Qalat Village of Shiraz

Among the natural attractions of Fars province, Qalat village is one of the exemplary destinations that has gained special fame because of its pleasant weather and attractive sights. The stone-paved path, terraced houses, green trees, unique nature, flowing springs, and deep valleys are beautiful attractions of this village that can leave tourists with pleasant memories.

Where Is Qalat Village Located?

Qalat is a yaylak village in the central part of Shiraz County, which is located 36 km northwest of Shiraz City and is 940 km away from Tehran. To reach the village, one has to travel 25 km on the road from Shiraz to Sepidan (Ardakan) where a sign shows the route to Qalat Village.

This mountain village is located at an altitude of 2065 meters above sea level, and because of the terraced texture of its houses, it was inscribed - as the first historical rural area of Fars Province - on the list of Iran’s national heritage in the year 2019 AD.

The village is located at the foot of a mountain called Qalat and is surrounded by mountains from three sides and the only way to access it is from the south.

Features of Qalat Village

The flow of the Qareaghaj River, which originates from a peak called “Tasak”, has made this village exceptionally beautiful. The village consists of two parts, the Old Qalat and the New Qalat, and entering the village begins at the New Qalat. The old part of the village and Qezel Arsalan Street are located behind the new part.

Since Qalat Village is located at the foothill of a mountain, its houses are built in such a way that the courtyard of each house is the roof of the lower house. The houses in the village are mostly one-storied, but there are also some two-storied houses among them.

The main materials used in the construction of the houses of the old part of the village are stone, clay, mud, plaster, and wood, while the houses of the new part are built with stone, cement, iron bars, and brick, which have made it possible to make multi-story houses in this part.

A view of the old fabric of Qalat village

The streams flowing in the winding streets of the village and the wilding plants and flowers by the side of these streams make the pleasure of walking in the alleys of the village infinite. Yarrow, hollyhocks, maidenhair fern, rhubarb, spear thistle, mountain thyme, pennyroyal, savory, mountain almond, ziziphora, echium, etc. are among the plants that grow in abundance in the village.

Geography and History of Qalat Village of Shiraz

Due to its unique features, Qalat was a resort for kings in the past. Qalat Village has a population of about seven thousand people. The dialect of the people of this village is a remnant of Southwestern Middle Persian and is similar to the Lori dialect. Like their ancestors, the people of the village wear Qashqai clothes in the ceremonies they attend. Agriculture and horticulture, along with animal husbandry, is the most important occupation of the people of Qalat Village. This village can also be considered one of the hubs of “Giveh” production in Fars Province.

Tourist Attractions of Qalat Village

There are many natural and historical attractions in Qalat that make visiting it a memorable trip for tourists. Some of these attractions include:

Historical Attractions of Qalat Village

Qalat Castle or Qezel Arsalan Castle, which is related to the 12th century AD and the Atabakan era. This castle is located on top of a hill.

Qalat Castle

A church that was built with stones in the early 20th century.
A private museum that was founded by one of the young people of the village and old coins and objects are on display in it.

Qalat village church, Shiraz

An old bathhouse, where, according to the villagers, Saadi, the famous Iranian poet, had bathed in the 13th century AD.
A 250-year-old mosque with one minaret.

Natural Attractions of Qalat Village

There are three beautiful waterfalls at the foothill of Mount “Kuhsorkh”, two of which can be easily accessed. The waterfall, which is smaller than the other two, is two kilometers away from the old part of Qalat Village. Apart from that, there is also a recreation resort by the “Shab Shotory” River.

Customs of Qalat Village

One of the most important rituals in Qalat Village is singing a song called “Washang”, which is sung at weddings and is similar to “Vasunak” (An Iranian folk song from Shiraz). The traditional game of the village is “Tarkebazi” or “Choobazi”.

Qalat Village was inscribed - as the first historical rural area of Fars Province - on the list of Iran’s national heritage in the year 2019 AD.