Sur Village and Its Amazing Rock-Cut Houses

Sur Village: A Historical and Architectural Marvel

Across Iran, there are historical villages whose structures and architecture are both fascinating and remarkable. Sur Village is one such village, renowned for its terraced layout and ancient rock-cut houses—homes that have led some experts to compare its historical value to that of Kandovan Village.

Location of Sur Village

This historic village is situated in the Benajuy-e Shomali Rural District, within the Central District of Bonab County. Sur Village lies in the northeastern part of Bonab, approximately 24 kilometers from the city. The surrounding landscape is stunning, with the Qaleh Chay River flowing two kilometers northwest of the village. Additionally, Mount Dozlagh is to the north, Mount Poligoni to the east, and Mount Farhad Dash to the southeast of the village.

Some scholars believe that at least since the 14th century CE (7th century AH), the rock-cut spaces—providing a secure and hidden environment for people—were used by Sufi communities. Interestingly, all of these dark spaces are interconnected through deep corridors and tunnels. The cave-like units on both sides of the village’s central river are also linked by a tunnel running beneath the valley. Based on these observations, several experts suggest that the creation of such a structure was a result of the villagers’ efforts to remain safe from invaders. Gradually, these hideouts evolved into permanent dwellings, with additional spaces such as animal enclosures integrated into them. This form of architecture and spatial design, combined with traditional facilities, represents a remarkable achievement.

In the center of the village, there is a spring with abundant water, which the villagers use for drinking. Besides this spring, rivers and streams flow around the village, providing ample water for the inhabitants and enabling agricultural activities. However, for better water management, a qanat was also dug in the village in the past. The village’s mountainous climate makes the winters very cold. Additionally, the surrounding mountains host fascinating caves, numbering 18 in total. The rock-cut houses are located along the two banks of the central river, stretching from the south to the east of the village, with some extending to the north and south. Some of the rock-cut rooms have an oval shape, and domes with skylights are built above certain rooms to provide natural lighting.

The rock-cut houses were entirely created using pickaxes, and the marks of these strikes are still visible on the walls. The excavation was carried out with such precision that ring-shaped structures were incorporated for tying the reins of pack animals in their designated enclosures. Columns are also present in the center of some larger spaces to provide additional structural support. The areas for keeping livestock and pack animals are separated from other spaces. In the corners of the rock-cut spaces, storage rooms were built to hold food for the inhabitants and their animals, as well as other daily necessities. Small niches are also present in the walls and stone foundations, which were used to hold oil lamps.