The articles such as gelims (rugs made of goats’ hair), jajims (fine carpets made of wool or cotton), socks, traditional dress, knives, spades, axes, scissors, and scythes are produced in Masuleh. Making a certain type of shoes called chamush is another occupation. The leather used for making chamushes are produced in the tanneries of the village itself. The shops selling traditional goods are scattered throughout Masuleh
This museum has the traditional tools that the pepole of this village have used in the past. It includes tools for kitchen, food preservation, transportation, beds, dresses ...
They are not recently made, and not pictures. They are real.
This picture shows the entrance. There are two rooms.
A lot of Tehranians come to this village espesially in the summer vacation and in the weekends., and some of them stay there for some nights. They speak English, and you may ask them about the location of this Museuam ... as I did with this man and the two ladies with him.
Walking is the only way to explore the ancient village of Masuleh - the 'streets' are too narrow for any transport. The car park is at the bottom of the village, across the small river.
There are different paths up through Masuleh, giving views back over the tree covered mountains, which are particularly atmospheric when there are misty clouds swirling over the vegetation.
The old cream coloured houses appear to be clinging to the mountainside, in a higgledy-piggledy jumble, where one houses roof, forms the terrace of the house above.
It can be quite a steep climb over uneven steps in parts, so care should be taken.
After a short, but steep climb, we arrived at a cemetery, which had a Martyrs section, identified by the Iranian flags fluttering by each tomb. Next to the cemetery was a small green domed mosque. I peeped into the open doorway, but there was a man inside praying, so I didn't venture in. Apparently there are more mosques in Masuleh, but I didn't see any of these.
Continuing past the mosque, we walked past gravestones set in the walls of the narrow passageway, and on the path itself.
Later, after lunch, while standing enjoying the scene in front of me, of the village rooftops and the nearby mountains, the call to prayer began. A sound that evokes so many happy memories of previous travels, when it's been the 'soundtrack' to the scene or 'moment' that I've been enjoying.
I'm not religious, but I subconsciously find myself stopping, and having a few minutes 'time-out' each time I hear the call to prayer.
I'm probably one of the few non-Muslims that enjoys staying near a mosque, and being shocked awake by the early morning call.
We were passing by this cavelike shop ( pic 2), when a woman appeared and invited us to look around. There was a selection of knitted goods as well as traditional costumes( pic 3), which she tried to pursuade me to dress up in. I politely declined, as I was feeling a bit 'hot and sticky' after climbing up the steep slope, though I did feel a bit of a spoil sport after I saw the sign outside.
I didn't really want to buy anything, but saw some knitted slippers, which I thought might be useful as a present for one of my friends. They cost 20,000 Rialls.
Handicrafts made by the villagers, are one of the main industries of the area, with the wool being bought (or bartered with) from the local shepherds. The wool is made into clothing or carpets. Other crafts include metal work, such as knives or tools and paintings. ( pic 4)
The old wooden houses of Masuleh are quite attractive, in a weather worn, dilapidated way. Though I did see some that were being renovated, with one that looked as if it was going to be converted into a small hotel. Apparently, there has been funding for locals to be trained in carpentry and other skills necessary to repair and restore the houses
The houses are usually 2 storied, some have attractive latticed balconies. The one in the photo had a steep external staircase. Presumably, the houses were made from wood, as it was readily available, with the nearby forests of trees.
Masuleh offers you great opportunities for leisure walks around the village. Depending on your time, mood and physical condition of course.
We walked in a path through the hill facing the village. This allowed us in complete serentiy to come in touch with nature and offered us panoramic views over the village. We had the chance to make wonderful photos both in mist and with bright sunlight.
masuleh is one of most attractive cities in iran and also in gilan province.
actually i was surprised by the amount of scenery in this smal town.
very nice dishes you can find in masuleh.
realy ,masuleh is one of my destination in iran and ,i decided to visit it again to check it out!
there is too many things to visit ,as soon as you arrive to masuleh.
here is another photo of masuleh and it's streets.
you can walking in it's streets and enjoing to see many considerable artistic views.
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