Kandoleh Village

Kandoleh is one of the 14 target tourism villages of Kermanshah Province, located in Sahneh County, about 62 km from the city of Sahneh and nearly 80 km from Kermanshah, the provincial capital. The village lies in a mountainous area on the slopes of the Zagros, and thanks to its distinctive geographic position it enjoys wide views of mountains, valleys and terraced orchards. Kandoleh is bordered by Kuleh Bozorg mountain and Ghaleh Valley to the north, by 16 Tappeh mountain to the west, and by Pir Aftab mountain to the south. This setting has made it one of the region's most outstanding natural villages.

The village sits in a foothill area with a compact residential layout, and its lanes are arranged so that in many sections tall trees and streams of water create a pleasant atmosphere. Extensive vineyards, terraced orchards and the seasonal scenery of the grape harvest are among Kandoleh's most striking natural features in summer. Diverse vegetation, including Zagros species such as oak, wild pistachio (kikam), milkvetch (gavan) and medicinal plants, together with the region's native wildlife, makes the village a rich and valuable habitat. Beyond its nature, Kandoleh is also culturally and historically significant. Sites such as the Imamzadeh Pir Afteh, Marvan Castle and the Nurbakhsh Shrine reflect the region's historical background. Some of the village's buildings are attributed to the Buyids, and it is said that this place was originally the site of the fortress of Rokn al-Dawla, whose name later evolved into Kandoleh. In the local pronunciation, the name is rendered "Kanuleh".

The villagers speak Hawrami Kurdish, and their way of life is based on orchard farming, livestock herding and handicrafts, especially carpet weaving with local designs. A variety of local dishes, such as doghineh, turnip ash (soup), sour ash and traditional dairy products, also form part of the region's food culture. Kandoleh can be reached via the cities of Kermanshah, Sahneh and Kamyaran, and the roads leading to it are paved and passable. With its mild mountain climate, the village is very pleasant to visit in spring and summer, while its winters are cold and snowy. When visiting this area, it is very important to follow the principles of responsible tourism, preserve the village's traditional fabric and respect the lives of the locals.