Geliard village in region of Taleqan, Ghazvin Province
Taleqan is one of the unique valleys in the mountainous areas of the western skirts of Alborz Mountain Range. From the east to the west, there passes a deep river named Taleqan-Rood or Shaahrood.
The river reaches Alamout River and then flows to Sepidrood Dam Lake. Taleqan is 120 km North West of Tehran and includes a wide valley which comprises of about 90 villages.
Famous mountain peaks with altitudes of 4000 meters and more such as Shaah-Alborz, 4200 meter high, or Naaz, 4108 meter high, in addition to waterfalls, springs, and natural caves have made the region one of the most fascinating natural areas in Iran. As a result, and also due to its fine moderate weather and its being shortly distant from the capital, Taleqan is considered as one of the summer resorts for the people of Tehran. The whole region hosts tourists and lovers of nature during spring and summer.
Thanks to being located on the heights of Alborz, most villages in Taleqan have fine cool weather during summer and are far from the pollutions of cities.
Geliard village is located south of Shahrood River in Taleqan. With an altitude of 2224 meters above sea level, the village enjoys a fine climate in summer but it is cold in winter. Residents of this village are Muslims and speak Farsi language. The economy of the village relies upon activities in the field of agriculture, animal husbandry, and gardening. Some locals, however, work in the servicing sector. To mention some products from the two industries of agriculture and animal husbandry in Geliard village, we can name cereals, non-tropical fruits, walnut, apple, sour cherry, and dairy. And some other stuff is made there such as different wooden handicrafts, gloves, shawls, socks, and special types of rug and mat called kilim and jajim respectively.
The village of Geliard is said to be 500-600 years old. It is the birth place of one of the contemporary religious and revolutionary figures of Iran's history, the late Ayatollah Seyyed Mahmoud Taleqani. He was one of the clergymen who confronted against the oppressive and corrupt regime of Shah and spent many years in the prisons of Pahlavi regime. Ayatollah Taleqani was also one of the companions of the founder of the Islamic republic, Imam Khomaini (May his soul rest in peace), and made many efforts for the victory of the Islamic revolution.
Geliard village has a dense residential texture, and is located on a mild slope. Most of the old houses are built one-storey but some newer ones have two floors and balconies, too. Older houses are made of stone, clay, adobe, and wood and comprise a living room, a dining room, a kitchen, a restroom, a yard, and a storeroom. Inside the houses there is also a place exclusively prepared for baking bread that is known as Tanur-khaneh. The houses in this village mostly have gable roofs and beautiful wooden doors and windows. Pathways in Geliard have often taken the form of beautiful garden-lanes thanks to the existence of many green gardens and old trees. The floor and walls of these pathways have been renovated and reconstructed in a traditional style with the efforts of Iran's Cultural Heritage Organization.
Owing to being located in a mountainous area and having moderate fine weather, Geliard has many natural attractions. The picturesque sceneries of the vast orchards, natural views around the road leading to the village, and the nearby heights which are covered with various species of wild plants and flowers attract tourists and travelers especially in spring and summer.
From among the historic places there, mention can be made of Ayatollah Taleqani's house is in the center of the village next to the mosque and today it has turned into a museum. The traditional architecture used in the construction of this large beautiful house dates back to the Qajar period.
The other historic monument in Geliard is the old public bath with its dome-shaped roof that has semi-circular curves. This public bath which was constructed with materials like stone, mortar, chalk, and cement, has been reconstructed and renovated. The most well-known souvenirs that can be taken from this attractive village are dried fruit, slabs of apricot and plum and walnut. Geliard village is accessible via Karaj-Qazvin expressway.
Source: irib.ir
