Iran's Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts, and Tourism Organization (ICHHTO) has allocated 6.4 billion rials ($193,000) for the restoration and renovation of mosques and historical houses in Aran va Bidgol to help save the historical texture of the ancient city in Isfahan Province.
According to ISNA, 4.5 billion rials ($136,000) is to be spent on all 50 historical houses inscribed on the National Heritage list, while the remaining 1.9 billion rials ($57,000) will be used to restore the city's ancient mosques.
"Some of the historical houses have fallen into disrepair and are in need of extensive restoration," said Abbas Motevali, head of the ICHHTO office in Aran va Bidgol.
He said that renovation on some of the mosques has begun, and that the budget for each mosque varies depending on the extent of damage.
The official pointed to the organization's effort to renovate Maranjab Caravansary in Isfahan, and said, "Around 300 million rials ($9000) has been spent on the structure's roof which was threatening to collapse."
The budget for the current Iranian year (started March 21, 2015) to preserve and restore the province's cultural heritage and historical sites has been significantly increased, said Motevali, adding that a portion of the annual budget was given to the provincial ICHHTO upon President Hassan Rouhani's recent trip to Isfahan.
The official expressed hope that with proper planning and efficient use of the budget, contributed to by the government, donations, and the Aran va Bidgol Municipality, the city's historical texture will be completely renovated.
