Howzli Ghala

The dormant volcano of Sabalan, or Savalan, stretches 60 km long in east-west up to the mountains of Ghushdagh Haris.
In the west end of the mountain range, lies a village named Esmail Kandi.
The village extends south to the villages of Tupraghli and Jangal, northwest to the village of Ghanghal lu, and southwest to the village of Ghomli.
Esmail Kandi is 16 km from the city of Haris.
10 km from the city of Haris lies the historical village of Khanghah.
From there stretches a dirt road towards Inche Kandi , 3-way of Yaghli, or Sonaji, and another dirt road leads from Khanghah to Yeylagh Yaghli.
Mountain climbers and nature lovers can take 1.5 km on the asphalt Khanghah-High road through the axis of High-Okuz Daghi and reach Yeylagh Alan. From there they can reach the 3-way of Yaghli through the path of Alan Yurdi.
These roads intersect on the 3-way of Yaghli.
You can go east through this 3-way and after passing through the village of Ghomli and the ever-flowing and roaring river of Shirrun, you can get into the village of Esmail Kandi.
An amazing spot
The castle called Ghizil Li Cheshmeh, or Ghusha Howz Lar or even Mis Li Ghalasi which was recognized in the region before the Islamic revolution,has been called Howz Li Ghala for the last two decades.
High stone hills with steep walls almost near vertical line would take you back to many years ago right in the first sight.
Howzli Castle ,covering an area of over 15 hectares, consists of residential areas, cemetery, watchtowers, and citadel. The mysteriously buried castle is considered one of the largest and most extensive historic castles in East Azerbaijan.
It seems that the only way to enter the castle lies in the end of the southwest side near the river. The dug corridor on the body of the mountain with 38 stairs which were exposed to wind and rain and made erosion approves this.
From this point on the castle overlooks a roaring river, where you can get water for washing up and other activities and it can be carried to the castle.
The country of Madan Ali is the best spot for grazing the herd and supplying food for troopers.
If you move from the village of Tupraghli, you'll experience natural paths like pointed rocks which are difficult to pass. They acted like a defending strong wall for the residents of the castle.
The part of the citadel which is located in the southeast of Esmail Kandi, is 300 m above its slope.
Unfortunately, 30 years ago the great historic treasure of the place was plundered after its illegal excavation.
On four sides of the citadel there are the remains of other castles as well which make one thing clear: the solid and firm military castles in the site served as the commanders headquarters, and a room for storing documents and treasures.
The castle dates from the first half of the first millennium BC. Of course, the works from the 6th and 7th centuries AH are also seen in the site.
Streams, small ponds, and stairs
In addition to the holes made on the body of rocks there are streams and currents which are created as a result of precipitation and lead the rainfalls, hailstones, and even dew to the small ponds.
A firm evidence to it is the entirely geometrical little pond dug on the body of rocks right on the edge of precipice in the citadel environment.
It is 3 m deep with the length and width of 2.5 and 2 m respectively.
The dug stairs on the stone body of the mountain which go up to the small pond are in the direction of west and north. They lead up to the upper level of the rock, where there is a dug pipe.
Apparently, the rainfalls are directed to this site and from there they flow down to the pond where water is stored.
In addition to the waterfalls which make the ancient site more charming during rain seasons, the springs,too, add to the importance of the castle to quench the thirst of residents.
The castle of Howzli was recorded on the national list in 1385, numbered 16364.