The Historical Village of Abyaneh

Iran’s T List contains a number of “Villages” (sometimes titled “Cities”!) whose claimed OUV lies significantly in their vernacular architecture. Abyaneh is among them (along with Masouleh and Uramanat). It is something of a “hot spot” for domestic and international tourism in Iran (One article mentions 500k visitors in 2010) and was heaving with people when we visited on May 5 2016 which turned out to be a national holiday for “The Prophet’s Ascension”. This gave us a chance to experience a different aspect of Iranian life but, unfortunately, detracted somewhat from viewing the architectural aspects of the site.

Abyaneh lies c80 kms south of Kashan, which is itself a major site for Iranian tourism. Its location up a valley with a running stream makes it “paradise” for Iranians wanting to escape the heat of their ever more crowded cities by finding themselves a spot for a family picnic and “connecting” with their rural past. A few kilometers out each car has to pay an entry fee - higher if there are foreigners (but we weren't recognised!). As an aside, on the drive-in from the main Isfahan - Kashan highway you will pass the buildings containing the centrifuges which had been (are still?) powering Iran’s Nuclear Enrichment Program – the cause of the diplomatic stand-off leading to the sanctions regime. You know that “something” is special because of the anti-aircraft guns in the surrounding hills! I didn’t take a photo!

Abyaneh’s particular “claims to fame” lie in its closely packed …