Ali-Sadr Cave by Maarten Verhees

About "Ali-Sadr Cave"

by Maarten Verhees

About the artwork

The Ali Sadr Cave, originally called Ali Saadr or Ali Sard (meaning cold), is the world's largest water cave that attracts thousands of visitors every year. It is located in Ali Sadr Kabudarahang County, about 100 kilometres north of Hamadan, in western Iran. Because of its proximity to major cities like Hamadan, it is a highly recommended destination for tourists from all over the world. Tours of the cave are available by pedal boat. The Ali-Sadr cave was rediscovered by a shepherd from the village of Ali-Sadr where the cave is located.

Ali-Sadr is the world's largest water cave, where you sit in a boat and look at the view. This cave is located at 48°18'E 35°18'N, in the southern part of the village of Ali Sadr. The cave is entered on the side of a hill called Sari Ghiyeh, which also contains two other caves, Sarab and Soubashi, each 7 and 11 kilometres from the Ali Sadr cave. Apparently, the water in the Ali-Sadr cave comes from a spring in Sarab.

In summer 2001, a German/British expedition investigated the cave, which was found to be 11 kilometres long. The main chamber of the cave is 100 metres by 50 metres and 40 metres high.

The cave walls can reach up to 40 metres high and contain several large, deep lakes. The cave has a river flowing through it and most trips through the cave system are done by boat. So far, more than 11 kilometres of the cave's water channels have been discovered. Some routes are 10 to 11 kilometres long and all lead to "The Island", a central large atrium.