Over 3,000 foreign tourists visited Abyaneh in winter

Village caretaker Mohammad Adeli said it is envisaged that some 10,500 tourists visit the village during the 13 days of the New Persian Year holidays starting March 20.
According to Adeli, 15 trained tourist guides in local costumes will be in the historical sites of the village to familiarize the tourists with its historical places. Also, a local market will present souvenirs, gifts and handicrafts.
The village has two hotels with a capacity of 200 beds, traditional and non-traditional restaurants, and licensed traditional guest houses.
During the approaching holidays, Samirom nomads encamp at the entrance of the village and set up their black tents.
As a village of great antiquity, Abyaneh is like a living architectural and anthropological museum. It presents an impressive model of the man adaptation to the environment.
It is located on the northwestern slope of Mount Karkas, 40 kilometers from Natanz, in Isfahan province.
Abyaneh has a compact texture with narrow and steep alleys. Located on the slopes of the mountain, the houses are arranged in a stair-step shape, so that the roofs of some houses are the yards of others.
To attract tourists, local people wear local costumes and sit in front of their houses talking to the tourists in local dialect and play local music.
In addition to natural beauties, there are several historical monuments in Abyaneh, including the magnificently impressive 960-year-old Jame’ Mosque, Porzaleh Mosque in one of the most ancient neighborhoods of the village with striking sanctuary dating back to the 14th century and Hajatgah Mosque dating back to Safavid era.
Other beautiful monuments in this historical village are: Ziaratgah, castles of Haman, houses of dervishes, and fire temples.
There are some 150 wooden doors as old as 600 to 800 years old made of walnut or sycamore.
In 1975, Abyaneh was registered as an Iranian National Heritage.
MH/1664