Travel Guide Mont Damavand

Mount Damavand, «the extinct volcano,» is one of Iran's symbols. Located north of Tehran, in the Alborz chain, its eternal snow summit grows at 5,671 m above sea level. Its volcanic cone, in the same form as Mt. Fuji, appears on the 10,000 RI bank notes and the mineral water bottles. In clear times and in times of less pollution, it is distinguished from the plane when arriving on Tehran.It was in Damavand that Rostam, hero of the Shâh Nâmeh or the Book of Kings, a Persian epic brought into the xie century, would have chained the demonic Dhahak, which will only be released at the end of time. The volcano would also house the Simurgh, a fabulous bird that reborn its ashes and whose feathers have a magical effect. Linked to Zal and Rostam, two of the mythical figures of the Book of Kings, the Simurgh is a protector of legendary kings and Iranian sovereignty. A symbol of royalty, it also represents, in the Sufi eyelcerism, an originative figure enlightened by divine light, even by the invisible presence of God himself. The intrusion of the Mongols into Iran sets the appearance of the Simurgh, thus modeled on that of his Chinese cousin, the Phoenix, whose motive is conveyed by the objects of Mongolian commerce. From the second half of the thirteenth century, he confuses himself in the representations with this one.