23rd Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Travel
The Hardworking Horse

Captured in the ancient village of Kang, near Mashhad, Iran. With a history spanning over 3,000 years, Kang is a "stepped village" where rooftops serve as streets for the houses above. Due to the steep, narrow stairways, modern vehicles cannot access these alleys. On a cold, foggy morning, a resident guides his horse down the slippery stone steps to transport bricks for construction. This scene documents a way of life that has remained largely unchanged for centuries, relying on animal strength to navigate the rugged terrain.

Photo Detail
Date Uploaded: 11.2025
Photo Location: Mashhad, Iran
Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Copyright: © Seyyed Mostafa Yousefi