Hilehvar Rock Village

Hilehvar village is located in Osku County, East Azerbaijan Province, 44 kilometres from the city of Tabriz and 2 kilometres north of Kandovan village. Built on the slopes of Mount Sahand, in the midst of steep terrain, the village is also known as the "underground village" because of its unique architecture.

With its distinctive architecture, Hilehvar is a remarkable example of the interaction between humans and nature. The houses of this village are carved into the ground as stone dwellings, built to stay hidden from the eyes of enemies and raiders. The village was abandoned in the 8th century AH because of the Mongol invasion, and many of its residents migrated to Kandovan. Hilehvar was built during the Ilkhanid period and was registered as one of Iran's national heritage sites on 11 Mordad 1384 under registration number 12622.

To reach Hilehvar, travel from Tabriz towards Osku County; after about 44 kilometres you will arrive at the village. The best time to visit is spring and summer, when the weather is mild and the landscape is at its most beautiful. When visiting, please follow the principles of responsible nature tourism, including not harming the environment and keeping the area clean. Although Hilehvar is currently uninhabited, its historic fabric and mysterious atmosphere continue to attract tourists, researchers and enthusiasts of rock-cut and ancient architecture.