Located 198 kilometers from the city of Sanandaj, Saqez borders West Azarbaijan Province in the north and the cities of Baneh in the west, Marivan in the south and Takab in the east. The city is located atop two hills separated by the Vali khan River and has a unique view of Simineh River (Silver River).
Saqez is considered one of the coldest regions of Iran with the lowest temperature recorded in the city being -43 degrees centigrade. The city has snowy winters and hot dry summers.
The history of the city goes back to the 7th millennium BC. Based on historical ruins and finds a like the Ziwiyeh Castle, some experts believe that the modern city of Saqez was the ancient capital of the Median empire Izirtu. Other experts believe when Sargon II (reigned 722 – 705 BC) attacked the Median Empire and forced them to flee to Ecbatana (modern day Hamadan) and made this city his capital.
Some say the name of the city is derived from the name of powerful Median ruler Cyaxares (reigned 625 – 585 BC), who turned the empire into a regional power. Others believe that the name of the city is derived from ‘Sacyz’ and is attributed to the Scythians who settled in the city during the reign of Cyaxares.
This city was repeatedly attacked by Assyrians and Romans. It is believed that excavations at the various sites in and around Saqez will shed light on its ancient history.
Saqez was governed by Ardalan Vassals (1169–1867), who traced their lineage back to the Sassanids (226-651 CE), for many years.
Saqez is the city of the arts. The city is one of the centers of Kurdish music and dance troupes, and has a long history in calligraphy.
Some of the prominent personalities to hail from this city include scholar, researcher and linguist Hamid Hassani (1968), Asian wrestling champion Abdullah Chamangoli (1972), poet Sheikh Nafe (1914-? and historian Omar Farouqi (?).
