Saveh
Saveh (, also transliterated as "Sāwa") is a city in Markazi Province of Iran. It is located about southwest of Tehran. As of 2011, the city had a population of 259,030 people. History. 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 Middle Ages, it was a residence of the Dailamites and of the Seljuqs. 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. 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. Climate. Saveh has a cold semi-arid climate (BSk) in Köppen-Geiger classification system. Its summers are very hot and dry, while its winters are mild and somewhat rainy. Main sights. 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. Economy. Saveh produces large amounts of wheat and cotton. It is also well known for its pomegranates and melons. Kaveh Industrial City, the largest industrial city in Iran, is located in Saveh. Legends. 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. Politics. In 2004, Saveh became only the second city in the history of the Islamic Republic to appoint a  woman as mayor.