Ktlekhor cave

Ktlekhor is located at an altitude of 1,700 meters above sea level and the difference between its height and the height of the spring that drains the water from the cave and falls into the saline river is 50 meters. The entrance of Katlekhor Cave is a 4,000-meter-long vestibule with a short roof and no stone cave and several side vestibules. After the side atrium, there is a 950-meter-wide corridor with two-meter-high ascents and dry pits that continue with a 50-meter fork, and after passing an uphill, you will reach a large hall covered with drips and abstracts and columns. The primary entrance to this atrium is closed to prevent possible damage. This place was called "Yurt Yeri" by the locals, which in Turkish means the place where people or ancestors lived.

One of the wonders and beauties of Katlekhor Cave is the multiplicity of floors. Such caves are very rare in the world.
Ktaleh Khor Cave is a limestone cave in some parts of which clay and soils containing iron oxide can be seen. The cave, whose three floors have been identified, has sub-tunnels and various sections resulting from different calcareous assemblages, each named after a resemblance to one of the objects around us; These include Sleeping Lion Square, Bistoon Square, Chehelston Square, Mountain Highway, Panjshir Square, Bridal Hall, Qandili Tunnel, Wedding Room, Elephant Foot, Camel, Bride and Groom, Candle Square, Witch, Burnt Palm, Holy Mary Square And ... named.

Kandili Tunnel Ktaleh Khorbour Caves Ktaleh Khormisar Cave
Photo source: Radio and Television News Agency (Photographer: Ali Reza Zeinali)

Inside the part called the Small Crystal Hall, which is attached to the Hall of Columns, there is a well eight meters deep, which is probably the exit point of the Furro waters and the cave builder. The presence of very clear water springs around this cave and numerous natural cavities are also unique features of this cave. Also, another wonder and beauty of this cave is the multiplicity of floors, such caves are very rare in the world. It is believed that this cave has seven floors, but so far only three floors have been discovered.

The corridors of the cave are crowded


It is interesting to know that according to the evidence and studies, Katlekhor Cave is connected to Ali Sadr Cave in Hamedan and these two caves are almost the same in terms of age; Of course, they are different in two ways. One is that Ali Sadr Cave in Hamedan is a completely blue cave; But Zanjan Cave Cave is almost dry. Secondly, the limestones of Katlekhor Cave are much purer than the limestones of Ali Sadr Cave, which makes the cave more beautiful, because the purity of the limestones makes them transparent and, as a result, light passes through the chandeliers.

It is interesting to know that according to the evidence and studies, Katlekhor Cave is connected to Ali Sadr Cave in Hamedan.
At present, this cave is divided into three parts: cultural, recreational and sports; The sports section, which is used only by cavers and rock climbers, is about four kilometers long and its end has not yet been discovered.

The recreational part of the cave, which is used for public viewing, is about two kilometers of direct route, which is said to be only one third of the entire cave. The cultural part of the cave is also located in the southern part of it and its main part is a natural corridor that is used for holding various ceremonies, however, this corridor has no way out and its exit way has been artificially dug; But the corridor itself is completely natural.

Elephant Pie of Kotle Khordo Cave Wizard of Ktaleh Khoro Cave Visitors of Ktaleh Khorgol Cave
Photo source: Radio and Television News Agency (Photographer: Ali Reza Zeinali) and IRNA News Agency

As for the animals of Katlekhor Cave, it should be said that the only animal inside the cave is the bat, because other animals do not live due to lack of nutrition and sufficient light. The climate inside the cave is different in different parts. For example, at the entrance, due to the rotation of the air up to 4,000 meters, it is almost cool and starts from 11 degrees Celsius. In the more inland areas, the humidity reaches about 90%.

Katlekhor Cave has undergone many changes over time, some natural and some artificial. Natural changes in this cave include fractures caused by earthquakes, faults, landslides and falls. 

Katlekhor Cave is one of the most beautiful limestone caves in the world and is one of the most unique caves in the world in terms of age, size, number of floors and variety in the formation of chandeliers. This cave was discovered before 1300 and was registered 30 years later by Seyyed Assadollah Jamali. The most important and extensive visit to Katlekhor, which made it more famous, dates back to 1986, when a team of skilled cavers explored the cave and discovered many neglects.

Katlekhor is one of the unique caves in the world in terms of the size and variety of chandeliers.
Of course, this cave still has many undiscovered routes and no end has been found for it. So far, about 30 km of Katlekhor Cave has been identified and mapped 22 km of this area, but only a 1,200-meter route, on the first floor of the cave, has been prepared for tourists to visit.

Why is this cave called Katlekhor?
The vestibules of Ktlekhor Cave


In some western regions of Iran, the low mountains are called "Katleh" and probably the name of the cave is that it is located in one of these mountains and the sun rises behind it and instead of "Katleh Khorshid" it is called "Katlekhor" " they say. The locals call this cave "Katl Kotul".

In Turkish, "katleh" means low and high and unevenness inside the cave and "khor" means comfort and ease, which generally means comfortable and cozy low and high. "Sun hill" and "village without the sun" are other meanings of the mass.

Where is Katlekhor Cave?
Katlekhor Cave is located in Zanjan province and is one of the sights of Khodabandeh or Qeydar city. This cave is located in the heart of the limestone mountains south of Garmab village and five kilometers from Garmab city of Khodabandeh city.