A group of archaeologists, historians, and scholars specializing in Rey’s history have penned a letter to the representative of Tehran and Rey in Parliament, demanding urgent intervention to prevent the ongoing destruction of a historic site by Rey Municipality. The letter highlights extensive encroachments and alterations in the area due to a tourism project, carried out despite repeated warnings and formal complaints from the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts.
As reported by ISNA, heavy machinery from Rey Municipality has been operating for several months in the ancient Zirin Cemetery, where the “Bam Rey” tourism project is being implemented. Experts identify this site as the largest historical cemetery in Rey, containing remnants of 118 tower-tombs. Despite multiple official objections from the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, excavation and destruction continue, while protests from specialists and archaeologists have been ignored.
In response, a group of distinguished archaeologists and historians focused on Rey’s heritage have addressed an open letter to the parliamentary representative of Tehran and Rey, raising alarms about the irreversible damage being inflicted on the city’s ancient legacy and calling for immediate action.
The letter, directed to Manouchehr Mottaki, the representative of Tehran, Rey, Shemiranat, and Eslamshahr in Parliament, states:
Section 20 of Tehran city is home to several significant historical landmarks, including the Cheshmeh Ali archaeological mound, Qajar-era bas-reliefs, the Rashkan Fortress (Islamic city center/Malek Rey), Toghrul Tower, Gabri Castle, the shrine of Bibi Shahrbanu, Naqareh Khaneh Tower, and the Tower of Silence. With the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts recently intensifying its focus on Rey and the establishment of the National Rey Heritage Base, efforts have been made to unlock the city’s rich cultural tourism potential and lay the groundwork for its potential World Heritage inscription.
However, these advancements are being undermined by widespread encroachments, unauthorized developments, and destructive interventions by the Tehran Municipality, along with the damaging activities of the Tehran Cement Factory Complex. Among the most pressing concerns are:
The drying up of the Cheshmeh Ali spring, a registered national heritage site, caused by the construction of Metro Line 6.
The construction of a highway cutting through the heart of ancient Rey.
The extensive destruction and encroachment on the Naqareh Khaneh Mountain and the historic Zirin Cemetery, dating back to the Islamic era and home to at least 118 tombs.
These actions are endangering the legacy of Rey—historically known as Sheikh al-Bilad (Elder of Cities), Umm al-Bilad (Mother of Cities), Arous al-Bilad (Bride of Cities), and Shah Bilad al-Islami (King of Islamic Cities). If left unchecked, these interventions will irreversibly damage one of Rey’s most significant heritage sites, all in the name of constructing the so-called “Bam Rey” tourism park.
This is while, before taking any action or entering the national heritage site, the “approved cultural heritage study plan” should have been prepared, and, in addition, the project should have continuously benefited from the leadership and supervision of professional archaeologists specializing in the history of Rey. Ultimately, rather than establishing a tourism park, a “unique archaeological park”—which archaeologists have envisioned for the Zirin Cemetery since the 1980s—could have been created. This idea has been successfully implemented in historical sites worldwide, and it would have been a valuable gift for the noble and honorable people of Rey.
Regrettably, the Municipality of District 20/Rey City has failed to observe these crucial cultural heritage principles. They proceeded without the involvement of a consultant or expert supervisor and ignored the decision and ruling from the Rey District Court (dated June 3, 2023) as well as the instructions from the National Rey Heritage Base management. Despite repeated complaints from the National Rey Heritage Base management over the past eight months, their illegal and destructive actions at the Zirin Cemetery site have continued. Furthermore, all efforts and communications from the Ministry of Cultural Heritage to halt the project have been fruitless.
Therefore, we, the undersigned, respectfully call upon you as the dedicated representative of the honorable people of Rey in the Islamic Consultative Assembly to take the following urgent actions:
Immediate cessation of the destructive project referred to as the “Bam Rey Tourism Park” by the Municipality of District 20/Rey City on behalf of Tehran Municipality. Immediate removal of the municipality from the historical site on the southwestern slope of the legendary Bibi Shahrbanu Mountain. The Ministry of Cultural Heritage should assume responsibility for this historic and magnificent area, fulfilling its legal duties and obligations.
Under the supervision of the Research Institute of Cultural Heritage (Archaeological Research Institute), the Zirin Cemetery should be protected from certain destruction, based on archaeological and cultural heritage principles.
We trust that your immediate attention to this matter will help preserve the heritage of this ancient city.
The Ministry of Cultural Heritage is also requested to take immediate action on the following:
Safeguard the legendary Bibi Shahrbanu/Tabrak Mountain from further damage, encroachments, and interventions by the municipality and the Tehran Cement Factory complex, and proceed with its urgent national registration as both a natural and historical monument.
Register the Zirin Cemetery and the eastern part of the ancient city of Rey, located to the south of the cemetery, as a unified national heritage site under the National Heritage List of Iran.
Earlier, Ghadir Afravand, the head of the National Rey Heritage Base, had commented on the violations by the District 20 Municipality (Rey) in implementing the Bam Rey tourism project, despite the clear objections from the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts. He stated: “Despite multiple efforts by our heritage base to halt the municipality’s actions in the national heritage zone, particularly in the largest historical cemetery of Rey, containing 118 mausoleum towers (as documented by the late esteemed archaeologist Dr. Shahryar Adl), these attempts have proven ineffective. The municipality continues to encroach and destroy this key historical site without the required legal permits or an approved cultural heritage plan. Tragically, they are also dumping hundreds of truckloads of soil daily on this critical site and have even constructed a concrete wall around the Zirin Cemetery without the Ministry’s approval. As a result, one of the most significant historical areas of this ancient city is at risk of disappearance and destruction.”
The Iranian Archaeological Society also sent letters to the President of the Tehran City Council and the Deputy Governor and Rey District Governor, raising concerns about the irreversible damage caused by the Bam Rey project to nationally registered heritage sites, including Nagara-Khaneh Mountain and the Zirin Cemetery.
