Vardeh Village

Vardeh is a village in Barghan Rural District, Chandar District, Savojbolagh County, Alborz Province. It lies northwest of Karaj and northeast of Hashtgerd. Vardeh is 15 kilometres from the town of Kuhsar, set in the heart of the Alborz mountain range. The village has 74 permanent residents (24 households), but its non-resident population reaches about 1,000 people (200 households), who return to the village in certain seasons.

Vardeh is a village with an old fabric and a long history, and it holds valuable historical remains from the Safavid period and earlier. Its main historical attractions include the shrine of Imamzadeh Abdolqahar, the shrine of Imamzadeh Bibi Sakineh, a historic bathhouse and an old watermill. One of the village's most precious treasures is the exquisite wooden door of Imamzadeh Abdolqahar, which dates from the reign of Shah Tahmasp I of the Safavid dynasty and is now kept in the National Museum of Iran. Vardeh's landscape is a valley rich in water, with many springs and qanats and the Hezarband River. Its autumn, in particular, with the changing colours of the red-hued trees' leaves, is a romantic and memorable experience for nature lovers.

Vardeh's closeness to the Hezarband River, its many springs and the natural slope of the valley make the village an attractive destination for nature lovers. Natural scenery and ancient trees, such as the plane trees around the Imamzadeh and the juniper known as "Hoovers-dar", are among the area's sights. The villagers speak Tati, and the preservation of this ancient language adds to the cultural value of this historic village. To reach Vardeh, leave the Karaj–Qazvin freeway or the Barghan road and take a paved road, then a side road that leads to the valley and the village. The best time to visit is from spring to autumn; in winter the roads become cold and snowy. When visiting, please stay on the marked paths, take your litter with you and treat the residents and nature with respect.