Historical Tourism in South Khorasan with an Archaeological Approach: A Case Study of the Historical Urban Fabric of Toun/Ferdows

Anani, Bahram; Eshghi, Elnaz; Nahari, Morteza

doi:10.22034/hgj.2025.516273.1039

Historical Tourism in South Khorasan with an Archaeological Approach: A Case Study of the Historical Urban Fabric of Toun/Ferdows

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

bahram anani ¹

Elnaz Eshghi ²

morteza nahari ³

¹ Assistant professor, Archaeology Department, Faculty of Conservation & Restoration, Art University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran

² Master's student, Art University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran

³ Independent Researcher, General Department of Education, Ferdows County, Iran

10.22034/hgj.2025.516273.1039

Abstract

Developing countries see the tourism industry as an opportunity to grow and diversify their economies. Iran, given its unique geographical and historical position, can provide a suitable platform for the growth and development of the tourism industry. The ancient city of Toun, also in past known as Ferdows, located in South Khorasan province, is one of the regions that, due to its position and role in history, holds a part of Iran's past culture within it. This point can be seen through the ancient urban fabric and numerous buildings of this city, which have remained from past centuries. Since most of these structures often belong to the late Islamic periods, namely the Safavid and Qajar eras, abundant remnants of them have survived. Unfortunately, due to its specific geographical location, this county has remained hidden from the eyes of tourists and archaeologists. The aim of this research is to introduce the old city of Toun during the Safavid and Qajar periods with the goal of creating tourism opportunities in the eastern region. The importance of this research is clarified when we realize that so far, not much study has been conducted on the ancient urban fabric and Islamic architecture of this region. The research method is applied in terms of purpose, and the data collection method has been field-based and library-based. The studies conducted indicate that archaeological studies can introduce the ancient urban fabric of Toun as one of the tourism hubs in the eastern regions of Iran. At the end, the authors offer suggestions for the conservation and optimal use of the ancient urban fabric of Toun.

Keywords

Islamic Architecture

Historical Tourism

Ancient City of Toun

Archaeological Monument

Subjects

Theoretical studies of art

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