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Ghajari F, Anisi A. (2025). Historical Geography of the City of Narāq. Parseh J Archaeol Stud. 9(32), 269-289. doi:10.22034/PJAS.1288
URL: http://journal.richt.ir/mbp/article-1-1288-en.html

Abstract
Historic cities, as reflections of the interaction between natural and human forces over different periods, have always provided a basis for studying physical structures and spatial transformations. From this perspective, the historic city of Narāq—due to its particular geographical location along the communication routes from Kashan to western Iran and its access to natural resources and physical elements—has so far remained largely unexamined. The main objective of this study is to investigate and analyze the role of both natural and human geographical factors in the formation of the spatial structure and the physical transformations of Narāq throughout its history, an issue that has not yet been addressed in a comprehensive and systematic manner.   This study employs a descriptive–historical approach, utilizing both documentary and field data collection methods. Historical written sources—including geographical texts, travelogues, waqf deeds, and local documents—were analyzed.  The findings indicate that Narāq’s location along major historical trade routes and its access to water resources, combined with the region’s specific topographical conditions, played a pivotal role in its economic prosperity and in shaping the city’s linear spatial pattern during the Safavid and Qajar periods.  The findings indicate that Narāq’s location along major historical trade routes and its access to water resources, combined with the region’s specific topographical conditions, played a pivotal role in its economic prosperity and in shaping the city’s linear spatial pattern during the Safavid and Qajar periods. The interruption of these communication routes and the economic changes in the contemporary era have led to a decline in the city’s urban functions, creating a spatial disconnect between the historic core and the new urban developments. The research highlights the need to formulate conservation strategies and spatial regeneration plans that aim to restore the relationship between the historic elements and the city’s contemporary structure.
Keywords: Narāq, Historical Geography, Communication Routes, Spatial Structure, Historic City.

Introduction
Previous studies on the city of Narāq have primarily provided a brief examination of its physical fabric and individual historical monuments, without offering a systematic understanding of the role and impact of natural and human geographical factors in the city’s spatial and physical formation and transformation. Moreover, the alteration of communication routes in the contemporary period and the resulting disruption in the continuity of physical and functional connections have posed serious challenges to the city’s historical identity and spatial cohesion.
The central question of this research is how natural factors—such as climate, water resources, and topography—and human factors—including economic, cultural, and political relations—have, at different historical periods and in various ways, contributed to shaping the spatial and physical structure of Narāq, and what consequences this process has had for the pattern of the city’s contemporary development.
The study and analysis of the historical geography of ancient cities—particularly Narāq—is significant because these settlements represent a living reflection of the interactions between natural and human forces throughout history. Understanding the processes that shaped them provides a valuable basis for interpreting their spatial and historical identity, for planning sustainable development, and for formulating policies aimed at conserving urban heritage.
At a time when many of the country’s historic cities are facing crises of identity and physical integrity as a result of contemporary spatial and functional transformations, examining the factors that influenced the spatial formation and evolution of Narāq—as a prominent example of a strategically located settlement on the Iranian Plateau—can help identify development patterns that are better suited to local and historical contexts.
The necessity of this research also lies in filling the existing gap in systematic historical–geographical studies on Narāq and in clarifying the role of communication routes and natural resources in its spatial formation and subsequent transformations—an issue that has been largely overlooked in both national and regional research so far.

Research Questions and Hypothesis: The primary research question aims to identify the key factors that influenced the historical development of the city of Narāq. In particular:
• What role have human factors played in the city’s formation?
The primary hypothesis proposed in response to these questions relates to Narāq’s distinctive geographical position—specifically, its location along major communication routes. Although environmental factors such as water resources and agricultural lands played a crucial role in the formation and subsequent transformation of the city’s spatial structure, these developments were fundamentally shaped by regional connections and the city’s position on important trade routes.

Urban Structure of Narāq
The principal structural elements of a traditional Iranian city typically include: the Arg or Kuhandezh (citadel), the Shahrestan (main residential city), the central urban complex—comprising mosques, madrasas, bazaars, and neighborhood centers—urban connecting spaces such as alleys (guzar), squares, hosseiniyehs, and shrines, the outer section (rabad) with surrounding villages, gardens and farmlands, as well as water-related features such as qanats, cisterns, and icehouses (Tousili, 2012: 34).
Field surveys show that among these elements, Narāq essentially lacks a Kuhandezh (old citadel) that would have formed the basis for the city’s secondary development. This absence may be attributed to the history and type of early settlements in the region, characterized by numerous farmlands scattered across the geographical setting of Narāq. Kalantar Zarrabi, in his History of Kashan, describes it as follows:
“From Narāq, a great river and torrent descend from the mouth of Suk Cham, first from the southern and western highlands of Kashan, crossing the travelers’ road to Iraq-e Ajam and Arabia, and finally reaching the Kashan plain. Along the banks and surroundings of the river lie green and flourishing villages and farmlands.” (Kalantar Zarrabi, 1962: 17)
From a morphological perspective, Narāq exhibits a compact urban fabric oriented east–west, following the course of the river and parallel to the northern and southern mountain ranges. This layout clearly reflects the influence of geographical location on the city’s form. The urban fabric is shaped by two main thoroughfares:
• Imam Khomeini Street, which extends in an east–west direction, and
• Fazel Naraqi Street, which runs parallel to Imam Khomeini Street, starting from the eastern part of the city and leading westward to the Jame’ Mosque.

Conclusion
This study aimed to explore the historical geography of the city of Narāq and to explain the role of natural factors in shaping the city’s formation and spatial–physical transformations. The findings reveal that Narāq’s distinctive geographical location along the historical communication routes between Kashan and western Iran—especially during the Safavid and Qajar periods—provided an effective foundation for spatial development, economic prosperity, and the consolidation of its urban status. Abundant water resources, the linear topography, and the close relationship with surrounding fields and gardens, together with communication corridors running parallel to the river and valley, led to the formation of the city’s unique physical structure and the establishment of functional elements such as the bazaar, squares, and religious centers along east–west axes. Chronologically, it was shown that during the pre-Islamic and Sasanian periods, settlements were primarily located in the surrounding areas and on the elevated fringes. Gradually, in the Islamic era—particularly during the Safavid period—the city’s spatial and communicational center became firmly established near the river. This spatial pattern reflected the natural setting and the functional needs of the traditional society of that time. The analysis of more recent developments indicates that the redirection of major communication routes and the consequent disruption of the city’s functional connection with its former strategic networks have resulted in economic decline, spatial disjunction within the historic fabric, and the diminishing role of the bazaar, placing the city on a path of uneven contemporary transformation. Given Narāq’s limited population and the modest pace of migration, no major transformation of the city’s structure has occurred; its historical evolution continues to be shaped largely by natural advantages and geographical factors. The research demonstrates that a thorough understanding of historical geography and the application of traditional models compatible with the natural setting and the socio-cultural context play a crucial role in preserving and enhancing the city’s historic structure, both now and in the future.