Asad-Kyaf

Just beyond the airport, rising abruptly from the steppe, two distinctive rock formations pierce the skyline—visible even from the streets of Nakhchivan. These are the flat-topped Nahajir, standing at 1,807 meters, and the sharply pointed Asad-Kyaf, reaching 1,665 meters.

Asad-Kyaf lies literally in an open field, its base dotted with parking lots and countless tea houses. Interestingly, most visitors to Asad-Kyaf bring their own food, which is then cooked on-site—a tradition that harks back to the roots of tourism itself, born from pilgrimages. Today’s travelers to this region often represent a transitional breed, blending the spiritual quest of pilgrims with the curiosity of modern tourists.

The name “Asad-Kyaf” is actually a somewhat inaccurate transcription. The more authentic name is “Asab-Kyaf,” or more precisely, “Ashab al-Kahf,” which translates as “The People of the Cave.” This title resonates deeply within Islamic tradition, referring to the heroes of a legendary tale better known to Christians as the Seven Sleepers of Ephesus. According to the legend, these young righteous men embraced monotheism in a pagan land and fled persecution by seeking refuge in a mountain cave. There, they fell into a miraculous slumber that lasted centuries. When they awoke, they found that their faith had become firmly established in the world around them.

In Islamic lore, the cave dwellers are named Yamlikha, Maksalina, Maslina, Marnush, Dabarnush, Sazanush, and Kafatayush, but the most famous among them is their dog, Kitmir, who fell asleep guarding the cave’s entrance. Folklore tells that in ancient times, the image of Kitmir’s name on a letter’s envelope was considered a talisman against the loss of correspondence.

While caves named Ashab al-Kahf appear worldwide—far outnumbering even the supposed tombs of Noah—this does not diminish the mystique of Nakhchivan’s Asad-Kyaf. The local version of the legend tells of six youths who clashed with a self-important ruler claiming divine status. Joined by a shepherd who knew of a safe refuge, they fled to the mountains. The shepherd’s dog, oddly named Getmir (“Does not go”), threatened to betray them. To prevent this, the shepherd broke the dog’s legs, yet the faithful animal still dragged itself to the cave’s entrance and died there. The fugitives, exhausted and terrified, fell asleep on the cave’s rocky floor.

What happened next is a tale as dramatic as a celestial event: “Nothing wakes you up like a meteorite in the morning.” A heavenly stone struck near the cave, awakening the exiles. Soon, a crowd gathered at the site of the meteor’s impact. The seven sleepers, emerging from their long slumber, were astonished to find themselves among their own faithful followers.

Today, a well-maintained path leads visitors to the cave, with trees growing along the way. Along the trail, stone piles—seven in number, matching the sleepers—mark the route.

Above the path looms a cliff that casts a shadow resembling an animal—undoubtedly the loyal Getmir himself.

Beyond this, the gorge narrows, reminiscent of the winding alleys of ancient towns, culminating in a massive pile of boulders. Yet, behind these stones, structures emerge, and to the left, stone steps ascend.

Upon passing beneath the rocks, visitors encounter a cluster of buildings. One houses the very meteorite that served as the sleepers’ celestial alarm clock.

Nearby, a small courtyard contains an open-air mosque. Above it, the cliff’s steep face reveals the cave’s mouth. Within its walls, one can discern indentations resembling the impressions of seven bodies—marks left after 300 years of stone deformation.

The gorge, and the site itself, is breathtakingly beautiful and awe-inspiring—a must-see destination for anyone visiting Nakhchivan.