Masuleh

Gilan Province, Iran

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Masuleh, in Gilan Province, Iran, is a striking mountain village perched about 1,050 meters above sea level on the slopes of the Alborz range, roughly 60 kilometers southwest of Rasht. It is famous for its unique stepped‑terrace layout, where the rooftops of lower houses double as the courtyards and streets for the homes above, creating a tightly interlocked, multi‑level village built directly into the mountainside. The buildings are mostly made of stone, adobe, and wood, with yellowish‑ochre facades that blend into the misty green hills, while the whole village is off‑limits to cars, so visitors walk along narrow cobbled alleys and stairways. With a history stretching back over a thousand years and a rich local culture tied to the Caspian‑side climate, Masuleh has become a popular tourist destination known for its calm atmosphere, traditional houses, and lush, forested surroundings.