Espahbod Cave

Espahbod Khorshid Cave, with an opening roughly 90 meters wide, is the largest natural arch in the world. Inside the cave are a fortress, a tower, a fire temple, a water reservoir, a bathhouse and an oven. They were builtin a very beautiful style from stone and sarooj (traditional waterproof mortar), and they date back to the Sasanian era. One of the astonishing features of the cave is the way water was brought into it: upstream of Kamar village, a stone channel had been carved intoa watercourse, and the water was channeled through the rocks and, after traveling a long distance, directed into the cave. Espahbod Khorshid is registered as number 8739 on the Iran National Heritage list and is considered one of the most unique military fortifications in the country.

The history of Espahbod Khorshid Cave goes back to the Sasanian period and is tied to stories and legends from that time. Espahbod Khorshid was in fact the grandson of Espahbod Farrokhan the Great, a member of the Gavbaragan dynasty, which once ruled over Deylaman and Tabaristan. According to surviving historical accounts, while Espahbod Khorshid ruled the region, the Arabs set out from Tabaristan toward Khorasan to conquer new lands. For this reason, Espahbod Khorshid settled his wife and children in the cave, in present-day Savadkuh, and set off toward Gilan with a large army to fight the Arabs. During Espahbod Khorshid's absence, while he was engaged in the war with the Arabs, a group of Arabs besieged the cave for nearly three months. When they could not find a way in, they killed a dog and left it in the stream that ran at the cave's entrance. As a result, everyone living inside the cave, including the wife and children of Espahbod Khorshid, contracted cholera and died.

Espahbod Khorshid Cave is cool in spring and summer. Naturally, the temperature inside the cave is more pleasant than the outside air. Spring and summer are the best times to visit Espahbod Khorshid Cave, because in these two seasons rain is less likely and conditions for a visit are more favorable. Because of the difficult trail, we do not recommend going to this cave in autumn or winter. If you are looking for excitement, you can take the direct route through the valley below the cave, which is suitable for professional climbers experienced in mountaineering and rock climbing and requires full equipment. But if you prefer a more relaxed trip, take the eastern route, whose entrance is near the shooting range below the cave; after walking this trail through nature, you will reach the base of the cave.