Sabalan

Sabalan (Persian: سبلان, Azerbaijani: Savalan, ساوالان) is an inactive stratovolcano in Ardabil province of northwestern Iran. It is the third highest mountain in Iran and has a permanent crater lake formed at its summit. Sabalan has a ski resort (Alvares) and different tourist areas such as the Sarein spa. The mountain is known for its beautiful vistas, including the Shirvan gorge, where few climbers ever venture. According to some beliefs, the Mount Sabalan was the place where Zoroaster meditated for some years, so Mt. Savalan is one of the important sacred places in Zoroastrianism.

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Mount Sabalan

Located in the extreme north west of Iran in meshkin shar (khiav), Sabalan is the country's third highest peak after Damavand and Alam-Kuh. At 4,811 metres it is taller than Mount Blanc in the Alps. The mountain offers many attractions throughout the year. On the slopes of the mountain the mineral water from springs attracts large amounts of tourists each year, many have faith in healing properties believed to be in the springs. The nomadic people of the area live in small villages, with their round "Yurt" tents appealing to tourism. Sabalan is a volcanic peak, and at 3,600 metres you can see gigantic 'sculptures' which are eroded volcanic stone outcrops which resemble animals, birds and insects.

Sabalan, Safad

Sabalan (Arabic: سبلان‎, Sabalân) was a Palestinian Arab village in the Safad Subdistrict, located 15.5 kilometers (9.6 mi) northwest of Safad. It stood at an elevation of 800 meters (2,600 ft) above sea level overlooking the Druze village of Hurfeish. In 1945, Sabalan had a population of 70. It was depopulated during the 1948 Palestine War.

History

In 1881, the Palestine Exploration Fund's Survey of Western Palestine (SWP) described Neby Sebelan as "a village, built of stone, surrounding the tomb of the Neby Sebalan; containing about 100 Moslems; on top of high hill, with figs, olives, and arable land. There are four good springs to the east, besides cisterns." Some believe Sabalan is supposed to be Zebulun, the son of Jacob, while others claim he was a da'is ("missionary") who joined the Druze religion and helped promote it in the region. Archaeological artifacts, namely rock-cut tombs are located near the tomb.

In the British Mandate period, it had a circular plan with most of its houses being closely clustered together. Because of the steep slopes that surrounded Sabalan, the village was only able to expand on its northwestern end. Although the tomb of Nabi Sabalan was sacred to the Druze, the entire population of the village was Muslim and at its center stood a mosque. At the time of the 1931 census, Sabalan had 18 occupied houses and a population of 94 Muslims.