Kandovan: A Unique Troglodyte Village in Iran
Kandovan is a village in Iran’s Azarbaijan region, located 600 km northwest of the capital, Tehran, and 2,300 m above sea level. It is a unique troglodyte village, with homes carved out of volcanic rock formations created by eruptions a million years ago. The village is still inhabited today, making it the only troglodyte village of its kind, with residents living inside the rock face in the heart of the mountains, blending seamlessly into the breathtaking landscape.
History and Settlement
Kandovan village has around 1,000 cone-shaped houses carved into the rock face, with about 1,000 inhabitants, and was settled over 1,500 years ago for protection from robbers and thieves, and due to its fertile land and favorable climate for agriculture and livestock. A village carved into the rock face has been home to inhabitants for nearly 800 years, initially as mere shelters but now as real homes.
Way of Life and Economy
The villagers make a living from agriculture, livestock, and selling local products. A resident sells medicinal plants and shows their home, which is carved out of the rock with a barn downstairs for livestock, providing a unique and spacious living space. The residents of Kandavan have adapted to the rhythm of the seasons and find peace in their way of life.
Architecture and Construction
The houses in Kandovan are carved out of dense volcanic rock, taking four months and three people to complete. The rock’s density required removing large amounts of stone, but its workability allowed for adding recesses and creating load-bearing walls. The homes provide a sense of safety and protection, withstanding natural disasters and maintaining a constant temperature, making it pleasant in both winter and summer without needing heating or cooling.
- The traditional organization of houses in the village features lower floors serving as barns and upper floors for living quarters.
- Over time, the homes have undergone changes, such as the addition of windows, plastic doors, and electricity, but they still retain their original structure and timeless charm.
- The village’s name, derived from the word “condo jean,” reflects the difficulty and hardship of carving out the rocks to create a place to live, highlighting the art of building and the human effort that went into constructing these unique homes.
Community and Hospitality
The inhabitants of Kandovan are skilled in carving out rock to create and expand their domestic spaces. The community extends hospitality, inviting guests to share meals with the village chief, featuring traditional dishes. The proximity of houses in Kandovan has created a strong sense of attachment among its inhabitants, who share moments of joy and mourning together.
Resilience and Endurance
Despite facing harsh weather and violence, the villagers have built homes into the rock face and adopted a simple way of life, creating a refuge that has endured for nearly a millennium. The villagers are happy and feel safe in their sturdy homes, which are linked together, creating a strong bond between them, like a big family.
Key Vocabulary
| Term | Definition | Example Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Troglodyte | A person who lives in a cave or a primitive shelter, often referring to ancient humans or unique village dwellings. | Kandovan is a unique troglodyte village in Iran where residents live inside the rock face. |
| Volcanic Rock | Rock formed from the cooling and solidification of lava or volcanic ash. | The homes in Kandovan are carved out of dense volcanic rock formations. |
| Azarbaijan | A region in northwest Iran known for its cultural and geographical diversity. | Kandovan village is located in Iran’s Azarbaijan region, 600 km northwest of Tehran. |
| Medicinal Plants | Plants used for their therapeutic or healing properties. | A resident of Kandovan sells medicinal plants as part of their livelihood. |
| Load-bearing Walls | Walls designed to support the weight of a building or structure. | The homes in Kandovan have load-bearing walls carved out of the volcanic rock. |
| Timeless Charm | A quality of being appealing or attractive in a way that does not change with time. | Despite modern additions, the homes in Kandovan still retain their original structure and timeless charm. |
| Resilience | The ability to withstand or recover quickly from difficult conditions or challenges. | The villagers of Kandovan have shown resilience in the face of harsh weather and violence. |
| Endurance | The ability to withstand pain, difficulty, or hardship over a long period. | The village of Kandovan has endured for nearly a millennium, a testament to the endurance of its people. |
| Refuge | A place of safety or shelter, especially in times of danger or difficulty. | The villagers of Kandovan have created a refuge by building their homes into the rock face. |
| Community Bond | A strong sense of connection or relationship among members of a community. | The proximity of houses in Kandovan has created a strong community bond among its inhabitants. |
Watch The Video
Vocabulary Quiz
1. What does the term “troglodyte” refer to in the context of Kandovan village?
A) A type of volcanic rock formation
B) A style of architecture found in Iran
C) A village with homes carved out of rock or cave dwellings
D) A method of farming used in mountainous regions
2. Why was Kandovan village initially settled over 1,500 years ago?
A) Due to its proximity to the capital, Tehran, and access to trade routes
B) For protection from natural disasters and harsh weather conditions
C) For protection from robbers and thieves, and due to its fertile land and favorable climate
D) To establish a major center for livestock and agriculture in the region
3. What is unique about the construction of the houses in Kandovan village?
A) They are made of wood and take only a few weeks to complete
B) They are carved out of dense volcanic rock, taking four months and three people to complete
C) They are built into the ground for insulation and energy efficiency
D) They are constructed using local materials but with modern architectural designs
4. How have the homes in Kandovan village adapted to the seasons and natural conditions?
A) They require extensive heating in winter and cooling in summer due to the rock’s low density
B) They are designed to withstand extreme temperatures but require frequent repairs
C) They maintain a constant temperature, making them pleasant in both winter and summer without needing heating or cooling
D) They are vulnerable to natural disasters due to the softness of the volcanic rock
5. What reflects the difficulty and hardship of carving out the rocks to create a place to live in Kandovan village?
A) The village’s traditional clothing and customs
B) The name of the village, derived from the word “condo jean”
C) The use of modern tools and machinery in construction
D) The absence of windows and electricity in the homes
Answer Key:
1. C
2. C
3. B
4. C
5. B
Grammar Focus
Grammar Focus: The Present Perfect Continuous Tense
Grammar Quiz:
1. The villagers ____________________ in the rock face of Kandovan village for nearly 800 years.
- have lived
- have been living
- are living
- were living
2. By the time the village was fully settled, the inhabitants ____________________ their homes out of the volcanic rock for over a decade.
- had carved
- have been carving
- were carving
- carved
3. The unique architecture of Kandovan ____________________ the attention of tourists and architects from around the world for years.
- has been attracting
- attracts
- is attracting
- attracted
4. The residents of Kandovan ____________________ to the rhythm of the seasons and find peace in their way of life.
- have adapted
- are adapting
- adapt
- have been adapting
5. The village’s name, “Kandovan,” ____________________ from the word “condo jean,” which reflects the difficulty of carving out the rocks.
- has been derived
- is derived
- was derived
- derive
Answer Key:
1. have been living
2. had been carving
3. has been attracting
4. have adapted
5. is derived