Aligudarz


Aligudarz, also known as ‘Ali Gudār, is a city and capital of Aligudarz County, Lorestan Province, Iran. At the 2006 census, its population was 78,690, in 18,115 families.
Aligudarz is located 420 km from Tehran and situated in a region which is a mixture of plain and foothill, thus enjoying a mountainous mild climate. Oshtorankuh Mountain range and Aligudarz River are situated here.

History

The origins of the city are unknown. The city of Aligudarz was once called Al-e Goodarz.
In the past, the monastery of this city was a religious training center for the Qizilbash and darvishes.

Main sights

In the mountains and hills around Aligudarz, ancient objects have been discovered including rectangular brick earthenware from the thirteenth century AD.
Important natural and historical sites of Aligudarz include:

Ethnicities

The city's inhabitants belong to the Bakhtiari ethnic group, and they language is Luri. The overwhelming majority of the population are of the Shia Muslim confession. Throughout the centuries very large numbers of people of Khunsar and Golpayegan have settled in the city. There was once a Jewish community that has either been assimilated into mainstream Islam or emigrated out of the city. The last known Jewish inhabitants fled the city during the Islamic Revolution.

Notables from Aligudarz