Abyaneh Village

Abyaneh is a village in the Central District of Natanz County in Isfahan Province. On 30 Mordad 1354 (Solar Hijri) it was registered as a National Heritage Site of Iran under registration number 1088. The village lies 38 kilometres northwest of Natanz, on the slopes of Mount Karkas. It is known as one of the highest inhabited places in Iran. Abyaneh has a cold, temperate climate, which is one of the factors that draws tourists to the area. In the local dialect the village is called "Viuna". "Viu" means willow and "Viyaneh" means a place of willows. Willow trees were once abundant in Abyaneh, and for this reason the village was at one time known as Viuna. Over time the name changed to Abyaneh, and today most people know this beautiful village by that name.

With its vernacular architecture and its wide variety of historic buildings, Abyaneh is regarded as one of the most famous villages in Iran. Its traditional architecture, adobe and mud-brick houses, winding alleys and historic structures make it a special attraction for visitors. The Abyaneh dialect, one of the central dialects of Iran, also has unique features and differs considerably from standard Persian in its phonology, grammar and vocabulary. Abyaneh has a history as grand as Iran itself. There is no precise, documented date for the founding of the village. However, the discovery of antiquities from the Sassanid and Seljuk periods confirms its historical standing, so it can be said that there are signs of human settlement in Abyaneh from the Sassanid era and even earlier. On this basis, if we count from the Sassanid period, Abyaneh is about 1,300 to 1,800 years old.

The village is located in Barzrud Rural District, and according to the 2016 (1395 Solar Hijri) census of the Statistical Centre of Iran, it had a population of 301 people (147 households). Its small population and distinctive geographical position have made Abyaneh one of Iran's traditional and ancient villages, one that still preserves its cultural and historical character. The best time to visit Abyaneh is spring and autumn. With their mild and often cool weather, these seasons provide pleasant conditions for exploring this beautiful village at ease. The stunning, eye-catching scenery of these seasons is ideal for nature lovers and photographers.