Renaissance Village
Hamedan is one of those cities and provinces that consists several historical, natural sites and villages, such as Varkaneh that is very well known as Iranian renaissance village which has been built by stone only. Varkaneh (locally called Cheshmeh Qol Qol), is one of the stone villages of Iran that is located about 20 km away from Hamedan. The kurdish names has been picked up for this village and its translated into English translation; Being along the Spring water.
The unique architecture of the village has created a tourist attraction which is made of stone, wood and mud as the building materials and mortar. The village is always clean and neat. The homes in the sunset look like the memorial of the Europe in the Renaissance. It is considered one of the most beautiful renaissance villages of the country. This 400-year-old village dates back to the early Safavid era (1501-1722) and is unique in its use of rubble stone in the foundation and building of its homes. The village has lush orchards with walnut, apple and apricot trees. Varkaneh is one of the six villages in Hamedan Province to be registered as a National Heritage Site.
This rocky village with all special stone streets located in Hamedan province; one of the coldest provinces in Iran. The local people built the village by stones not only to make it beautiful also for preventing cold weather, and they didn’t know that this village will be one of the most dazzling ones in the future. The red and brownstones used in buildings, has made the village so impressive that lots of tourists come annually here to take photos and experience the atmosphere. However, Varkaneh has dozens of other natural sceneries and highlights too.
Mehri-Khanoum Castle, horse stable, Emamzadeh Qarib temple, old mosque, bath, telecommunications Co., school, Kharman-Jaa, bakery and the water mill are the main parts of the village. There is an echo-lodge at the entrance of the village too. To reach the village, after the last exit from Hamedan to Malayer (2 Km away from Emam-Hossin Sq.), there is a sign showing the way to Ekbatan Dam and surrounding villages. An asphalt road after about 18 Km through beautiful sites such as Ekbatan Dam, Yalfan, Shams-Abad and Aliabad villages goes to the Varkaneh village.
The Varkaneh economy is based on farming and husbandry, several springs; water the apple, walnut, grape and apricot trees in the gardens. Varkaneh village is on the way of the tribes’ migration and in the spring and autumn has its special attractions. Handcrafts, meat wool, dairy products, potato, vegetable, bean, pea, wheat, and barley are the main agricultural products of the village.
Baba Tahir poets and Ashik music are popular in Varkaneh and are played in weddings as traditional music, some kind of folk music called Sarbazi and Sepa are common in the region too. Being located on the way of Nomads has made Varkaneh village one of the best places for visiting Nomads and getting to know more about their lifestyle. Every year lots of tourists come near the village to take photos of the Nomads tents. Local food in Varkaneh is one of the other highlights of this region which often consists of meat, Kababs, and Aash; so, never miss testing these delicious meals on your trip.
