Karaftu Caves

Quick Facts

• Type: Rock-cut cave complex
• Location: Near Divandarreh, Kurdistan Province, Iran
• Notable for: Greek inscription linked to Heracles
• Region: Iranian Kurdistan

Overview

The Karaftu Caves are a multi-level rock-cut complex carved into a limestone cliff in Kurdistan Province. The caves include chambers, stairways, and inscriptions that point to long-term human use and historical significance.

A Greek inscription referencing Heracles made the site famous and suggests connections to the Hellenistic world, though the caves were used across multiple periods.

Landscape and Culture

Karaftu stands above highland valleys and grazing routes that have supported settlement for centuries. The site blends the dramatic Zagros landscape with archaeological layers that span from antiquity to more recent eras.

Notes

The caves are one of the most distinctive rock-cut sites in Iranian Kurdistan.