Ray, Iran
From Open Encyclopedia
Image:Borj-toghrul.jpgImage:Bibishahrbanu.jpgImage:Rayy citadel.jpgRay, also spelled Rayy or Rages (ری in Persian) is the most historic city in the province of Tehran, Iran. Most notably, it is the birthplace of Rhazes.
The city is estimated to be more than two thousand years old, and was built during the Median Empire. It was known in Classical times as Rhagae.
After the Mongol holocaust the town was severely damaged and it gradually lost its importance in the presence of nearby Tehran.
Ray contains a famous shrine of a Shia saint Shah Abdol Azim, as well as a 13th century tower called Borj e Toghrol.
There is also a shrine there, dedicated to commemorate Princess Shahr Banu, eldest daughter of the last ruler of the Sassanid Empire. She gave birth to Ali Zayn al Abidin, the fourth holy Imam of the Shia faith. This was through her marriage to Husayn ibn Ali, the grandson of Muhammad, the prophet of Islam. A nearby mountain is also named after her.
External links
- Tehran province Cultural Heritage Organization
- Archeological site of an ancient Fire Temple near Ray.
