How to reach: You can take a car from Kashan to Abyaneh.
How old is this place? It is at least 1500 years old as there are some Sasanid remains.
The historical village of Abyaneh, which has cultural features and has maintained its traditions and ancient architectural style, hosting tens of thousands of foreign and Iranian tourists every year. This village is located 2500 meters above the sea level, and 40 kilometers from the city of Natanz on a steep foothill, IRIB reported.
This village is situated in northwest of Karkas Mountain of Zagros Mountain Range. The Barzroud River, which originates from Karkas Mountain, is the main source of the villagers’ drinking water. Its water is also used for irrigation of this village’s orchards and farmlands.
Abyaneh Village is home to valuable historical monuments, which manifest Iran’s rich culture. Live Traditions
The people of this village have lived in isolation for centuries, due to the mountainous region and the far distance
of this village from crowded regions and major roads. Hence, they have maintained their ethnical and traditional
customs, including their traditional language andclothes from ancient times.
Some researchers believe that the language of the people of this village has Avestan roots.
Meanwhile, their clothes are similar to those of Bakhtiari nomads, which is said to belong to Sassanid era.
Men in this village wear ordinary clothes, and long, black, and baggy trousers. The clothes of women include
a floral scarf, floral dresses, and pleated skirts.
Credit: Iran Eco Travel
In addition to assisting men in farming and animal husbandry, local women are engaged in handicrafts and
traditional industries such as carpet-weaving, production of sneakers and silver ornaments, and manufacture of
decorative items from Esphand (wild rue seeds).
The people of this village hold religious ceremonies such as mourning ceremonies on the anniversary of martyrdom
of Imam Hossein (AS), the third Imam of Shiites and many people come from nearby cities to participate
in these mourning ceremonies.
The indigenous and ancient architecture of Abyaneh Village has turned it into one of the most beautiful villages
in the world. Its historical monuments include a fireplace belonging to Sassanid era; Anahita Temple, castles, mosques, holy shrines, and houses belonging to Safavid era, as well as a monastery and a water storage.
We find historical buildings in Abyaneh which belong to Seljuk, Safavid, and Qajarid eras.
Architectural Style
The village’s multi-storey buildings, which are made of red clay, are very interesting. The red clay is secured from a mine, outside this village. Some say that the further the rainfall the more solidified this red clay becomes.
Given the location of Abyaneh Village on a steep foothill, the rooftops of lower houses are the courtyard of upper houses.
Source: Samondeo
Meanwhile, the architectural style of Abyaneh houses is in tandem with the regional climate. A number of arrangements have been made to prevent energy waste in cold and warm seasons.
The outer thick walls made of sun-dried mud bricks, walls and roofs covered with mud and straw, and wooden
ceilings have all given a particular identity to this village.
The doors and windows of the buildings are all made of wood.
The balconies with wooden banisters, looming toward the roads, have added beauty to the facades.
Mosques
Abyaneh’s Mosque is one of the most important buildings. It has been renovated on several occasions. Its large
altar is made of walnut wooden logs, which are carved. This altar has been constructed in
1056 AD.
The Porzaleh Mosque, belonging to Ilkhanid era, and the Hajatgah Mosque, belonging to Safavid era, are the other mosques of Abyaneh Village. The ceilings of these mosques are covered with paintings and beautiful geometrical frameworks.
Abyaneh Village, with its historical monuments, pretty red houses, and hospitable residents is like a unique museum of anthropology.
How to Visit
After driving about 42 km to Dehji, along the road to Natanz, south of Kashan, visitors take the gravel road to the west before Hanjan Bridge where a sign indicates Abyaneh and Barzroud Valley.
Some 25 km along this road, they pass Hanjan Village to reach Abyaneh at the bottom of a gorge dominated by a small Mongol fort.
The main street goes right through the remains of the Zoroastrian fire temple, which is open on three sides and
has a ruined dome. In addition to the fire temple (belonging to the Sassanid period) in the village, there are three castles and mosques which are well worth a visit.
Source: IranDaily
