Bandar Anzali City

Bandar-e Anzalī (Bandar Anzali) before the Iranian Revolution, was renamed from Bandar-e Anzali to Bandar-e Pahlavi by Reza Pahlavi)
Bandar-e Anzali (Anzali Port) is a harbour town ("Bandar" means "port") on the Caspian Sea, close to Rasht. Bandar-e Anzali is one of the most important seaports in the north of Iran. It consists of an island called Mianposhteh and the surrounding lands. Tourist attractions include a clock tower called Manareh, the long harbour promenade, and the water-logged delta of and beach along the Sefid River. Bandar-e Anzali is the port where the Polish Anders Army disembarked, in an operation that lasted from April 1 until October, 1942, after evacuating from the USSR. The Polish Cemetery in the city was created the same year.

This port is limited to the north by the Caspian Sea. Irrigated by the Chak Rood, Masal and Khamam Rood rivers, Anzali enjoys a modrate and humid weather. This city is not very archaic from the historical point of view. However, the most ancient historical notes on Bandar Anzali refer to the year 863 AH., and mentions the same as a small village. From the early Safavid period, Bandar Anzali captured the attention of the British, Russians and the central government of Iran. As then Qazvin was the capital. The English established silk trading companies in Moscow, and this aided in making the Rasht - Anzali - Baku route to Europe flourish. Consequently, Anzali came to be known as the 'European Gate'.

During the period of Nader Shah, Bandar Anzali was converted into a transportation base. But late in the reign of Naseredin Shah and during the rule of Mozaffareddin Shah, trade reached its peak. After the undertaking of the communists and the formation of the Soviet government, the trade status between Iran and Russia severely changed and Anzali lost its former glory as a trading port. When Pahlavi I came into power, due to the keen attention paid to this port, it was reconstructed and equipped with port and shipping facilities. At present Bandar Anzali is one of the most beautiful cities of Gilan and is the most well equipped port of the Caspian Sea.

Geographical Information :
The Anzali Lagoon divides the Anzali Port in two parts. The town is connected by two bridges to the Beheshti Island. There is a caviar processing factory in Bandar-e Anzali, some old ruins from 19th century and the popular Shanbeh Bazaar. Tourbebar is a village about 40 kilometers from Bandar-e Anzali, near the Anzali Lagoon.