To the rhythm of the wheels, vast barren stone mountains flickered past the window — giant titans, guardians of the Iranian plateau. From this side, the Alborz mountains looked exhausted by the sun and almost lifeless. Almost — because just a few dozen kilometers later, the train was already passing through ripe pomegranate orchards.
Not far from here stood a true feat of engineering, designed by the Italian engineer Cesare Delleani. Under his guidance, the tallest bridge of its time was built. An imposing structure stretching between two towering cliffs just outside the village. We turned off the main highway and drove straight toward it.