INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Karkas, Abyaneh is an enchanting maze of winding and steep alleys, adorned with weathered red mud-brick houses featuring delicate wooden
balconies and latticed windows.Located 38 kilometers northwest of Natanz, this village ranks among the most elevated settlements in Iran,
architecture and its rich history make it one of Iran's most renowned villages.Although the exact age of Abyaneh cannot be determined, it
is estimated to have a history of around 4,500 years, making it one of the oldest human settlements on the fringes of Iran's central
desert.The historical relics and monuments present in Abyaneh, dating back to the Sassanid, Seljuk, Safavid, and Qajar periods, bear witness
to the ancient history of this human settlement.For centuries, the inhabitants of Abyaneh have retained their unique ethnicity and
traditional practices, and even their old language and dialect, owing to the region's mountainous terrain and remote location from crowded
areas and communication channels.They continue to uphold their traditions through the prevalent wearing of traditional clothing,
demonstrating pride and dedication towards preserving their cultural heritage.The village is an open-air anthropology museum that showcases
a unique altar from Seljuk period (ca
earthen houses dotted on the slope contribute to its charm
The roofs of some houses serve as the courtyard for others higher up on the hill.Aside from the village, which was inscribed on the National
Heritage List in 1975, 32 historical monuments inside the village have been also registered on the list.Iran also eyes a possible
