Introduction
Darband is one of the fascinating areas of Tehran which is very famous among the people. Darband area is located on the north of Saad Abad garden and is one of the most visited places due to its pleasant and cool climate in summer. Such an area can be an ex-cuse to get away from the hustle and bustle of life that exhausts the human soul on a summer day and experience moments of peace by the mountains, water, and trees. Darband is one of the exciting and fresh areas of the capital, which contains a rich history with its 200-year-old chronicle. People say two men from Taleghan moved to this neighborhood in Tehran for the first time and were the reason for Darband’s settlement. Interesting to know, the boundaries and geog-raphy of the glorious summer region have not changed much, and to-day’s Darband is the same as several years ago.
History
Darband has long been considered by many kings and nobles of the city, so it was used as a summer resort and private entertainment ambiance. During the Qajar period, the Darband neighborhood re-ceived more attention than before and spent its golden age. Nasser al-Din Shah was one of the famous Qajar kings who visited the Pas-Qaleh village and its spectacular waterfall during the holy month of Ramadan. It was the time that the first dining hall was constructed on his order in the Darband neighborhood, which had a positive impact on the Darband’s prosperity. Years later, Mohammad Reza Shah or-dered the construction of a guest house and several villas along the river; the guest house, which was considered the most luxurious one in Tehran, was the accommodation for the prominent personalities and foreign guests. The Darband Guest House was renamed the Dip-lomat Hotel later. There are many historical monuments in such an area that prove the long history of Darband. The buildings such as a bath, several old reservoirs, an aqueduct that exists today, a large Tekyeh and two 200-year-old mosques, plus two ancient cemeteries.
Darband Neighborhoods
At present, this area includes many neighborhoods and valleys also the Darband River passes through it. Among the neighborhoods of Darband, we can mention Morq Mahaleh, Kalaq Par, Sarband, Torsh Mahaleh, the Shah Mahaleh, and Kenar Mahaleh. Strolling in alleys, you can still see tracks of the past, old houses with wooden doors, stone and thatched walls, and narrow lanes.
Darband and Mountain climbers
Darband region is located at an altitude of 1700 meters above sea level; it is one of the main routes for climbers to climb the Central Al-borz Mountains. To go to Darband, you have to start from a street of the same name in the north of Tehran. There is a mountaineer statue in the middle of Sarband square, at the entrance of Darband, that has become one of the Darband symbols of today. In 1958, a Persian mountaineer named Hossein Vejdan Khosh suggested the idea of building such a statue. In 1962, Reza Laal Riahi, a Persian sculptor and painter, made then installed it. From Sarband Square, you will encounter a mountainous area and towering mountains that lead you upwards; the Darband mountaineering route starts exactly from this square and ends at Shir Pala Shelter of Tochal mountain.
If you look around the Darband, recreational facilities have been pro-vided so that you can have better and more pleasant hours there.
Darband Telesiege
Sitting on a telesiege and looking at the area under your feet can be one of the most spectacular things you can do in Darband. Telesiege station is on Sarband Square; you can enjoy the enchanting scenery from above, restaurants in the heart of the mountains and cliffs, lush valleys, and the river flow among them.
This Telesiege was built about forty years ago on the heights of Dar-band and in the past was used only by climbers and people living in the surrounding villages, however, it has become one of the recrea-tions of ordinary people nowadays. Each cable car seat has a capaci-ty of 2 people, and you should have a speed of action to get in and out of it.
Hiking and mountaineering
One of the entertainments in Darband that does not require special equipment is walking. You have to take the spiral path between the crowds of restaurants, cafeterias, and coffee houses, which contain a steep slope in some places and also pass by delightful rivers. Hearing the sound of the river flowing along the path to the top of the moun-tain is another attraction that can be experienced only by trekking in Darband. The other attractive sight of such an area is Darband Moun-tain. Among the picturesque landscape, the twists and turns that Darband Mountain contains will captivate you initially. Mountaineering fans are interested in Darband due to climbing the peak of Tochal from this area. Many climbers use Darband’s route to reach the re-sort.
Food Walk
Food Walk in Darband shows a lot of variety. Enjoying delicious food, the taste of authentic Persian fare on traditional tables with a magnifi-cent view of nature will be a unique opportunity for you. Another case of Food Walk in Darband is the cafeterias, which are especially popu-lar among young people. Such ambiances are suitable to spend a re-laxing evening and enjoy hot tea. You can also try sour and delicious meals; Thick slices of Lavashak (dried fruits) prepared with all kinds of fruits could be enjoyable for you.
Dreamy nights in Daband
The nights of Darband are stunning; hiding the beautiful nature, they create a dazzling view with the bright lights of the passages, restau-rants, and cafes.
Imamzadeh Ibrahim Darband
One of the famous sights of Darband is Imamzadeh Ibrahim. This memorial is in one of the alleys of the Pas-Ghaleh village, where in-vites you to climb 151 steps to reach the shrine’s courtyard. The shrine of Imamzadeh decorated with a green dome, and its architec-ture is related to the Qajar period; the green shrine is wooden and gives you a spiritual mood. Imamzadeh Ibrahim is a peaceful and qui-et place for entertainment, sightseeing, and worship of visitors.
Twin Falls
Having passed the Pas-Ghaleh village, you will see a sign of the twin waterfall at a crossroad. In general, from Sarband Square, you need about three and a half hours to arrive at the remarkable waterfall; This waterfall is called twin because it branches off while descending. Darband Twin Waterfall is one of the majestic waterfalls in Tehran, which is a seasonal type, consists of melting snow in spring and summer.
Shirpala Shelter
Shirpala Shelter is located about 50 meters above Twin Falls. The shelter was built in 1962 for the well-being of climbers and is still an accommodation to many athletes. Shirpala shelter is very well equipped and suitable for a cozy night. Shirpala in the Mazandaran dialect means Shir-Berenj (Persian dessert), which has been the main food of cattle breeders in ancient times.
Osoun Valley
Osoun Valley is a safe place to stay for several hours. If you do not have the necessary picnic stuff, you can stay in the valley restaurants, experiencing the ultimate pleasure in such a place along with the en-joyable nature.
Sutak waterfall
After a short walk up the Osoun Valley, you will face another cross-road that indicates the Sutak waterfall’s route on the left. The waterfall is located at an altitude of about 2133 meters in a mountain called Band-e Yakhchal.
Darband Residence
A hotel has been built in the heart of the mountains named the Osoun Hotel. There is intended for mountaineers, however, if you want to spend a night in the Darband neighborhood, the hotel will be a good choice.
