Kharanagh Village

Kharanagh is a village and the capital of Kharanagh District in Ardakan County, Yazd Province, Iran. It lies 60 kilometres from the city of Ardakan and is noted for its distinctive natural and historical features. Kharanagh is located in a mountainous part of Yazd Province and offers a number of natural attractions. The area is also known for its various mines, including iron ore, Chadormalu, Saghand uranium, barite, zinc and granite. In addition, the Darreh Anjir Wildlife Refuge, home to animals such as wild goat, ibex, ewes, mouflon rams, wildcat, caracal, cheetah and houbara bustard, makes the village a special and appealing destination for nature lovers. Kharanagh has a new part and an old part, and today most of the villagers live in the new part. The old part of the village attracts tourists and researchers because of its historical setting and distinctive architecture. In the past the village was known as Khoranagh or Khoranaq, meaning the place where the sun rises or the birthplace of the sun. The name is in fact an altered form of the word "Horneh", which meant the sun in Old or Middle Persian, and over time, through changes under the influence of Arabic, it was split into "Khor" and "neh".

With its rich history and natural resources, Kharanagh is regarded as an important village in Yazd Province, combining natural, historical and cultural attractions. The village's most important attraction is its castle, which is said to be 4,500 years old. In the past the village was repeatedly attacked by bandits and thieves, which led the villagers to build Kharanagh Castle and live inside it for a long time. Interestingly, this historic castle is one of the few castles in the world containing two- and three-storey houses, and it looks like an exhibition whose stalls are made of mud brick and clay. Kharanagh Castle is a valuable historical relic covering about one hectare, and it is known as one of the largest inhabited village castles in Yazd Province.

The best times to visit Kharanagh are early spring, autumn and winter. In spring, the pleasant weather and the blossoming trees make Kharanagh a wonderful destination. In summer, although Kharanagh's climate is cooler than that of other parts of the province, you are not safe from the sun's glare, which can be unpleasant. Autumn and winter in Kharanagh are very cold, although the days are mild and there is no harsh sunshine.