When visiting the country of Iran, travelers should not miss a trip to the village listed as a National Heritage site of this Middle Eastern country, captivating countless visitors with its unique architecture.
Kandovan is a remarkable cave village located in the northwest of East Azerbaijan province, Iran. This village is famous for its extraordinary architecture, where the locals have sculpted their homes from conical rock formations, creating a breathtaking landscape that enchants any traveler who sets foot there.
Kandovan is the only inhabited cliff village in the world.
With a series of closely clustered homes resembling corn cobs, Kandovan village gives visitors the feeling of being in a distant fairy-tale world. The homes, entirely hand-carved from solid volcanic rock outcrops, have gained international acclaim and are listed as a National Heritage site of Iran, mesmerizing countless tourists with their unique architectural features.
A Perfect Blend of Nature and Humanity
The village is built on the slopes of the Soltan Daghi and Sabalan mountain ranges. Geographic studies have shown that the cliffs in this village range in age from 700 to 1,500 years.
View of Kandovan village from afar.
Many theories have been proposed about how this mysterious village was constructed, with the most famous story recounting that when the Mongol army invaded Iran, the locals sought refuge in this remote area among the high mountains. The adjacent hills were formed from lava erupting from the nearby Sabalan volcano, prompting the inhabitants to begin carving out their homes.
The term “Kandovan” is believed to be the plural form of “Kandoo”, which means ‘beehive’ in Persian. This explanation seems plausible as, viewed from a distance, the village indeed resembles a large beehive.
Each rock formation shaped like a beehive is called a Karan, with each Karan having 2 to 4 levels, reaching a height of about 40 meters. The lower level is where livestock are kept, the second level serves as a fully equipped kitchen, the third room is for receiving guests and friends, while the topmost and narrowest room is used for storing food. Unlike typical rural homes, food here is stored in the highest area to avoid moisture.
The village is built on the slopes of the Soltan Daghi and Sabalan mountain ranges.
Another interesting aspect of these Karans is that there are no internal stairs, so if one wishes to ascend to a higher level, they must use outdoor stairs. The homes in Kandovan are built on a 70-degree slope, making it common to find stone or wooden steps throughout the village. Additionally, to ensure adequate lighting and ventilation inside, the locals have carved small square windows covered with colorful glass.
An Ancient Yet Vibrant Village
Despite its long, harsh winters, the residents here have adapted remarkably well. This is due to the fact that the homes they build are cool in the summer and warm in the winter, making it fair to say they are among the most energy-efficient homes in the world.
The inhabitants primarily rely on agriculture, beekeeping, or livestock farming. Thanks to the favorable weather and rich vegetation at the foot of the Sabalan and Sahand mountain ranges, the honey produced here is regarded as having exceptional quality.
Most residents here live off agriculture, beekeeping, or livestock.
Do not think that life here is very difficult, as they have all the amenities one would find in any other part of the world: workspaces, shops, schools, public baths, factories, and even a church built into the largest rock face here.
Although there are two other cliff villages in the world with similar structures, namely Cappadocia in Turkey and Manitou Cliff Dwellings in the United States, Kandovan remains the most unique village. Unlike the other two villages, Kandovan is the only inhabited cliff village in the world, with a population of 670 people.
Recently, the population has increased and many conventional homes have been built in the southern area, but the historic cliffs still paint a beautiful picture on the horizon.
This is the only inhabited cliff village in the world.
The unique architecture is not the only attraction here. Due to geological features, several natural hot springs have formed, with low mineral pollution and therapeutic properties.
Some cave homes today have been converted into hotels and guesthouses, offering a unique and memorable experience for tourists. For those interested in history, architecture, and nature, Kandovan is a must-visit destination.
