"Houses on top of each other" Top 5 Page for this destination Masuleh by Bashir-1

Masuleh Travel Guide: 35 reviews and 153 photos

The village of Masooleh is situated at a distance of 35 km from Fooman and 60 km from Rasht (Main city of Guilan). It is located in a scenic valley surrounded by snow-capped mountains in north-eastern Iran. It is a historical town having an attractive nature and a wonderful architecture with an antiquity of more than 1000 years. It is 1050m above the Caspian sea.

I read in the history book this following information: “In the past ages, people were settled in a higher place named Kohneh Masouleh which was 8 km far from the new town, it is probably they removed to Masouleh for some events such as Storm, Flood, Earthquacke, Epidimical diseases or War.

From the architectural point of view this town is unique in the world. The front yard of any house is the roof of another one. So, if you go out from the house you stay in, then you would walk on a roof of the lower houses. Of course, the native people has mad a lot of Stairs and walkways in order to ease their movement.

Masouleh enjoys pleasant and moderate weather as a mountainous region. Due to being located on Caspian strip and having also suitable soil it is covered with loxuriant forests such as Tosca, Walnut, Hazelnut and Pasturages.

Besides, there are waterfalls, small rivers and springs, that totally have created a beautiful and eye-catching natural landscape. Mountains of Masouleh enjoy some mines such as iron, Quartz, China root, Cristalian, zinc and Galena. In the time of king Fathali Qajar , existance of these mines caused to make connons of Iranian artillery in Masouleh .

Taleshi (dialect) is spoken in Masouleh which consists some Russian, Turkish, Arabic, Persian and Guilaki words. However, all of them know Persian / Farsi language.

The village of Masouleh is registered as historical towns in the historical & cultural heritage register under the number 1090. Masuleh is the site of the UNESCO / Iran Touring and Tourism Organisation project in Iran notable for its traditional wooden buildings, clustered on the northern slopes of the valley. The aim of the project is to promote community participation in the area’s tourism development, helping to generate employment opportunities and income-generating activities for local people. Training is being given in development of a local handicraft industry, as well as in the management of home-stays and in the skills needed for local people to become cultural and nature guides. Main emphases of the project include encouraging the full participation of the local community and developing public-private sector partnerships.

Note the clouds

Last visit to Masuleh: Sep 2004
Intro Written Oct 13, 2004
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Reviews (5)

Me with their tradtional dress - Masuleh

Ancient Traditional Tea Shop Restaurants (1)

There is only one drink here : TEA. I wore their traditional dress as the old people sit in this tea shop. Well ...... more travel advice

They speak English, and guided me to this Museum - Masuleh

The Heritage Museum 2 Things to Do (2)

A lot of Tehranians come to this village espesially in the summer vacation and in the weekends., and some of them stay... more travel advice

Entrance of the Heritage Museum - Masuleh

Interesting Heritage Museum Things to Do (2)

This museum has the traditional tools that the pepole of this village have used in the past. It includes tools for... more travel advice

Same as above Shopping (2)

Handmade (Same as above) Antique Handicraft <$15 more travel advice

Comments (25)

suvanki May 16, 2008 at 1:42 PM Report Abuse

Hi! You sent me pics of this village-and it's included in my tour!!!Your pics and tips are great - will let you know what I did there. Best Wishes Sue
Doctor38 Oct 26, 2007 at 9:14 AM Report Abuse

Salam, thanks for sharing you pictures.
nighthawk Sep 2, 2005 at 5:06 AM Report Abuse

great to read a page on a not known place to go! thanks!
MalenaN Aug 19, 2005 at 11:21 PM Report Abuse

Masouleh looks like a beautiful place! I hope to visit Iran next year and will then absolutly visit the village!
evona Jul 28, 2005 at 4:21 PM Report Abuse

It`s looks as a nice place for visit. Nice pics and good tips :)
iandsmith Jul 25, 2005 at 2:16 AM Report Abuse

Very interesting, nice shots.
gregoryr1m Jul 24, 2005 at 3:13 PM Report Abuse

Hi Bashir, this a very intersting town. You did a great job of a town that I have never heard of. -Greg
drolkar Jul 24, 2005 at 4:01 AM Report Abuse

Salam ! Thanks for letting me know about this update... I love anthropological museums, and will be sure to visit this one if/when I get to Iran. :)
behrooz77ir Jul 24, 2005 at 3:39 AM Report Abuse

very nice picsss.great u enjoy staying in my country but please take a little look around in the north of iran rest of places like Javaher Deh near Ramsar.
deecat Jul 23, 2005 at 10:02 PM Report Abuse

A very informative page with outstanding photographs to accompany the intelligent, interesting, well written commentary.