Abyaneh Mysterious Historical Village

gine going for a stroll around an animated Disney town or village. What a thrilling prospect! Visit lovely Abyaneh to make it a reality rather than dream it!

Abyaneh Village, often known as "Red Village," is a unique Iranian village located 87 kilometers south of Kashan in the province of Isfahan. The village is not like other villages! The traditional village of Abyaneh is unique because it seems red in hue, and the people's attire is similar to that of cartoon characters. A unique terraced town with gorgeous red homes may be found on a slope. A living museum, Abyaneh Village displays 1,500 years of Iranian history. It preserves artifacts from the Sassanid (224-651 AD) through the Qajar eras (1789–1925 AD). Do not miss this charming village during your drive from Kashan to Isfahan.

This post introduces you to the historical Abyaneh village and its highlights.

The History of Abyaneh

Many Zoroastrian believers ran from their homes during the Arab conquest of Persia in the 7th century. They sought refuge in the nearby mountains or deserts to avoid being compelled to convert to Islam.

The village stretches out alongside a river. While the community is located at a higher altitude, three castles were erected in the past to defend the inhabitants from invaders. In addition, the village's design shields it from robust winds and flooding.

The Harpak Zoroastrian Fire Temple, constructed during the Achaemenid era, is the oldest structure in Abyaneh (550-330 BC). Before the community completely embraced Islam, this fire temple was an important religious site for its mostly Zoroastrian residents. Yet, the Safavid dynasty was when it was at its peak.

The village is known locally as Viona. In their dialect, the term Vi means willow, and Viona is the name of a willow forest. Locals gave their village the name since Abyaneh used to be a willow forest there.

The village is known locally as Viona. In their dialect, the term Vi means willow, and Viona is the name of a willow forest. Locals gave their village the name since Abyaneh used to be a willow forest there. The age of the village is still being determined due to a lack of conclusive evidence. The settlement, however, is believed to have existed throughout the Medes period (700 BC). Yazdi dialect and Zoroastrianism are two characteristics that the locals identify with. They still carry out several Zoroastrian ceremonies and rituals in particular.

Abyaneh Village Architecture

The house's similarity in appearance is a beautiful feature of Abyaneh's architecture. Most doors are wooden, have two knockers, and were constructed in traditional designs.

There are lovely carvings, Quranic phrases or poems, and occasionally the names of the owners and masons on the doors. These poems provide a clear portrait of traditional Iranian culture.

Some of the facades belong to the Safavid Era. Little seating areas allow locals or bystanders to take a short break.

At Abyaneh, most homes have balconies that extend into the alleyways and are decorated with vibrant and beautiful flowers.

The door knockers are one of the most attractive features of Iranian antique wooden doors. Each house often has a pair of doors with various door knockers. One is shaped like a long snake, the other like a round ball. What makes a difference? It has a fascinating backstory, too! Historically, circular door knockers have only been used by women, whereas men have only used long ones!

These two door knockers make two different noises, which helps the owner determine if a man or woman is knocking on the door. If the caller is a woman, a woman answers the door, and vice versa. If no males are around, the woman can be ready by donning a hijab in case a man waits for her behind that door.

Abyaneh Language

Parthian Pahlavi is the native tongue of the inhabitants of Abyaneh. They are steadfast in their commitment to maintaining their traditions. Even if a local is highly educated, while returning to the village, they dress in traditional Abyaneh attire.

Because of the mountainous area and its remote location away from population centers and roadways, the residents of Abyaneh village have managed to preserve many of their ethnic customs and traditions, including language and their historic dialect. The Abyaneh population speaks the northwest Iranian language. A small number of the original Pahlavi words may be heard in their dialect since it has undergone significant alteration.

Abyaneh Traditional Clothing

Their ethnic attire is an illustration of really ancient customs. A woman from Abyaneh received her grandmother's bridal gown.

Men often wear a relatively loose pair of slacks with a coat, while ladies don a long white scarf with a floral design called Charghad that covers the shoulders and upper trunk. These folks are staunch upholders of this traditional attire.

Although the village is small, the inhabitants of it are full of unknown tales, and there are many enigmatic things for tourists who enjoy learning new historical facts to investigate.

Life in Abyaneh Village

The livelihood of the Abyaneh people is centered on agriculture and livestock management using conventional practices. Women participate in economic issues at a higher rate than males. Seven aqueducts in Abyaneh are used to water the gardens and farmland. In Abyaneh, one may find wheat, barley, potatoes, and fruits, particularly apples, plums, pears, apricots, almonds, and walnuts. Over 30 workshops have been developed as carpet has grown in popularity recently. Nowadays, women no longer work at traditional shoe weaving, a typical female occupation.

Unique Characteristics of Abyaneh

 Abyaneh is a real-life anthropological and architectural museum. It offers a fascinating paradigm of environmental adaptability. The roof of each house in Abyaneh is the courtyard of the one above it, similar to other mountainous villages in Iran like Masouleh or Uraman Takht. However, Abyaneh has maintained its traditional architecture, culture, rites, garments, dialect, etc., which is why this ancient village is on the Tentative List of UNESCO World Heritage Centre.

The texture of Abyaneh is confined, with steep and little alleyways. Wood, mud, and straw construct roofs in this mountainside community.

