Chaghiurt Village

Chaghiurt village, also known as Chaqiyurt, Chaghyurt and Chaqurt, is one of the villages of Fereydunshahr County in Isfahan Province, about 13 kilometres west of the county seat. It is one of the cold-climate areas of Fereydunshahr County and lies on the slopes of the Zagros mountain range, a setting that gives its landscape a different character in each season. Chaghiurt has long been home to Georgian speakers, and the Fereydan Georgian language is still part of the village's cultural identity. According to available information, after Karim Khan Zand attacked the Georgians of Fereydunshahr, some of the Georgian residents migrated to villages including Chaghiurt. The founders of Fereydunshahr were also of Georgian descent, brought from Georgia to Iran during the reign of Shah Abbas I. In the 2006 census (1385 in the Solar Hijri calendar), the population of Chaghiurt was reported as 610, made up of 266 men and 344 women.

Thanks to its mountain setting, abundant springs, high peaks, flat green plains and many natural attractions, Chaghiurt is one of the notable areas for nature tourism in Fereydunshahr County. Attractions around the village include Pir-e Hashtad Cave, Dalan Daghi Cave, Aslan Daghli Cave, Pooneh-zar Waterfall and the Fereydunshahr Ski Resort. Mount Hashtad lies about three kilometres from the village and contains a barite mine as well as the limestone Pir-e Hashtad Cave. The history of settlement in Chaghiurt is also tied to the local nature: abundant game and numerous springs were among the factors that led to the village's founding and survival. The old fabric of the village reflects the area's vernacular architecture: in the southern part, old houses are built of stone and mud, and parts of the buildings, including the village bath, are set into the ground. Alongside these features, farming and animal husbandry are the main occupations of the people, and grain and dairy and livestock products are common in the village. Handicrafts such as carpets, small rugs, jajim (a flat-woven textile), woven sacks and woollen clothing are further expressions of Chaghiurt's traditional way of life.

To reach Chaghiurt, head west from Fereydunshahr and continue along the road leading to the village; Chaghiurt is about 13 kilometres from the county seat. Its position between the Fereydunshahr Ski Resort, Pooneh-zar Waterfall and the road to the Poshtkuh areas also makes it well placed for tourism. Because the village lies in a cold, mountainous area, Chaghiurt is worth visiting in all four seasons. Spring and summer are best for enjoying the lush greenery, springs and surrounding plains, while autumn and winter offer visitors a different view of the region. When exploring nature in this area, avoid leaving litter, damaging vegetation or disturbing the peace of the natural environment, and when visiting the village, respect the privacy of the residents and its traditional fabric.