| Saveh | |
| Native Name: | Persian: ساوه |
| Native Name Lang: | fa |
| Settlement Type: | City |
| Pushpin Map: | Iran |
| Coordinates Footnotes: | [1] |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: | Iran |
| Subdivision Type1: | Province |
| Subdivision Name1: | Markazi |
| Subdivision Type2: | County |
| Subdivision Name2: | Saveh |
| Subdivision Type3: | District |
| Subdivision Name3: | Central |
| Unit Pref: | Metric |
| Elevation M: | 1008 |
| Population As Of: | 2016 |
| Population Total: | 220762 |
| Population Density Km2: | auto |
| Timezone: | IRST |
| Utc Offset: | +3:30 |
| Website: | |
Saveh (Persian: ساوه) is a city in the Central District of Saveh County, Markazi province, Iran, serving as capital of both the county and the district.[2] It is about southwest of Tehran.[3] [4]
In the 7th century BC it was a stronghold of the Medes. During the Parthian rule of Persia, it was called Saavakineh, and was one of the main hubs of the empire.
In the 11th century, it was a residence of the Daylamites and of the Seljuks. It was severely damaged by the Mongol invasion in the 13th century; it was restored during the Ilkhanids. Saveh was again sacked by the Timurids, but later grew under the Safavids. In the summer of 1725 the city was besieged and captured by the Afghans after a battle with Tahmasp Mirza.[5] It eventually lost much of its importance when Tehran became the official capital of Persia and, in the mid-19th century, many of the inhabitants moved to Tehran.
At the time of the 2006 National Census, the city's population was 179,009 in 48,221 households.[6] The following census in 2011 counted 200,481 people in 58,255 households.[7] The 2016 census measured the population of the city as 220,762 people in 67,230 households.[8]
Saveh has a hot semi-arid climate, (BSh) in Köppen climate classification and (BS) in Trewartha climate classification.[9] Its summers are very hot and dry, while its winters are cool to cold and somewhat rainy.
Saveh produces large amounts of wheat and cotton. It is also well known for its pomegranates and melons.[10] Kaveh Industrial City, the largest industrial city in Iran, is located in Saveh.
Outside the city are the fortresses of Esmaeilieh (35 km), Alvir and Ardemin (56 km, on the road to Hamadan), as well as the archaeological sites of Aveh and Alishar.
According to Iranian tradition, the Magi who visited the infant Jesus traveled from Saveh, and are buried among its ruins. Marco Polo described the tombs of the Magi in his travel book, Il Milione:
Saveh is said to have possessed one of the greatest libraries in the Middle East, until its destruction by the Mongols during their first invasion of Iran.
Another legend about Saveh is the Lake of Saveh. It is a lake which is said to have been located near the city. According to the legend mentioned in historical Persian texts, this lake dried out on the night of the birth of Muhammad. A recent investigation in the Zarand area between Tehran and Saveh has revealed some evidence of the existence of this lake in Zarand Plain.[11]
In 2004, Saveh became only the second city in the history of the Islamic Republic to appoint a woman as mayor.[4]