12. Ancient Ray (Rey)
Ray, now a Tehran suburb, predates the capital by millennia. Once a prominent city of the Medes and later the Achaemenids, it hosts centuries-old fortresses and ruins, reminiscent of Old Jerusalem’s layered history. The city was renowned for its decorated silks and ceramics. Today, the Shah Abdol-Azim Shrine remains a significant Islamic sanctuary in the area (britannica.com).
