Masouleh ماسوله

 

 Masouleh (Persian: ماسوله, Māsūleh; also known as Masuleh) is a village in the Gilan Province of Iran. Historical names for the village include Māsalar and Khortāb. It was founded in the 10th century AD, and its current population is estimated to be around 800 people. 

 Geography, History and climate

Masouleh is approximately 60 km southwest of Rasht and 32 km west of Fuman. The village is 1 050 meters above sea level in the Alborz (or Elburz) mountain range, near the southern coast of the Caspian Sea. The village itself has a difference in elevation of 100 meters.

The first village of Masouleh is approximately established around 1006 AD, 6 km Northwest of the current village, and it is called Old-Masouleh (Kohneh Masouleh in Persian). People moved from Old-Masouleh to the current village because of Pestilence and neighbor attacks. Some of old families do have a written Ancestral tree as old as one hundred years.

Masouheh-Rood-Khan is the river passing through the village with a water fall 200m away from the village. Many other springs are found around Masouleh.

Masouleh is also surrounded by forest from valley to mount.

Fog is the predominate weather feature of Masouleh. Although it has been written that the community was established around 10 AD, the province of Gilan has a long history.

Architecture

Masouleh architecture is unique. The buildings have been built into the mountain and are interconnected. Courtyards and roofs both serve as pedestrian areas 

similar to streets. Masouleh does not allow any motor vehicles to enter, due to its unique layout. It is the only village in Iran with such a prohibition. However, the small streets and many stairs simply wouldn't make it possible for vehicles to enter.

The spectacular architecture of Masouleh is popularly known as "The yard of the above building is the roof of the below building".

Yellow clay coats the exterior of most buildings in Masouleh. This allows for better visibility in the fog.

Buildings are mostly 2 stories (1st floor and below floor) made of adobe, rods and bole. A small living room, big guest room, winter room, hall, WC and balcony are usually found in 1st floor. A cold closet, barn and stable are located on the floor below, which are connected to the upper floor by several narrow steps inside the building.

There are four main local communities at the village named: "Maza-var" (meaning beside the Mosque) at the south, "Khana-var" (beside homes) at the East, "Kasha-sar" (stretched on top) at the North, and, "Assa-mahala" (Assad community) at the West. Apparently, down town is the Market (Bazaar) area and also the main mosque of the village, named "O-ne-ben-ne Ali". 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masouleh