Rasht
The capital of Gilan province

Rasht, the capital city of Gilan province, is one the most important cities of this region. This city is situated in a vast plain at a distance of 30 km from the Caspian Sea in the slopes of the northern Alborz Mountain Range. The climate of Rasht is humid and unstable. Dominant wind currents from the Caspian Sea blow northeast to southwest, and annual precipitation is relatively high.
The history of Rasht dates back to the pre Islamic period i.e. the Sassanid era. The independent governors of this region were called "Gilanshah" before the Arabs ínvasion. In the year 682 CE, after the conquest of Iran by Arabs, the name of Rasht was mentioned in historical documents for the first time.
In the Safavid era, especially in the reign of Shah Ismail, Gilan land was composed of two sections of "Biehpas" with the centrality of Rasht, and "Biehpish" with the centrality of Lahijan . During the reign of Shah Tahmaseb I, the governance of both parts was assigned to "Khan Ahmad Gilan". Finally, Shah Abbas I conquered Gilan.
In the year 1695 CE, Stephan Razin, a Russian sailor plundered the city. The army of Peter the Great conquered the city in 1722 CE. And they remained in the region till 1734 CE. The Russians again conquered this city in 1917 simultaneous with the Socialistic Revolution in Russia.
In 1901 due to outbreak of epidemic plague, many people lost their lives. In 1937, an expanded revolt happened in the region to get "road tax" from Russians, but the central government suppressed the movement.
The people of Rasht played a very important role in the Constitutional Revolution. Russian and British army as well as local rebels attacked Rasht City during the World War I (1914-1918). In 1920, Rasht became the arena of revolutionary movements again. When the Red Army conquered Baku in 1918, the navy of White Army took asylum in the Anzali Port, which was under control of British army. The commander of the Red Navy chased them and conquered the Anzali Port and as the result the British Army retreated. This event encouraged revolutionaries of Gilan to establish an anti-British government under the leadership of "Mirza Kouchek Khan-e Jangali". British forces evacuated the city and went to Baghdad. Finally, Iranian army defeated the movement and a treaty was signed with Russia after which they evacuated the city.
Today, Rasht as the capital of province is the most important trade center between Caucasia, Russia, and Iran and holds considerable tourism facilities.
Village of Masouleh
This thousand-year-old village resembles an anthropological and architectural museum, which is located 60 km southwest of Rasht and 25km west of Fooman in the western most part of Gilan Province. Even though Masouleh is close to the Caspian Sea, but it is 1,050 meters above sea level. The difference between the highest and lowest points in the village itself is 100 meters.
The history of Masouleh dates back to 10th century CE and in past times the village was also known as "Maasalar" and "Khortab".
The architectural style of the homes in Masouleh is stair shaped and is remarkable. They are continuous and uninterrupted and have been built in the heart of the mountain. A very interesting point about the homes in Masouleh is that courtyards and roofs are basically meaningless and do not serve their traditional roles and instead serve as pedestrian areas for passersby just like a street would.
Masouleh is the only village in Iran, which forbids all motor vehicles from entering it. The yellow-clay is the predominant external facade of most of the structures in Masouleh, which serves for better visibility in fog. The 3000-meter long mountains surrounding Masouleh are under the cloud of fog very often. Masouleh has a population of almost 800.

Masooleh

The historical town of Masooleh , having an attractive nature and a wonderful architecture with an antiquity of more than 1000 years, is situated at a distance of 35 km from Fooman and 60 km from Rasht , and 1050 m. above the Caspian sea. Masouleh is registered as historical towns in the historical & cultural heritage register under the number 1090.
From the architectural point of view this town is unique in the world, so that the yard of a house is the roof of another one. This beautiful complex , remained from history with traditions, manners and customs, handicrafts , and many natural and historical sites , is the host of thousands of eager guests and travellers every year.
Taleshi (dialect) is spoken in Masouleh which consists some Russian, Turkish, Arabic, Persian and Guilaki words.In the past, Masouleh was also called Khortab Khani, Bishatolbaqareh and Masalar, probably the town was near a mountain named Masalar and by passing the times it is changed to Masouleh.In the past ages, people were settled in a higher place named Kohneh Masouleh which was 8 km. far from the new town, it is probably they removed to Masouleh for some events such as Storm, Flood, Earthquacke, Epidimical diseases or War.

Religious Attractions of Masooleh :
There are some important historical events in Masouleh concerning to Onebn Ali, One of the Aqa sei'd Jalaladdin's companians, son of Imam Mousabn-ja'far(pbuh) who was enjured and burried there in the third century A.H. The other one is the death of Kheironnesa Beigom daughter of King Smail Safavi in 938 A.H. who had come to the area for medical treatment and enjoying the fresh mountainous air.
Rabino says: "Masouleh enjoys of five parts: Kesh-e-sar-e-bala, Kesh-e-sar-e-pain, Masjed bar, Asad Mahalleh, Khaneh bar. The village has also two bathrooms and three caravanseries and Bazars. It has 400 shops and a grinder for grinding pomegranate skin which is used in dyeing." Masouleh enjoys pleasant and moderate weather as a mountainous region. Due to being located on Caspian strip and having also suitable soil it is covered with loxuriant forests such as Tosca, Walnut, Hazelnut and Pasturages.
Besides, There are waterfalls, small rivers and springs, that totally have created a beautiful and eye-catching natural landscape. Mountains of Masouleh enjoy some mines such as iron, Quartz, China root, Cristalian, zinc and Galena. In the time of king Fathali Qajar , existance of these mines caused to make connons of Iranian artillery in Masouleh .

Natural Attractions of Masooleh :
Masouleh Roodkhan Waterfall - with a height of 20 m.
Khoram Boo Waterfall .
Lar Cheshmeh Waterfall .
Siarood River.
Plangvar River.
Boozkhneh Cave - Known as Yakhkon .
Masouleh park .
Zamzam Mineral Water Spring - Its water tastes bitter because of ferros, the local people drink it with suger since it is useful for lung and digestive disorders.
Ali Zakhoni Mineral Water Spring - Having bicarbonate, it is useful for digestive disorders .
The most important handicrafts of Masouleh are such as kinds of knife and steel tools , making charooq,giveh, chamoosh ( kinds of shooses), weawing a simple kind of Carpet which is called Jajim (coarse) and Gelim (short-napped coarse Carpet), woolen socks and gloves and dolls, varieties of gates , windows, tables and chairs. Every tourist who comes to Masouleh , wishes to buy a small coarse or any other handicrafts as a souvenir.