Meymand Rock Village

Meymand Rock Village is located 38 kilometers from the city of Shahr-e Babak in Kerman Province. Covering an area of approximately 420 square kilometers, this village was inscribed as the 19th World Heritage site in Iran on the UNESCO list in 2015. The village dates back roughly 2 to 3 thousand years. Similar to the rock village of Kandovan in East Azerbaijan, the houses in Meymand are carved into the hard rocks. The concept of house-building in Meymand differs from other places; instead of using materials like plaster and lime, the residents carved their homes into the rocks using simple tools and lived within these rock formations. Due to the more difficult access to this village, it has retained its pristine and untouched state.

The rock houses of Meymand come in various sizes and include different sections such as rooms, corridors, and stables, known as “kiches.” Upon entering these kiches, you may notice some blackened walls, indicating the presence of a tandoor used for cooking. The village’s baths, like the houses, are also carved into the mountain and feature different sections such as a reservoir, changing room, and a furnace room for heating water. The best time to visit this village is during the spring and summer seasons.

Other tourist attractions in Kerman include the Ganjali Khan Complex, which comprises a square, bazaar, bathhouse, school, and mint, as well as the Moayedi Ice House and the New Arg.