Cheraghil Village

Cheraghil Village (also spelled Jeraghil) is one of the historic and tourist villages of Azarshahr County in East Azerbaijan Province. It lies in Yengejeh Rural District, about 15 to 17 kilometers northeast of Azarshahr and 55 kilometers from Tabriz. This remarkable village sits in a steep valley on the slopes of the Sahand Mountains. With its unspoiled nature, mountain scenery and an unrivaled collection of stone and rock-cut houses, it is regarded as one of the most distinctive historical and natural attractions of northwestern Iran. Its proximity to Yushaneh Valley, Bustan Mountain and the Suyukh Bolagh Spring adds to its natural appeal.

The most important feature of Cheraghil is the presence of remains from different historical periods within the fabric of the village; in its alleys you can see three eras of architecture. The stone and rock-cut houses, whose age is attributed to millennia before the Common Era, form the oldest part of the village. Alongside them stand adobe and mud-brick houses from the centuries after the Common Era, as well as modern buildings. Another of the village's most notable monuments is the Cheraghil Stone Mosque, more than 500 years old, which is carved entirely into the rock and built without any construction materials. Its stone columns, prayer hall, skylights and entrance are all the work of the stone-carving skill of past master craftsmen, and they have great historical and architectural value.

Cheraghil can be reached via the Azarshahr road; after about 15 to 17 kilometers to the northeast, you arrive at this historic village. The road is paved, and the village is accessible by private car or public transport. The best time to visit Cheraghil is spring and summer, when the slopes of Sahand are green, the seasonal river is full and the climate of the area is very pleasant. When visiting, you can help preserve this valuable heritage for future generations by staying out of the fragile parts of the rock-cut dwellings, keeping the environment clean, respecting the village fabric and historic monuments, and avoiding any damage to the stone structures.