The village of Liqvan, the green jewel of East Azerbaijan, is located on the slopes of Mount Sahand and 36 kilometers east of Tabriz. This village attracts many tourists every year with its stepped architecture and pristine nature. Due to its cool and moderate climate in summers and cold and covered with snow in winters, Liqvan is an ideal place for summer vacations and leisure time.
Liqvan (Liqwan) village is located 36 km east of Tabriz and 24 km south of Basmenj city. To access this village, you have to take the Tabriz-Liqwan road, which will reach Liqwan after passing through the city of Basmenj and Hervi and Beyragh villages.
In the rest of the article, we will read about the history of Liqvan village, the culture and traditions of its people, and the role of the famous “Liqvan cheese” in the region’s economy. Also, we will the cheese production process and the importance of maintaining quality and health standards in this industry. Since Lighvan cheese is an integral part of the region’s identity, it can be said that every slice of this cheese contains a story of the rich history and culture of Liqvan.
The history of Liqvan
Liqvan village, which is located in a pristine and dead-end area, is known as one of the ideal areas for livestock and sheep grazing. This area, which is known locally as “Mamad Valley”, is the home of tribes and nomads. Liqwan, which is located next to the Mehran River and the Sahand high mountains, has a unique plant diversity, and medicinal plants such as Oregano, Chamomile and mushrooms grow in this area, which give it great importance. Using the milk of sheep that feed on these plants, the local people produce a delicious white cheese that is unmatched throughout the Middle East, hence the fame of Liqvan cheese.
One of the reasons for the attractiveness of Liqwan village is the presence of numerous hot springs that originate from the geological activities and volcanic effects of Mount Sahand. These springs are connected to each other and have created several rivers that originate from the rich mineral waters of the earth, which are considered among the best mineral waters of the region due to the unique climatic conditions. Next to these rivers, there are the strong and magnificent Sahand mountains, which are known as the green jewel among the mountains of Iran.
Tourist attractions
.Liqvan is famous not only for its famous cheese but also for other natural and cultural attractions. In this section, we will discuss some of these attractions
Liqvan is located among green valleys and mountains and presents an eye-catching view. Roaring rivers, clear springs, and meadows full of wild flowers are all part of the beauty of this village. In addition, Sahand Mountain, which is known as the silent volcanic mountain, provides a spectacular background for Liqvan.
Among the tourist attractions of Liqvan, we can refer to the mineral springs and natural hot water of Liqvan, the forest valley and tourism of Liqvan, the stone mansion of Liqvan (Dash Imarat), the bridge of Haj Salar Liqvan (Haj Salar Korpusi), the great hill cave natural refrigerator of Liqvan and the historical bath of Liqvan.
Historical bath of Liqvan
It is narrated that in old Liqwan, the late Haj Salar, who was the lord of the village at that time, went to the Liqwan Valley for hunting one day and happened to witness a sad scene. After returning from the mountain, a farmer was washing his body in the Liqvan Chai river, and this scene deeply affected Haj Salar.
This event became an incentive to build a bath in the village, which today is known as one of the oldest public buildings in Liqvan and has a history dating back to the early Qajar era. The late Haj Salar Liqvan built this valuable building for the welfare and comfort of the local people with his efforts and funding, and at the same time, he directed the underground water channel from the river to the bath location. This channel, which is called “kore” in local parlance, is still used by the residents in several places.
The bath has a dome-shaped structure and the materials used in it are made of stone and special cement mortar. To heat the floor of the bath, a furnace has been placed under it. The vaulting of the ceiling and the regular distance between the columns of the walls show the high skill of its designer.
.The bath was initially in the form of a public bath. In early 1970s, changes were made in the internal structure of the bathroom and the public bath was converted into individual showers
Local products of Liqva
The local products of Liqvan include barley, wheat, apples, walnuts, potatoes, milk, cream, buttermilk, butter, animal oil, pears, kashk, chickpeas and finally Liqvan cheese, which is world-renowned for its high quality.
One of the unique attractions of Lighvan is its famous cheese, which is known as one of the best cheeses in Iran. Lighvan cheese, made from the milk of sheep that graze on pastures full of medicinal plants, has a distinctive taste and soft texture. This cheese is famous for its tiny holes and its pure white color, which indicates the high quality of the sheep’s milk.
Atabakhsh, The best brand of Liqvan cheese
Among the producers of Liqvan cheese, Atabakhsh is known as one of the oldest and most reliable companies. Since 1980, The Ashrafi Liqvani family is producing Liqvan cheese under the brand name Atabakhsh, by maintaining traditional methods with updated health standards (Iran health standard, national and international barcodes, HACCP, ISO 22000 and ISO 9001). At the moment, Atabakhsh products are being sold in Iran, Qatar and Russia. Atabakhsh Liqvan cheese is produced with a combination of tradition and industry without using any chemical preservatives and is prepared for sale after a period of quarantine and aging in natural refrigerators.
Lighvan cheese plays an important role in the economy of the village. The production and sale of this product is not only a source of income for local producers, but also helps to promote tourism. Many tourists travel to this village to experience the authentic taste of Liqvan cheese and buy directly from the producers.
Liqvan cheese is not only a food product but also a symbol of cultural and historical heritage of Liqvan village. This cheese, which is produced by skilled hands and loving hearts, forms part of the identity of this region and is introduced to the world as one of the precious treasures of Iran. We hope that with more support and attention, Liqvan cheese and its village can remain as a lasting legacy for future generations.
Lighvan, with a combination of unique nature, rich culture, and high-quality products, is considered one of the valuable treasures of Iran. This village has been noticed not only as a destination for tourism but also as a symbol of Iran’s capabilities and beauty. Finally, Liqvan and its cheese form part of the identity and cultural heritage of this region and tell a story of effort, love, and honor that generations will remember.
