TEHRAN – Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Ezzatollah Zarghami paid a one-day visit to West Azerbaijan province, which is packed with important cultural heritage and tourism-related activities.
The minister along with his delegation arrived in Urmia on Saturday and inaugurated several projects, inspected ongoing restoration works and attended a number of meetings.
The Minister’s visit began in the early morning, when he visited Baderbourg Castle and assessed the ongoing restoration work aimed at transforming the ancient building into a boutique hotel.
In addition, state officials provided an update on the condition of the castle, the progress of the construction of the boutique hotel, and access routes to the historic recreation area.
The Minister committed to addressing the issues identified and stressed the need to expedite restoration efforts through necessary cooperation.
He stressed that the favorable climate in West Azerbaijan and Urmia provinces is a great opportunity to attract tourists, and stressed that promotion of tourist complexes and infrastructure is crucial for tourism development.
At his next stop, Zarghami visited Hedayat Ancient School, which now serves as a handicraft center and welcomes enthusiasts.
“The intersection of the province’s three missions is clearly evident in the Handicrafts Museum,” he noted, “which serves as a platform to showcase both artisan products and tourist attractions.”
The Minister emphasised that the Handicraft Museum offers artists a rare opportunity to undertake introductory and advanced training courses with masters in their field.
Zarghami expressed satisfaction with the joint efforts to establish a handicraft house in West Azarbaijan Province, describing it as a laudable initiative that can serve as a model for similar projects nationwide.
The minister also toured the historic Ansari House in Urmia, a Qajar-era building currently undergoing restoration under the supervision of the provincial Department of Cultural Heritage. Upon completion, the house will be repurposed as a boutique hotel, local officials said.
Zarghami also visited different parts of the Jamek Mosque in Urmia and inspected the condition of the historical monument. He assured that the ministry will allocate the necessary funds for the project.
“The planned square around Jamek Mosque should be designed to reflect the traditional style and blend in with the surrounding environment,” Zarghami noted.
Additionally, the Minister visited the Safavid-era Urmiya Bazaar and interacted with merchants. In addition to purchasing goods from the merchants, Minister Zarghami also toured the traditional bath house located within the bazaar. The Minister held frank discussions with several local residents and shopkeepers and addressed their requests and concerns.
At the end of the Minister’s one-day trip, about 41 projects in the areas of infrastructure, tourism and cultural heritage restoration across the state were inaugurated through webinars.
XF/AM
