If you would like to wake up in the early morning by the sound of a rooster, fascinated by the smell of the local bread and find yourself, when going out, in the heart of a historical village with almost thousand years of history, the best choice is taking a visit to Masooleh village; it is one of the most historical and beautiful villages remained of the eighth century in the north of Iran.
There is not a general consensus between researchers and philologists on the meaning of Masooleh word; some believe that it means a “high mountain”, some state that it refers to the “small land of the moon” and some others consider it to be the “land of Masals”. With all these, you will find out its meaning right at the time you send a whole day and night there. It is one of few cities in all around the globe with no motor vehicles; the architectural style of the city with narrow intertwined alley-gardens, a lot of stairs and the method of arranging houses have made it impossible any kind of vehicle to pass through. And you can easily experience the same lifestyle of the past right now.
Apart from the rural lifestyle popular in the city, it is properly reputed for its amazing architectural style which indicate the people’s generosity; the roof of each house here is the yard of the upper one and this stair-stepped method of ordering buildings makes an astonishing appearance which attract the attention of every traveler and tourist. If you stand at the entrance of the village, you can watch at once the whole structure of the place in front of you; a landscape which will be recorded in your mind forever. Add the pristine local nature to all these extravagant attractions; Masooleh is shining just like a jewel between the mountain and green forests. The weather of Masooleh is mountainous and the morning fog here will fade the fatigue of the modern life in your body and soul.
From Bazar to Museum
The appearance of Masooleh is too pretty to be able to leave. However, since the life of a trip is short, you should rush in order to not miss other historical attractions. Masooleh’s bazar is exactly a must-see for this trip; if you are going to take a souvenir from Iran, here is the place you will find proper handicrafts and decorative objects. A variety of cloths, local fabrics, bags, kilim and dolls are sold here and besides, you are going to enjoy the traditional manner of shopping popular in the east; haggling and the friendly conversation between seller and costumer are among the joys of shopping in Masooleh.
The Ethnography Museum of Masooleh where a collection of ordinary life’s stuff is on display with the aim of getting familiar with their lifestyle is one of the attractions of the city. If you are into adventure and discovery of the pristine nature, you must go to the Kusham waterfall at the end of the forest valley of Masooleh; a 30-meter-high waterfall you need an hour of walking on a gentle slope to reach. Rudkhan Castle is another must-see place located in Fouman, next to Masooleh. The castle which is also known as thousand-stair castle was erected under the Sassanid rule while reconstructed in different periods. In addition to its historical virtue, Rudkhan Castle also shows an amazing landscape fascinating for visitors.
Also known as the jewel of the north of Iran, Masooleh is one of the oldest and the most enchanting cities of Iran which is considered to be a must-visit for everyone who is interested in the past culture and traditions of Iran; and at last, in Sohrab Sepehri’s words: “Masooleh could not be written, Masooleh must be seen”.