Khorramabad is an ancient city of Iran and the capital of Lorestan Province. This region has got some of the most ancient discoveries in the world. The city has flourished after devastations and invasions. Today, it has a lot to offer. The people of this city are hardworking and proud of their legacy.

A visit to the west of Iran to learn about the origin of Lures is not complete without a visit to this city. So, it’s better to learn about it first and then, explore Khorramabad tourist attractions.

This city is the 23rd most populated city in Iran and the capital of Lorestan Province. The city is located at an altitude of 11,478 meters above sea level, among the Zagros valleys. The city reaches Selseleh County on the north, Borujerd on the northeast, Doroud and Aligoudarz counties on the east, Andimeshk County on the south, and Dworeh and Pol Dokhtar counties on the west and southwest.

Khorramabad has a Mediterranean climate with a large volume of rain, especially in spring and winter. In terms of rainfall, this area is the sixth rainiest province of Iran. The average annual temperature is 17.2ᵒC and the average annual precipitation is 509 mm.

According to the 2016 Iranian Census, the population of Khorramabad was 373-416 people.

The economy of Khorramabad is based more on agriculture, livestock, horticulture, handicrafts, and, to some extent, engineering industries. The leather industries, agro-industries, and generator making are among the active factories in Khorramabad. In addition, the cement factory, power plant, and steelmaking are the new industries in the city.

Lorestan is one of the first settlements in ancient Iran. Khorramabad, the capital of Lorestan Province, had played a very significant role in western Iran during the Sassanid era.

In the first periods of civilization and the appearance of government in Lorestan, the Kassites ruled in this region.

Khaidalou (the old name of the current city) was one of the major cities of the Elamite civilization in the distant past, before the advent of the Medes, Achaemenids, and Sassanids.

It is said that Shahpur II, the king of the Sassanid Empire, built Shahpur Khwast City (former name of the city during the Sassanid Empire) on the ruins of Khaidalou. During the reign of the Elamites on the west of Iran, Khaidalou, along with Madakto, Ahvaz, and Susa, was the major city of this ancient civilization.

The Elamite government ruined the city in 600 BC. After that, Shahpur I, the Sassanid king, ordered the construction of a great and magnificent city in the same place in the 3rd century. This city remained from the time of Shahpur I is the current Khorramabad. In the late 13th century, Shahpur Khwast was destroyed and completely abandoned.

This city continued as an important city during the reign of the Safavids and after the fall of Atabakan Dynasty in Lorestan. The Safavids gave importance to the prosperity of this city.

During the Qajar period, the beautiful city of Khorramabad included only a part of the neighborhoods surrounding Falak-ol-Aflak Castle. During this period, immigration to the city increased from small and large cities, which led to the emergence of new districts and the development of Khorramabad.

During the Pahlavi era, Iran constructed the stables, barracks, and headquarters for a division of the Iranian Army within the castle of 12 towers and Falak-ol-Aflak Castle.

During the eight years of the Iran-Iraq war, Lorestan Province had a lot of military and strategic importance due to its neighborhood with the three border provinces in the west and southwest. The Iraqi Army launched airstrikes against Khorramabad several times. It is the 5th most bombed city in Iran after Abadan, Ahvaz, Dezful, and Ilam.

Meanwhile, Lorestan province is the second most damaged province in terms of financial losses caused by the Iran-Iraq war.

Falak-ol-Aflak Castle

This is one of the most famous historical monuments in Khorramabad located on the ancient mounds and in the center of this city. The construction of this castle dates back to the 3rd century during the rule of Shahpur I, the Sassanid king.

The position and placement of the castle on the rocks make it valuable and worthwhile. You can see the historical valley of Khorramabad through this castle. It is one of Khorramabad tourist attractions that you don’t want to miss when you visit this city.

Brick Minaret

This cylindrical-shaped minaret is located on a cuboid rocky platform in the south of Khorramabad, in Ghaziabad Neighborhood. This minaret is known as “Brick Minaret”. In the past, Iranians used this monument as a watchtower for observing and guiding the caravans passing through the city as well as protecting the city. Historians estimate that the construction of Brick Minaret dates back to Deylamite Dynasty.