KANDOVAN
IRAN
2023
Contact
Kandovan, East Azerbaijan, Iran |
Kandovan village is one of the most famous and amazing natural and historical attractions in Iran. It is unique in the respect that it is one of the few rocky villages in the world where people still live. Kandovan is renowned for its pea-colored, cave-like stone houses carved by hand in the shape of a cone at the foot of the mountain.
Despite being located close to a modern city like Tabriz, after several thousand years it still maintains its originality and has experienced the least change in its simple and primitive lifestyle. Some archaeologists estimated the origins of this village to date back 3,000 years, while another group estimated it to be 6,000 to 7,000 years.
In 1997, the village was inscribed in the country’s Cultural Heritage list. Since then, the villagers decided to make a living through tourism and preserve their traditional houses whereby emigration rates to big cities decreased considerably. The resemblance of the stone houses to hives also encouraged the local community to introduce honey as a main product. Furthermore, local women decided to collect herbs to sell to visitors and transform a part of their houses into lodgings whereby tourists could experience a truly unique accomodation experience. As a result of their innovative efforts, the villagers’ houses have been preserved and the village remains an active presence in the rural tourism sector.
Alongside the village being inscribed in the country’s National Heritage List because of its unique natural condition, this has resulted in some challenges relating to construction work where strict rules and regulations exist. Additionally, erosion and climatic change have caused a concern for preserving rocky structures in the village. The establishment of the Cultural Preservation Centre has assisted in actively monitoring reconstruction and leading the research projects by East Azerbaijan Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Provincial Office.
HIGHLIGHTS
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National Heritage List
Kandovan stands as an exceptionally rare village in the global landscape, drawing tourists initially for its architectural marvels, but enchanting them with a wealth of unexpected delights.
As visitors arrive in Kandavan, they are greeted not only by its captivating architecture but also by a tapestry of diverse attractions, services, unique souvenirs, and exquisite handicrafts. Remarkably, the village’s rich historical ambiance and the presence of cherished traditional games like Kamabandzani have earned it a coveted spot on the National Heritage List.
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Authentic homestay experiences
Eco lodgings in this village used as residences for tourists are the historic local buildings and are in harmony with the village architecture. A range of soft furnishings are used in these lodgings like curtains, table dresses and pillowcases woven by the women of the village.
In all lodgings, hosts have created a specific area where their guests can admire and purchase a range of handicrafts. It is not surprising that stone is the main construction material used in building the main international hotel in the village.
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Natural Resources
The village itself is essentially a natural resource given that it has been formed as a unique hand-carved structure in the mountain flank. The Kandovan river flows through the village providing an easily accessible water supply to the locals. The mineral water is of high quality for drinking and can be used by visitors.
For the more adventurous visitors they may wish to visit Sahand, a volcanic peak and mountain range in northwestern Iran comprising 17 peaks with a height of over 3,700m. No doubt, tourists can bask in the abundant and unspoiled nature of the village and its surroundings.