Ravanj Village

Ravanj is a village in the Central District of Delijan County, in Markazi Province. It lies about 27 to 31 kilometres north of Delijan, east of the village of Jasb and south of Karamjegan village in Qom. This cold-climate mountain village, used as a summer pasture area, sits among the highlands of the region, and its houses, set in a green mountain valley, create a distinctive landscape. Ravanj is considered one of the historic villages of the area. According to local accounts and the presence of many old cemeteries, people are said to have lived here for more than five thousand years. Rich deposits of iron, copper and lead have long been associated with the area, and there are several stories about the origin of the village's name, including that it was once called "Rah-e Ganj" ("the Way to the Treasure") and gradually changed to "Ravanj". Besides its historical background, the village has orchards of walnut, almond, apple, apricot, pear and pomegranate, as well as lush pastures where mountain shrubs such as arzhan (wild almond species) and mountain almond grow, along with plants such as barijeh and gavan (astragalus).

The most important feature of Ravanj is a group of historical and natural sites that lie close together within a relatively small area. The petroglyphs above Mount Sardian and in the Ravanj Mountain Valley, between the areas of Sarhowz, Darreh-ye Os Ali and Malga, are among the village's most notable sights. On rock faces and granite expanses you can see carvings of ibex, hunting scenes, ploughing with oxen, deer, wild boar, cheetahs, and inscriptions from different periods, from the 7th millennium BC to the Islamic era. Dozdak Castle, a six-towered fortress from the early Qajar period, and two imamzadehs, Pir Davood and Shahzadeh Soleyman, are other historical and religious attractions of Ravanj. The shrine of Shahzadeh Soleyman has old architecture, a dome, a brick iwan, a wooden tomb enclosure, and decoration with motifs and muqarnas. The five Shaddadi Caves, about 2,500 to 3,000 years old, are another attraction of the area and once contained metallic minerals such as lead, zinc, iron and silver. Ravanj's nature also offers considerable potential for nature tourism, with five springs (the permanent Leyli, Ovia, Sardian and Farhad springs and the seasonal Sefid spring), green valleys, a river and numerous orchards. The Ravanj Mountain Valley, with its springs, walnut trees and wild shrubs such as blackberry and hawthorn, is also considered one of the area's scenic natural landscapes.

To reach Ravanj, go to Delijan County in Markazi Province and continue from there along the northern road towards the village. Ravanj is about 27 to 31 kilometres from Delijan and can also be reached from the direction of Jasb and Karamjegan. The valley trails around the village are suitable for trekking and nature walks. The Ravanj Valley trail starts near the Imamzadeh Pir Davood and in places continues along the river and springs. The best time to visit Ravanj is spring and summer, when the landscape is green and the springs are fuller. In the month of Ordibehesht (late April to May), a local rhubarb festival is also held, featuring traditional music, native and local games, traditional cooking, readings of literary texts and humour in the Ravanji dialect, and rhubarb picking. When visiting the petroglyphs, caves and other historical sites, do not touch, damage or alter them. In nature, do not leave litter, avoid harming vegetation, and do not leave the established trails without reason, so that Ravanj's nature and historical heritage are preserved for future generations.