Ballojeh Mirak Village

Ballojeh Mirak Village lies 4 kilometres east of the city of Meshgin Shahr, on the slopes of Mount Sabalan, in the Central District of Meshgin Shahr County, Ardabil Province. The village belongs to Meshgin-e Sharqi Rural District and, thanks to its mountain setting and terraced layout, is known as the Masuleh of Meshgin Shahr. According to the 2016 census (1395 in the Solar Hijri calendar), the village had a population of about 1,823 people in 500 households. Because of past restrictions, many residents have moved to other cities such as Tehran, Karaj, Ardabil and Meshgin Shahr.

Ballojeh Mirak Village is of particular historical importance. In the Parthian (Ashkanian) era, the village was known as "Kandijeh". The ancient Salasil Castle above the village, which was registered as a national heritage site in 1387 (2008), points to the long history of the area. The village is also home to the religious site of "Pir Rasul" (locally called Pirasul), which was once regarded as a sacred place because of a natural phenomenon. During the Pahlavi era, a man named "Monsieur Kafka" came from Europe to the area to keep bees and planted willow (bidmeshk) trees there; the site is known as "Monsieur Bagh" (Monsieur's Garden).

The vegetation of Ballojeh Mirak includes fruit trees, native shrubs and pasture plants, which, besides their visual beauty, provide habitat for birds and local wildlife. This combination of mountain scenery, rivers and green pastures makes Ballojeh Mirak an appealing destination for nature lovers, families, and anyone drawn to village life and natural tranquillity. The village can be reached by the asphalt road heading east from Meshgin Shahr. The best time to visit is spring and summer, when the weather is mild and nature is at its peak. When visiting, responsible tourism is recommended: keep the environment clean, respect the villagers' way of life, and stay on the designated trails.