Beyond the hustling-bustling, constant red lights and traffic jams of cities lies Iran’s historical village of Masuleh, resting over a thousand metres above sea level. This tourism village, sitting on the slopes of the Alborz mountain ranges in North Iran welcomes visitors and tourists every year – gathering to see the remarkable and unique architecture that has been crafted not by a professional but by the residents of the village themselves. The roofs either melt into streets or are streets, some being parks and others, patios. But how did this come to be?
A little history of the settlement
Masuleh dates back to 1006AD, its history related to a site 6 kilometres NW of the village we know now. Known as Khortab or Masalar in the old days, Masuleh developed around an iron mine and soon flourished into a commercial hub.
But how did the village shift? This can be linked to terrible reasons such as epidemics and earthquakes. The old site is now almost stagnant, while the new one basks in beauty.
The uniqueness of structure and why it works
The innovative structure of Masuleh was planned keeping in mind all the factors that affect humans and animals alike. The altitude, the slope, the make-shift roofs – all had strong reasons behind them.
Prone to floods, the houses had to be built on a height where water couldn’t reach as easily. And seeing as winters in Iran can drop down to -38°C(a crazy -36.4F), this made a lot of sense. Where Masuleh lies right now allows for optimum sun exposure and, thus, a chance at life.
Because the houses and such structures were built by the inhabitants, there is no doubt that all the needs of the villagers were kept in mind. Houses are built with a combination of wood, stone and adobe, and stand proudly on a 60° slope. The structures rest on a foundation of rock and are earthquake resistant.
The idiosyncratic roofs
Unquestionably the quirkiest part of the village, Masuleh roofs are so distinctly special that they leave outsiders speechless. All the roofs of the village double as parks, courtyards or thoroughfares for the level right above. Stairs or narrow paths connect one terrace to the other, and the bigger picture of the village looks like an intricately thought and impeccably woven web of architecture. These spaces are shared by the whole community, bringing them closer together. Indispensable for this layout to work, vehicles are strictly prohibited in this village of Iran, making it much less polluted and freer than the whole country.
The one place you cannot miss while you’re there
The Masuleh Bazaar is the heart of the village, here you will find splendid handcrafted items for sale, made by local craftsmen and artists of Masuleh – something you would want to have as a keepsake or souvenir.
Masuleh’s spectacular settlement drives us more towards natural architecture. The art of seeing nature as our own, and working with it instead of against it is what we want to witness with our very own eyes.
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