Hegmataneh Hill in Hamedan is one of the most important archaeological sites in Iran, dating back to the Median and Achaemenid periods. This ancient hill reveals the remains of one of the earliest Persian cities, offering a vivid glimpse into the rich history and engineering of ancient Persia.
Archaeological excavations trace the origins of Hegmataneh Hill back to the 17th century BC, when Aryan tribes settled on the Iranian Plateau and founded their first empire. According to Herodotus, Hegmataneh became the capital of the Medes around 800 BC, containing a royal complex with a castle, treasury, and cantonment, all enclosed by seven concentric walls.
Covering nearly 30 hectares, Hegmataneh Hill is a vast archaeological complex that has remained largely untouched by modern construction. Excavations reveal an advanced city design with parallel streets paved with stone, large mudbrick houses, and a sophisticated water system flowing through wide channels.
Artifacts discovered at the site include ceramics, bronze objects, and stone works, many of which are displayed in the Hegmataneh Museum next to the hill. Other treasures are housed in museums and collections worldwide.
The site also preserves two historic Armenian churches:
St. Stephanos Evangelical Church (1886), now a museum of Armenian migration.
St. Stephanos Gregorian Armenian Church, originally built in 1676 and rebuilt in 1936.
These churches, along with an Armenian school, bathhouse, and cemetery, add cultural depth to the site.
The Hegmataneh Hill Archaeological Site is open from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. during spring and summer, and until 5:00 p.m. in autumn and winter. The best time to visit is spring or summer, as heavy snowfall and rain in winter may limit access.
For more information about Hegmataneh Hill (ancient Ecbatana), you can visit the UNESCO World Heritage Centre or the Wikipedia page on Ecbatana.
