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Ilam Rugs are little known outside of Iran. I know The Joint Stock Company (Iran Carpet Company) has a good production of quality carpets in Ilam Province. I strongly suspect that these rugs are sold as other better know types of rugs since I never see them in the west.

In addition to the commercial production of better carpets there is also a production of village and tribal rugs. The Kilim to the right is a new Kilim based on traditional rug patterns.

Persian Rugs: Guide to Ilam Rugs and Carpets

Many of the weavers in Ilam are Luri who have a long cultural tradition of weaving.

Ilam Province is a challenging sparsely settled area making it one of the poorest provinces of the Islamic Republic.

First Snow fall in Ilam winter of 05/06.

The Ilam mountains are home of the Ilam Inverted Tulips. The are becoming endangered by massive picking to sell in the city bazaars.

Entrance of Ilam's Vaali Castle (IRNA Photo)

Ilam Castles Need Extensive Studies

Archeological studies should be conducted in the western province of Ilam’s castles to disclose whether they are strategically linked together or not, an Ilami archeologist observed. Habibollah Mahmoudian told ISNA that research carried out on the architectural style and construction materials used in the castles, which date back from early Islamic era to recent centuries, have revealed certain similarities. Locations, stuccos, guard chambers and other installations of the provincial castles have mostly the characteristics of Islamic architecture, he expanded.

Vali Fortress in Ilam. The monument dates back to Qajar era (1796-1925). (IRNA Photo)

The most important fact about the castles, the archeologist believes, is that they are tied together like the links in a chain. The forts protected vast areas of land to the north and south. Shayaq, Changhouleh, Malekshahi, Meymeh, Kharmeh, Esmail Khan and Koushk castles, which are located in a sequence in the northwestern region, form a defense line linking Yazdgerd Castle to the west of Kerman province, Mahmoudian stated. He called for more archeological operations to be executed in Kharmeh Castle and its defensive wall, situated on the peak of Kharmeh Mount and its adjacent highlands. Khan Fortress in Manasht and Ab-Anbar highlands, overlooking the capital city of Ilam, are also of special archeological importance, Mahmoudian stressed. He expressed hope that future studies would help shed more light on the historic mysteries of these forts.

http://www.iran-daily.com/1384/2464/html/panorama.htm