Meymand, Kerman

Maymand (Persian میمند ) is a historic, dug into the rock cave village in the province Kermān in Iran, 36 km from the city of Shahr -e Bābak away.

The village is located in an arid climate, and is watered by qanats. In the semi- arid landscape pistachio and wild almond trees grow. To the fauna of the Maymand level include desert animals such as snakes, crocodiles, hedgehogs and turtles. In the mountains you will find deer, leopards, wolves, foxes, zebras, ibex and different bird species.

The approximately 140 inhabitants of the village are semi-nomadic and live from farming, animal husbandry and their craft. To the summer lodging of the shepherds are called Kapars and Gambehs, round stone houses with conical roofs wood. The other cave houses are terraced in four to five steps. They consist of several 16 -20m ² large rooms, in the middle of which a furnace is located. Parts of the village serve as a museum and is open to the public.

The local dialect still contains many words from Middle Persian.

The inhabited since 2000-3000 years ago cave village was established in 2005 in recognition of the cultural landscape with the Greek Melina Mercouri Prize of UNESCO.