Abyaneh Red Village

Abyaneh, also known as Red village (because of its red soil and houses) is a historic village in the central district of Natanz in Isfahan province of Iran, 70 kilometers southeast of Kashan and It is 2,500 meters above sea level.

Abyaneh village attracts every traveler with its red houses, as local builders used the same red soil of the region to construct them.

When you walk through the narrow, stepped alleys of Abyaneh and see local people wearing their traditional clothes, you feel as if you have traveled back several centuries.

Moreover, the scenic mountain landscape and the lush orchards around the village fill the area with a calm and refreshing vibe, encouraging you to explore the paths, capture beautiful moments, and simply unwind.

Abyaneh History

This village has a remarkably ancient background, and some of its historical sites, such as Hinza Temple (the Temple of Anahita – the water goddess), date back to the Sasanian period (3rd–7th century CE) with possible earlier origins.

Moreover, the presence of the ancient Harpak Fire Temple (224–651 CE), three defensive structures around the village, and the distinctive architecture of its houses clearly show that the village held importance in different historical periods and that its people continued to live in this region without interruption.

In addition, the inscriptions inside Jameh Mosque of Abyaneh, which date back to the early Islamic centuries (8th–9th century CE), provide strong evidence of the village’s continuous historical life for more than a thousand years.

Furthermore, the local language of the villagers connects directly to the past, as they still speak a form of Middle Persian known as Sassanid Pahlavi, which goes back to the Sassanian era (224–651 CE).

During the Arab invasion of Persia in the 7th century, many followers of the Zoroastrian religion ran from their own houses and fled to the surrounding mountains or deserts to escape forced conversion to Islam.

Unique features

Abyaneh is like a living anthropological and architectural museum. It presents an interesting model of adaptation to the environment.

Similar to other mountainous villages of Iran, such as Masouleh or Uraman Takht, Abyaneh has stepped architecture with the roof of each house being the courtyard of the one above it but Abyaneh has kept its traditional architecture, culture, ceremonies, clothing, language, etc.

The village extends along a river. Although the village itself is situated on high grounds, in the past three castles were built to protect the people from enemies. Furthermore, the village’s configuration protects it from strong winds and floods.

that is why this historical village is on the Tentative List of UNESCO World Heritage Centre.

Traditional Houses of Abyaneh

The terrain around the village contains iron oxides, which give it a distinctive reddish color.

The houses have been built facing east to get the maximum sunlight.

The simplicity of the houses and people presents a picture of life in rural Iran. For example, a single room may be used as a sitting room, a dining room, a guest room, and a bedroom.

The rooms used in cold seasons are architecturally different from those used in warm seasons.

To provide lighting for all parts of the house, there are several small windows around the walls. The size of the rooms, doors, and windows all indicate the simplicity of life in this ancient village.

Abyaneh Architecture

A stunning aspect of Abyaneh’s architecture is that the houses are similar in appearance. Most of the doors have two knockers, are wooden, and are built in traditional styles.

There are beautiful designs, Quranic verses or poems, and sometimes names of the owners and masons carved on the doors. These poems show a good picture of the old Iranian culture.

Many facades date back to the Safavid dynasty. There are small sitting places that provide places for passers-by or residents to rest for a while.

Most of the houses in Abyaneh have balconies that protrude into the alleyways and are designed with colorful flowers.

One of the most eye-catching designs of most ancient wooden doors in Iran is the door knocker.

Each house usually has a pair of doors, which are equipped with different door knockers. One of them has a long shape, while the other one has a round shape.

What’s the difference, you may ask? there is an interesting story behind that!

Traditionally, the round-shaped door knockers are strictly for female use, on the other hand, the long-shaped door knockers are for male use.

In fact, these two-door knockers have different sounds, which gives a clue to the owner whether a male or a female knocks on the door.

A female house owner answers the door if the caller is a female and vice versa.

If there are no men in the house, then the woman can be prepared and wear a hijab if a male is behind that door.

Top Attractions in Abyaneh Village

The main sights and Landmarks of Abyaneh include Jameh Mosque, the Harpak Fire Temple, Hinza (Anahita Temple), the old castle, Parzaleh Mosque, the Anthropology Museum, and the shrines of Yahya and Isa.

These popular sites, together with the multi-story wooden houses, show you how the people of this region have adapted to mountain life from the past until today.

On the other hand, the culture of Abyaneh’s residents forms a major part of the village’s charm. The locals still wear their colorful traditional outfits on different occasions and speak in their ancient dialect.

As a result, you not only enjoy beautiful nature, but you also experience a living part of Iran’s cultural identity up close.

Traditional Outfit in Abyaneh

Their traditional clothes are examples of styles of great antiquity. A woman from Abyaneh inherited her wedding dress from her grandmother.

likewise, women typically wear a white long scarf that covers the shoulders and upper trunk which has a flowered pattern named Charghad and an under-knee skirt, and men a very loose pair of pants with a coat.

These people strongly maintain this traditional costume.

Although this village is small in size, it has many untold stories inside the minds of its locals and there are many mysterious things to be explored by the visitors who love discovering and exploring new things about the past.

Finally, all of these factors make this village worth a visit by any tourist visiting Iran without a doubt.

If you look for a unique and authentic experience during your trip to Iran, Abyaneh can become one of your best choices. You can visit the village on a half-day trip from Isfahan or Kashan; however, if you spend more time there, you can talk with local people and understand their peaceful lifestyle more deeply.

For this reason, many travelers consider Abyaneh one of the most memorable stops in their journey through Iran.

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