Modern-age Cave Dwellers in Kandovan

Kandovan

Kandovan is a cliff village near Tabriz, that is a fascinating place for travelers who can climb the steep steps to discover locals on your own.

About 60 km away from Tabriz lies Kandovan where exemplifies human-made cliff dwellings. It has a reputation of the rocky village which is still inhabited. Kandovan as troglodyte homes is similar to dwellings in the Turkish region of Cappadocia.

However, unlike Cappadocia, it is not a place only for visiting tourist. It is a village where life is going on. When you get closer to the area, these cones formed rock houses remind you of a large termite colony. This village with unique and hive-like architecture make any viewer curious to know what’s going on behind these cluttered cliffs.

The habitation of this village residents dates back to several thousand years ago when a group of people used the caves as a dwelling. Even after the fear and anxiety came to an end, many of the settlers decided to expand their homes and continue living in this village.

Kandovan has a minimal crowd of about 500 people. The houses consist of two to four stories as a living area, animal shelter, and storage. They need no supplemental heating or cooling because the rock acts as an energy efficient material. The rock keeps the house cool during summer and warm during winter.

These cave homes have been modernized with everything people need for living, and this is why inhabitants are known as modern-age cave dwellers troglodytes.

Things to do in Kandovan

It is a fascinating place for travelers who can climb the steep steps to discover locals on your own. Taking a stroll in Kandovan is an unforgettable experience due to distinctive rock-cut architecture. You can spend at least 2-3 hours having a look at cave shops providing local honey, dairy products, meat, and wool.

Women of Kandovan subsist by their handicraft such as weaving Kilims and colorful batik scarves. There is a beautiful natural spring which its water has been used for kidney stones treatment by locals.