him with his bow and arrow. Bahram Goor is also present as he slays two lions and retrieves his crown from them. Post Islamic Iran is also represented by a relief of Sultan Jaleleddin Kharazmshah passing the Indus River and Nader Shah Afshar in a battle scene in Damghan.  


Paintings of scientists such as Abu Reyhan Birooni d Abu Nasr Farabi also adorn Iranzamin. Adjacent Iranzamin is Fazilat School which in itself is home to other sources of Iranian pride. Above its main entrance is a mural of Zal, Rostam’s father, facing Sam Nariman in a field while Simorgh is flying about them. Furthermore the portrait of a number of scientists and poets from the Semnan region provide some local flair to the Park and School.  


Simorgh Park surely has touched upon many aspects of Iran’s shinning and proud past and presents its guests with an immaculate collection of Iran’s history and mythology.


 

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