Ali-Sadr, Iran's unique water cave - Hamedan

The world's largest water cave, Iran's Ali-Sadr, is a unique natural phenomenon, which attracts millions of visitors every year.

The Ali-Sadr cave, which is located 75km to the northeast of the city of Hamedan, lies in the Subashi Mountains of Kaboudar-Ahang.

Upon entering, visitors see a vast area that leads them through a wide path onto a wharf where they must take a boat to continue their tour.

Visitors then move through a number of labyrinthine halls, ending in the 'Island', which is located 350 meters from the wharf.

More than 11 kilometers of the cave's water canals have been discovered so far. Some routes are 10 to 11 kilometers long and all lead to the 'Island'.

Icicle-shaped lime decorates the ceiling of the magnificent cave in some parts.

The steady dripping of mineral-containing water has created beautiful red, purple, brown, green and blue lime pillars in the shape of cauliflowers, needles and umbrellas.

Excavations and archeological studies of the cave have led to the discovery of ancient artworks, jugs and pitchers dating back to 12000 years ago.

The animals, hunting scenes and bows and arrows depicted on the walls and passages of the exit section, suggest primitive man used the cave as their abode.

The 70 million-year old cave which was first discovered by Iranian mountaineers in 1963, is visited by some 80,000 tourists annually.

Hamedan Province, which was once one of the centers of the Persian civilization, is located in the mountainous part of western Iran.