Uraman Takht Village of Marivan, with its unique stepped architecture and pristine nature, is one of the unparalleled tourist destinations in Kurdistan.
Uraman is a village in the Uraman district of Sarvabad County and one of the tourist attractions of Kurdistan. Uraman in Kurdistan borders Iraq to the west, Kurdistan province to the north, and Javanrud to the south, and a 75-kilometer road connects it to Marivan. This region is shared between Iran and Iraq. Uraman is also called Uraman Takht, Huraman Takht, or Hawraman. Hawraman means "the place of the sun." Uraman village, with its stepped architecture, is known as the "Thousand Masouleh of Kurdistan," meaning the courtyard of one building is the roof of the building below.
The people of Uraman speak the Urami language, which is one of the Gorani dialects, a subgroup of northwestern Iranian dialects. This beautiful village, nestled in the mountains and nature with amazing architecture, attracts many tourists annually from all over the world. Besides Uraman village, stepped villages like Palangan and Zhivar near Sanandaj are also prominent due to the mountainous terrain of the region.
It is one of the notable tourist spots in Marivan and one of the stepped villages in Iran, considered a version of Masouleh in Gilan.
It is a settlement with over 3,000 years of history and has houses that have remained intact for over 900 years.
It has unique nature and views that captivate every visitor’s eye.
According to archaeological research, the oldest inhabitants of western Iran, including the current Uraman area, were a people called the Karto around the eighth millennium BC. They lived a nomadic life based on animal husbandry. Around the second millennium BC, the first groups settled permanently and established the first city in Uraman, called "Atur." This ancient city was burned down by the Assyrians about 3,000 years ago and was located in a place called Atorgeh. Atorgeh is the old name of a location near present-day Paweh, between Banureh and the village of Zardui. Even the village of Zardui was called Atorgeh until about 200 years ago. Thus, the first settlers of Hawraman are the ancestors of the people of Zardui.
The antiquity of archaeological and historical artifacts in Uraman is estimated between 40,000 to 12,000 years ago. These discovered artifacts, mostly found near the villages of Hajij, Nav, and Espirez, include stone tools of the first cave dwellers and even bones of hunted animals, mostly mountain goats. Remains of hearths used in caves have also been found. These artifacts belong to the Paleolithic era.
Among other Iron Age findings in Uraman is the Uraman stone inscription near Tang-e Var. This inscription belongs to the Assyrian period and depicts the relief of Sargon II, king of Assyria, along with a cuneiform text describing his military campaigns in the western Zagros and Uraman. Several parchments from the Seleucid and Parthian periods, called the "Benchagh of Uraman," have also been discovered.
Contrary to its name, Uraman Takht is not flat but located in a highly rugged mountainous area. The architecture of Uraman is based on dry-stone masonry, meaning no mortar was used, and the houses are built stepwise on the steep rocky slopes. The blue windows, wooden ceilings, and flower pots add to the beauty of Uraman Takht’s houses.
Some houses here are over 900 years old and have suffered little damage. Most houses are two-story and have spaces arranged based on the residents’ livelihoods, differing among gardeners, farmers, and herders. Usually, the ground floor is used for keeping livestock and storage, while the main residential area is on the upper floor, divided into various sections.
There is no entry fee for visiting Uraman village, and it can be visited 24 hours a day. If you start from Sanandaj or Marivan, you can visit Uraman Takht in a single day.
Uraman Takht is 75 kilometers from Marivan and located to its southeast. If you drive about half an hour from Marivan toward Sanandaj, you will reach the famous Hezbollah junction, where you should turn toward Uraman Takht. The road to Uraman runs along beautiful mountain slopes.
Pir Shalyar Mausoleum
Near Uraman Takht on a path called Balba Reh Hawraman, you can visit the city’s most important historical site, the mausoleum of Pir Shalyar, a simple stone building with a turquoise dome highly respected by locals.
Uraman Takht Mosque
There is an ancient mosque in Uraman Takht considered one of the rare mosques in Iran. Despite renovations, its original structure remains visible and enjoyable. The mosque is built from stone with walnut wood used for doors and windows. It is a "Shabestani" style mosque without a dome but has four minarets and four floors. Inside, 14 walnut wooden columns with Islamic carvings can be seen.
The Sirvan and Lileh rivers flow near Uraman Takht, and towering mountains provide stunning views. Oak trees are among the highlights, along with trees like elm, shiru, wild pistachio, walnut, mulberry, hawthorn, pear, fig, and pomegranate.
The best season to visit Uraman Takht is spring, especially May. If you plan to travel to Kurdistan and Uraman, you can enjoy the area’s beauty by booking a plane ticket or any other means of transportation.
