It lies between the cities of Yazd, Kerman, and Shiraz. Meymand is an architectural and historical masterpiece nestled within the mountains of Kerman Province and is considered one of the earliest human settlements.
Meymand, with its unique architecture, is carved into the heart of the mountains. Its terraced houses, narrow alleys, and traditional layout make it a remarkable example of Iran’s rock-cut architecture.
This village dates back to a time when Iranians were still worshippers of Mithra (Mithraism) and considered mountains to be sacred, an ancient belief that later continued in religious traditions. It is still unknown who exactly built this complex and what motivated them to create such structures. Yet the determination and purpose of the people of that era are highly noteworthy, as constructing such a vast and breathtaking site with the limited tools of that time is truly admirable.
Some researchers believe that the followers of Mithraism used the hand-carved caves for worship and burial ceremonies, and later, due to climatic or environmental necessities, they chose these caves as dwellings. The Mithraic belief system existed in Iran before the rise of Zoroastrianism and persisted for a long time. Due to its defensible structure, Meymand has undergone relatively few physical or social changes throughout history, with most transformations occurring in recent decades.
One of the most significant features of Meymand is its method of construction: the dwellings are not built by stacking stones or bricks in open space but are instead formed by removing large masses of earth and rock. Thus, there is no need for bricks, mud, or mortar; shelter is created simply by hollowing out the mountain. For this reason, numerous niches of various sizes, called “taghcheh”, have been carved into the walls to store bedding, utensils, chests, lamps, and other items. By carving out parts of the wall, small cavities or shelves are created where household objects can be placed or hung.
An entire house, which may include one or several rooms and a stable, is called a “kicheh.” Each unit typically has a shared entrance. In the small hallway or landing, the stable may be on one side and the living quarters on the other. Kichehs do not all have the same layout; the size and number of rooms vary, and separations between rooms, storage spaces (pantry), or covered recesses are sometimes made with fabric curtains.
The temperature inside these rooms differs by about five degrees from the outdoors. The creation of a fireplace, locally called “didon”, inside the rooms and the continuous burning of firewood over the years have darkened the ceilings and walls. The heat and smoke have also created a natural insulation, increasing the durability of the structures.
Some houses include an upper chamber built into recesses called “patagh.” Access to these upper rooms is usually difficult. The houses are designed so that most of them offer a wide view of the village. In front of many homes is a veranda, often sheltered. The roofs of these verandas are either the natural mountain rock or constructed with wooden beams, leaves, and mud plaster. A significant portion of daily life traditionally took place in these verandas.
The village contains 406 kichehs with a total of 2,560 rooms. The doors are entirely wooden, either single- or double-leaf, and serve as the only source of natural light. Sometimes, a woven cloth called “Makhshif” is hung at the doorway to allow light in while preventing cold air and poultry from entering. Like many traditional rural homes, belongings are arranged around the perimeter of the room. In front of some houses, a flat area is prepared for drying fruits such as wild almonds or used as a place for rest. Several families typically share one communal oven for baking bread.
The residents of Meymand have distinct customs and traditions, and their dialect still preserves many Sasanian-era Pahlavi words. Meymand was the seventh cultural, natural, and historical landscape in the world to receive the Mercury Award from the Greek government in cooperation with international cultural Institutions such as UNESCO and ICOMOS. In October 2006, the village was recognized as Iran’s National Model Tourism Village. Due to its unique architectural, historical, and cultural characteristics, Meymand was inscribed in 2015 as Iran’s 19th UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is regarded as a living example of human adaptation to mountainous environments and the intelligent use of natural resources. Meymand also reflects the traditional lifestyle and beliefs of its people.
Meymand contains an ancient bathhouse built near the river to utilize its water. An octagonal basin has been discovered beneath one of the walls. This bathhouse features a changing room, a skylight with marble covering, and hot- and cold-water reservoirs, all of which remain visible today.
The village once had eight watermills, though only partial remains of them exist today. They fell out of use about 50 years ago. The people of Meymand traditionally relied on two qanats and one spring for drinking water, though only one qanat remains functional today, supplying the central part of the village through a piped system.
At a bend in the river, south of Meymand, the remains of a stone fortress can be seen. Although only small portions of it survive, careful observation reveals traces of ancient pottery and bone repositories places where the dead were stored according to old Zoroastrian practices.