Misplaced Pages

The Karaftu caves (Persian: کرفتو,Kurdish: کەرەفتوو) are an ensemble of artificially cut rock chambers located between Saqqez and Divandarreh, Kurdistan province, Iran. The cave complex dates back to the 3rd or 4th century BC and is of major importance due to its Greek inscription; "one of the very few examples preserved in situ" in Iran.

Alongside the Bisotun Herakles, it represents one of the only extant Seleucid rock-cut artworks.

The rock-cut cave complex dates to the Seleucid era, and likely served as a Seleucid garrison.

UNESCO

This cave was registered as one of Iran's national monuments on February 10, 1940, with registration number 330. Also, this cave was registered in UNESCO's temporary world list on November 15, 2022.

Gallery

Notes

1. Also spelled "Karafto".

References

1. Gall, Hubertus von (2010). "KARAFTO CAVES". Encyclopaedia Iranica, Vol. XV, Fasc. 5. pp. 533–536.
2. Canepa, Matthew P. (2018). The Iranian Expanse: Transforming Royal Identity through Architecture, Landscape, and the Built Environment, 550 BCE–642 CE. University of California Press. p. 186. ISBN 978-0520964365.
3. غار باستانی کرفتو در فهرست موقت جهانی یونسکو ثبت شد، خبرگزاری مهر، آبان ۱۴۰۱
4. ثبت غار باستانی «کرفتو» در فهرست موقت جهانی یونسکو ، دنیای اقتصاد، ۲۶ آبان ۱۴۰۱
5. Natural-Historical Complex / Cave of Karaftoo, UNESCO

36°16′N 46°51′E / 36.267°N 46.850°E / 36.267; 46.850

v t e Kurdistan province, Iran
Capital	Sanandaj
Counties and cities	Baneh County Baneh Armardeh Buin-e Sofla Kani Sur Bijar County Bijar Babarashani Yasukand Dehgolan County Dehgolan Bolbanabad Divandarreh County Divandarreh Zarrineh Kamyaran County Kamyaran Muchesh Marivan County Marivan Chenareh Kani Dinar Qorveh County Qorveh Delbaran Dezej Serishabad Sanandaj County Sanandaj Shuyesheh Saqqez County Saqqez Saheb Santeh Sarvabad County Sarvabad
Sights	Abidar Zarivar Lake Hawraman Pir Shalyar Old bazaars of Sanandaj Hajar Khatoon Mosque Garden of ayatollah Mardokh Baba Gurgur's mausoleum Mount Chlchama Lake of Vahdat dam (Sanandaj) Tengiwer inscription of Sargon II(Kamyaran) Garus ancient city Ahmadzadeh house House of Kurds (Asef's house) Khosroabad building Karaftu Bazaar of Saqqez Domenareh Mosque Haj Saleh Hammam Ziwiyeh Sakez Grand mosque of Sanandaj(Dar-al ehsan) Avihang mosque Historic Quran of Negel Sanandaj museum of natural history Sanandaj museum Hajij
populated places	List of cities, towns and villages in Kurdistan Province

This Iranian history-related article is a stub. You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it.

• v
• t
• e

This Kurdistan-related article is a stub. You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it.

• v
• t
• e

This article about an ancient Greek colony, settlement, or region is a stub. You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it.

• v
• t
• e

• Populated places in Kurdistan province
• Landforms of Kurdistan province
• Caves of Iran
• Greek inscriptions
• Seleucid Empire
• Iranian history stubs
• Kurdistan stubs
• Ancient Greek world stubs