Eskandar Cave

Eskandar Cave is in East Azerbaijan Province, in the village of Saeedabad, about 30 kilometres from the city of Tabriz. It is registered as one of Iran's national monuments. Although its entrance looks somewhat damaged, the result of digging by antiquity hunters around the village, it remains an appealing destination for mountaineering and nature enthusiasts. With its stalactite formations and seven chambers, Eskandar Cave attracts people interested in caving and exploring the heart of the rock, although only two of the seven chambers are accessible.

The cave mouth is about 5 metres wide, and once inside you can see the cave's large main chamber. The inner walls and ceiling are decorated with striking stalactites that give the cave a special atmosphere. At the far end of the cave there is a dark passage and corridor from which the smell of sulphur can sometimes be detected, so entering the deeper sections without caving equipment and without following safety precautions is not recommended. This unique structure has made Eskandar Cave a place of interest for lovers of adventure and nature tourism.

To visit the cave, the best route is to travel first to the town of Bostanabad, and from there you can reach the village of Saeedabad by public transport or private car. The private car route usually follows the Tabriz–Tehran road and then passes through the villages of Tavigh un, Govar and Malekian until you reach the village of Eskandar. From this point, you will reach the cave entrance after about 15 kilometres on an asphalt road and then a short walk from the village. The best time to visit is spring and summer, when the weather is favourable and the risks of rockfall and dampness are lower. When visiting, it is very important to practise responsible nature tourism, including not leaving litter, respecting the environment and using proper caving safety equipment.