Iron oxides are present in the soil surrounding the settlement, giving it a distinctive reddish tint. The homes match the color of the rock above the settlement since they are made of the same red soil and mud bricks.

The houses and walls are constructed from red mud bricks, which are stunning. To receive the most sunlight, the houses were constructed with eastward-facing facades.

The modesty of the homes and inhabitants paints a picture of rural Iranian life. A single room, for instance, may serve as a sitting area, a dining area, a guest room, and a bedroom. Architecturally speaking, cold-season rooms are distinct from warm-season ones.

Several little windows are all around the walls to let light into the dwelling. The dimensions of the rooms, doors, and windows show the modesty of living in this historic village.

Abyaneh Village Attractive Highlights

Temples, caravanserai, mosques, and castles are just a few of this enchanting village's historical, natural, and religious treasures. Visitors may also take in cultural activities in the village, such as the Rose Water Festival, which is held in late May. Let's look at what the village has to offer.

Zoroasterian Fire Temple

The oldest Abyaneh monument is the fire temple. It is an example of a Zoroastrian fire temple constructed in a community in a hilly area. The four-vaulted fire temple, Harpak, is located in the Miyandeh district.

In the past, people used coal to start the sacred fire in the center of the temple. The main architectural characteristics of this Zoroastrian artifact are a fire altar, a ritual space, a lobby, and a modest hall on a lower floor.

Abyaneh Jame Mosque

This mosque has two rooms and is situated in the "Miyundeh" neighborhood of Abyaneh. A little entrance in the ancient room connects to the central alley. Its floor is made of wood, and on the chamber's southern wall is an ancient wooden altar built in 477 AH and one of Abyaneh's most revered landmarks. On this altar, there are carvings of plants and flowers. Specific Quranic phrases are inscribed there with embossed Kufic lines; some think this is cuneiform writing.

Construction of the mosque began in 466 AH, containing a Seljuk-era wooden pulpit. There are flowery designs and Kufic writings on the pulpit. Also carved onto the mosque's entryway are flowers, plants, and embossed lines. The mosque's new chamber is a sizable hall with a central opening at the roof. The hall has pillars with capitals that are intricately carved. There are Quranic verses inscribed on the walnut wood ceiling of this hall, which is framed with a traditional geometric design.

Abyaneh Castles

Three castles are located in the southwest and are part of the Yusmun area in Abyaneh. The building documents for this castle, which date back roughly 200 years, are also available. The Hardeh district is home to the Hardeh castle, located northeast of the village. The Paleh castle, located northwest of the settlement, is a part of the Pol district. These castles date back to the insurgency era when individuals erected them to protect their security and were consequently watchful there.

Abyaneh Islamic Shrines

A sacred shrine is located to the east of the Abyaneh Traditional Village. The shrine is embellished with an exquisite pond in the center, turquoise tilework, writings, a wooden Minbar (pulpit), and an octagonal dome. The other shrine is located in a valley southeast of the settlement. Locals credit the daughter of the seventh Imam with constructing this holy site (Islamic leader). According to rumors, she was being pursued by her adversaries when the townspeople intervened to save her. They eventually constructed this monument in her memory. Some think Anahita, the Zoroastrian goddess of water, was honored at the shrine's original site.

Hajatgah Mosque

This Safavid-era mosque is situated next to Mount Sakhreh Kuh. Wooden pillars in its sanctuary support it, and specific Qur'anic phrases have been written on them.

Porzaleh Mosque

This mosque, located in one of Abyaneh's oldest neighborhoods, has a stunning interior. The mosque was built in the 14th century, according to the date engraved on the front entrance. The carvings on this door, the earliest one discovered in Abyaneh, are strikingly reminiscent of those on Bayazid-e Bastami's tomb in Shahroud.

Abyaneh Accommodations

There are two hotels in Abyaneh, the first of which is called Abyaneh Hotel. A historic residence by the name of Harpak can be found in the village's center, and another hotel in the lower part of the village called Viuna. The spring and summer are the ideal times to visit Abyaneh. The village has its charm and its audiences in the fall and winter. The Abyaneh Hotel's seasonal tours are available during this time. Several tourists visit this village around the New Year and Ashura; therefore, they can participate in national and religious ceremonies.

Abyaneh Climate

Abyaneh Village's unspoiled culture results from its remote location in the highlands, making it difficult for outsiders to visit. Due to its 2,500 meters above sea level elevation, Abyaneh has frigid winters and wonderful, temperate summers. The village is frequently blanketed with snow throughout the winter.

How to Reach Abyaneh

Both the Kashan-Natanz Road and the Isfahan-Kashan Highway lead to this area. The distance from the lovely and verdant Kashan-Natanz road is around 22 kilometers. The road is covered in lush plants and is somewhat steep with valleys.

Bottom Line

Abyaneh is a historic village in the central district of Natanz in the Iranian province of Isfahan. It is located 70 kilometers southeast of Kashan and is 2,500 meters above sea level. Abyaneh is sometimes called Red Village because of its reddish soil and dwellings. Due to its ancient structures, it is one of the unique villages. The climate is lovely, and the location of Abyaneh is excellent.

The flat roofs of the lower homes serve as the yard for the top ones, and there are no walls around them in Abyaneh architecture. Abyaneh village appears to have many stories and is up to four stories tall in certain areas.

Eventually, this village is unquestionably worthwhile for visitors to Iran due to all these aspects.