The Ancient Kandovan Village

There is a strange village 18 km from Esko and 48 km from Tabriz, at the foot of Mount “Sultan Daghi”, which according to some experts, age of habitation in it about seven thousand years.

The History of Kandovan Village

Some experts believe that human habitation in the Kandovan Village dates back to seven thousand years ago. However, this village is believed to have been established in the 13th century AD. Most likely, the first residents of the village were people from the “Hilehvar” Village, which is located two kilometers west of Kandovan, to save themselves from the Mongol attacks.

Despite this strong possibility, there are several other opinions about the establishment of this human habitat. Some people believe that Kandovan Village was created by nomads who migrated to this area every year in the hot season. They settled for a while in the houses they had dug for themselves, and later all or some of them settled in these houses permanently to get rid of the suffering and difficulty of a nomadic lifestyle. Others attribute the creation of Kandovan Village to the warriors who dug trenches there, and these bunkers were gradually turned into houses.

It seems that the first houses of the village were dug in the place where the old mosque of the village is located and with the increase in the number of residents of the village, the houses were expanded first in the eastern part and then in the western side of the first houses. According to some sayings, in the past, every young man was required to have a house in the heart of the Rocks to be able to marry a girl from the village.

Features of Kandovan Village

Kandavan is located in the “Vidhar” or "Oskuchay” valley of Mount Sahand. Its weather is cold and harsh in winter and mild in summer. A mineral water spring, with its healing power, near the village has added to the importance of the village. From a distance, Kandovan village looks like a few tall rocks, but after approaching it gradually doors and windows installed on these rocks can be seen. Being dug and carved houses into the rocks, these houses are habitable even after centuries and without the need for any special repairs.

The houses in the village generally have two stories with the kitchen, store, and stables on the ground floor, and the dining room, bedroom, and living room on the upper floor. In terms of architecture, “Göreme of Cappadocia region” in Turkey can be considered a region similar to Kandovan.

What Does Kandovan Mean?

Kandovan Village was called “Kandjan” in the past, derived from the verb “kandan” meaning to dig and referring to the digging of village houses in the heart of the mountain rocks. These houses have been created in the volcanic rocks of Mount Sahand. However, some people attribute this name to the occupation of the people of this village, i.e. apiculture. They believe that due to the popularity of apiculture and the presence of beehives, the village was called “Kandovan” derived from the word “Kando” meaning “beehive”.

According to some others, Kandovan was originally “Kandivan” and consists of three words “Kandi”, “Eo” and “Van” which meant “one’s own house”. This view emphasizes the independence of each family in digging a private house and inhabiting it.

The Unique Features of Kandovan Village

Perhaps the most outstanding and special feature of Kandovan Village is the style of the construction of its houses. This way of life can be seen as a symbol of the coexistence of man and nature, in which minimal occupation of nature has taken place and houses have been built in the heart of the rocks. Nevertheless, the residents of the village have not neglected decorating their houses and have made them more beautiful by using sculpted and decorated doors, skylights, and windows.

The Ancient Kandovan Village was inscribed on the list of Iran’s national heritage in the year 1997.