Shalamzar Village

Shalamzar is a village in Savojbolagh County, Alborz Province. It lies in the northwest of the county, close to the village of Hiv. The village sits at the end of a road branching off from Hiv, and the area can be reached via the Tehran–Qazvin Freeway. With its ancient history, mountain scenery and rural way of life, Shalamzar is a good destination for travellers who enjoy exploring quiet places away from the bustle of the city. As for the origin of the village's name, it is said that "shalam" means tragacanth (gum tragacanth) and "zar" means a place of abundance, a name that refers to the tragacanth plant growing on the surrounding mountains. Other accounts of how the village got its name also exist. The people of Shalamzar speak Turkic in their own local dialect, and in the past farming, orchard-keeping and animal husbandry were among their most important economic activities. Work in the surrounding mines also made up part of the villagers' livelihood during the cold months of the year, when agricultural activity slowed down.

One of Shalamzar's attractions is its orchards, which are found in various parts of the village, especially in the valley between two hills. Walnut, grape and white mulberry orchards are among the area's best-known landscapes, and fruit trees such as cherry, fig and mulberry can also be seen in the village's gardens. Other natural features of Shalamzar include the Kahriz qanat and a valley known locally as "Jinli Dareh", which, together with the springs and water sources of the area, help keep the surrounding nature green. The village also has several ancient plane trees; some are said to be several hundred years old, and in some accounts about 1,200 years old, although this age has not been independently confirmed. The Sirab pilgrimage and tourist area is located at the far end of the village, and its mountain trail is appealing to hikers and nature lovers. The combination of orchards, mountain views, old trees and traditional houses creates a setting well suited to photography and to getting to know village life.

To travel to Shalamzar from Tehran, you can take the Tehran–Karaj road and the Tehran–Qazvin Freeway to the Hashtgerd area, then follow the road leading to Hiv and continue from there to the village. Because Shalamzar lies in a mountainous area, spring and early summer are usually the best time to enjoy its nature and orchards; early autumn, with its changing leaf colours and the atmosphere of the orchards, can also be pleasant for photography and strolling. On hot summer days, despite the rise in temperatures in recent years, the cooler hours of the day are better for walking, and in winter you should take road and weather conditions into account. When visiting the orchards and natural trails, please do not enter private land without permission, refrain from picking fruit or damaging the trees, and do not leave litter in the village or the surrounding nature. Respecting the peace of the environment and the daily life of the residents also helps keep Shalamzar a pleasant destination for nature tourism.