Quri Qal’eh Cave
Quri Qal’eh Cave is a breathtaking natural attraction located in Kermanshah Province, Iran. It is situated 25 km away from Ravansar city and is considered the largest water cave in Asia as well as the longest water cave in Iran. The cave is a series of stunning halls including Arous, Beethoven, Namaz, and four spectacular waterfalls. Visitors can marvel at the lanterns and beautiful formations throughout the cave. Quri Qal’eh Cave is a must-visit destination for nature lovers and adventure seekers.
Reason for naming it Quri Qal’eh
The cave takes its name from the nearby village of Quri Qal’eh. According to local legend, there used to be several castles in the area, one of which resembled a teapot. In Persian, “Quri” means teapot, and “Qal’eh” means castle, hence the name Quri Qal’eh for this place.
History of the cave
The Quri Qal’eh Cave is a several million-year-old cave, composed of Cretaceous limestone, dating back to 65 million years ago during the second geological period. Interestingly, until about 40 years ago, this cave was unknown to the general public. Cave explorers discovered this amazing cave about 50 years ago. During the leveling of its crater, artifacts from the late Sassanid period were found, which included eight silver dishes with the motif of partridges and hunting birds, pottery pieces, and 15 Sassanid coins related to Yazdgerd III. Additionally, two discovered dishes have inscriptions on the middle side.
More about Quri Qal’eh Cave
Quri Qal’eh Cave is a magical place with enchanting halls, such as the Bride, Beethoven, and Maryam. The lanterns are shaped differently, such as lion stone, cobra, lion profile, elephant, heart, cabbage flower, gooseneck, waterfall, turtle, and tall and spectacular waterfalls. This cave is mesmerizing for anyone who sees it. The most prominent feature of Quri Qal’eh Cave is its size, which is the largest in the Middle East, with a length of 12 kilometers and a depth of 3,140 meters. The cave has two main phases. The first phase is 500 meters long and includes Maryam Hall and Kohan Shotor, which are two beautiful halls. Maryam Hall is a pond-like area with a statue of Maryam (PBUH) in the shape of a lamp. Kohan Shotor Hall also has different and strange-shaped lanterns, such as ships and lions. The second phase of the cave is 1,000 meters long and includes the bridal, Beethoven, and prayer halls. The Bride’s Hall is the most beautiful part of this phase, located at a depth of 1500 meters. This hall is a wide area decorated with shiny and white crystals, and that’s why it’s called the Bride. In this hall, spectacular lanterns hang from the ceiling, ranging from two to eight meters high. Beethoven Hall is another magical hall in Quri Qal’eh. In this hall, you can watch one of the most beautiful ponds in the world and admire the beautiful lanterns. Each of the lanterns in this section has different sounds, and by touching each of them, you will hear a different resonance. Therefore, this section is called Beethoven Hall.
Visiting hours
Visiting hours of this large and stunning cave are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
