Happy TravellerWelcome to Abadeh, a city located in the Fars Province of Iran. Situated at an elevation of 6,200 feet in a fertile plain on the high road between Isfahan and Shiraz, Abadeh is a hidden gem that boasts a rich history, breathtaking landscapes, and unique handicrafts. Join us as we uncover the many treasures of Abadeh and reveal why this enchanting destination should be on every traveler’s bucket list.
Abadeh has a special position due to its location at the three-way communication between Isfahan, Yazd, and Shiraz. According to the texts of archaeologists, the settlement in the current area of Abadeh dates back to the first millennium BC. Nomadic Kurdish groups were the first to settle in the plain between Abadeh and Isfahan in the Achaemenid period. Remaining ancient monuments, such as the ancient castle of Izadkhas and Bahram Gur Palace in Surmaq, are proofs of the existence of culture and civilization in this geographical area.
Abadeh is famed for its carved wood-work, made of the wood of pear and box trees. The carvings of the Marble Palace were made by the artists of this city, such as Master Ahmad Emami. Abadeh woodwork is world-famous, and its examples are kept in world museums as the best works of art. In 2017, the World Council of Handicrafts (WCC) introduced Abadeh as the world city of carving. Monbat Abadeh has 150 active domestic or commercial carving workshops and 5000 carving artists.
Abadeh rugs are also a famous handicraft of the area. The rugs tend to be based on a cotton warp and have a thin, tightly knotted pile. Most Abadeh rugs are closely cut, making them very flat. Although some of the older Abadehs vary in style, many of the new designs are easily recognizable. These new designs, known as Heybatlu, consist of a single diamond-shaped medallion in the center with smaller medallions on each corner. The pattern is typically geometrical flowers or animals, and the main colors are light reds or burnt orange on top of a dark blue background with strong green details. The corners or borders are generally ivory in color. Although some Abadeh and Shiraz rugs appear similar, Abadeh can normally be differentiated by their higher knot counts as well as the fact that the warp is invariably cotton. The rugs are almost always exclusively medium in size, and the KPSI of an average Abadeh is around 90.
Abadeh historical monuments include Emirate Kolah Farangi, Tymcheh Sarafyan, and Khaje tomb, located in the Khoja mountains. Abadeh crafts can be embroidered in cotton. The town also produces Abadeh rugs. The area is famous for its Abadeh rugs. Abadeh is also home to Takhti Stadium, the main stadium for football in the city. The main team in Abadeh is Behineh Rahbar Abadeh F.C. which is currently playing in Iran Football’s 3rd Division after finishing first in Fars Provincial League (FPL) last year. It played in Hazfi Cup 2010-11 reaching the fourth round.
Abadeh city is located in the northernmost point of Fars province. Abadeh is connected to Isfahan province from the north and west, Safacity and Eqlid from the south, and Yazd province from the east. Expressway 65 passes through Abadeh, and Road 78 makes connections from Abadeh to Abarkuh, Yazd Eqlid, and Yasuj. The railroad from Isfahan to Shiraz passes Abadeh, and there are train services at Abadeh Railway Station to Shiraz, Esfahan, Tehran, and Mashad. Abadeh Airport (OISA) was planned to be built in the mid-1990s.
Abadeh features a continental semi-arid climate with heat and dryness over summer, and cold (extreme at times) and wet winter, with huge variations between daytime and nighttime throughout the year. The area can experience severely cold weather due to its high elevation. The mines located in this city are Esteghlal Abadeh large refractory soil mine, one of the largest producers of this mineral, and an industrial mine around the city where the raw materials are from tile, ceramic, and brick factories in the country.
Abadeh is closer, road-distance-wise, to 4 provincial capitals of Isfahan, Yasuj, Yazd, and Shahrekord compared to the distance to the provincial capital of its corresponding province, Shiraz. Abadeh is a city that is rich in history, culture, and handicrafts. It is a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to Iran.
