Masjed Soleyman City

Masjed Soleyman is situated to the north of the province, and has common borders with Esfahan and Chahar Mahal Va Bakhtiyari provinces. It accounts for being an important area as the 'winter residing quarter' for the Bakhtiyari tribes. This township is located in the mountainous areas as well as the plains, with moderate winters and warm summers. Its center being the city of Masjed Soleiman which lies at a distance of 1,030 km. from Tehran. Masjed Soleiman is one of the important cities of Khuzestan province regarding the oil industry. According to archeological discoveries, evidences relative to the pre-historic ages and cavemen have been observed here. Furthermore, it is believed that Hushang Pishdadi by means of two flints (stones) discovered fire in this area. Masjed Soleiman held importance during the various reigns such as, the Elamites, Medes, Parsees, Seleucidians, Parthians and the Sassanids. This vicinity was the birthplace of Chish Pesh Parsi. Near the current city of Masjed Soleiman is the great fire-temple from the Parthian and Sassanide periods. In the ancient times, this area was known as 'Tolqor', but in 1924 after the visit of Pahlavi I, and on his suggestion to the parliament, this vicinity was assigned Masjed Soleiman in the year 1926 by parliament, and today is one of the thriving and industrial cities of the province.