Shahkola Village

Shahkola is a historic village in Dabudasht District, Amol County, Mazandaran Province, located in South Dabuy Rural District. In the past the village was known as Shahkola Suruk, a name attributed to the region's lush greenery, abundant water and trees. As the population grew, the name Shahkola gradually became common. The village is said to be about 800 years old, and in the past it served as a roadside resting place and a venue for trade among the surrounding villages. With its rural fabric and historical background, Shahkola forms part of the cultural landscape of the Dabudasht region. According to the 2016 census (1395 in the Solar Hijri calendar), it had a population of 382.

One of Shahkola's notable features is its setting in a valley-like area amid dense forests, which, together with the surrounding rice paddies and the Babulak River, creates a lush natural landscape. The Astaneh of Seyyed Ali Kia Soltan is also among the village's most important historical and religious sites. The present building of this shrine was constructed between 1995 and 2001 (1374 to 1380 in the Solar Hijri calendar) and has Islamic architecture. This pilgrimage site welcomes pilgrims and visitors from the surrounding areas at weekends and on holidays. Farming has been one of the main occupations of Shahkola's people. In the past, silkworm rearing and beekeeping were also common in the village, but they have since disappeared; today, some of the villagers also engage in traditional animal husbandry. The combination of forest, rice paddies, river and rural fabric makes Shahkola a good destination for experiencing nature and a peaceful village atmosphere.

To visit Shahkola, travel to Amol County and Dabudasht District in Mazandaran Province, then continue toward the villages of South Dabuy Rural District, where Shahkola is located. Spring and summer, when the forests, rice paddies and humid landscape are at their greenest, are a good time to explore Shahkola, and in autumn the changing colors of the forest cover can give the surroundings a different look. When exploring the village, it is essential to respect the peace and privacy of the residents, not to enter rice paddies and farmland without permission, not to litter in the forest or along the riverbank, and to avoid damaging the area's vegetation. Visitors to the shrine of Seyyed Ali Kia Soltan should also respect the sanctity of the religious space and the tranquility of the pilgrims.