Qazvin

Qazvin Rugs: Echoes of Kashan Elegance at the Gateway to Paradise

Located in central Iran, Qazvin—once a capital during both the Sasanian and Safavid eras—is known as the Gateway to Paradise. The city’s population is primarily Pars-speaking, but Tati, Gilaki, and Azeri languages are also spoken across the region. Like much of Iran, rug weaving was once widespread among households in Qazvin.

The finest surviving Qazvin carpets date from the 19th and early 20th centuries, often drawing inspiration from Kashan designs, yet distinguished by their handspun wool piles and cotton foundations. Among its villages, Ardaq stands out for producing some of the region’s most refined kilims, known for their clarity and structure.

Today, antique Qazvin rugs offer a rare glimpse into the Persian workshop tradition as it flourished outside the main weaving centers—marked by regional pride and delicate craftsmanship.