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 |