Masjed Soleiman
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 `Tolghor`, 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.