Yazd Water Museum
Renowned for its subterranean aqueducts, known as qanats, the Yazd Water Museum is a captivating testament to the ingenuity behind the creation and maintenance of a perfect Persian water system within the arid landscapes of Iran over the centuries.
History
Established in 2000 within a charming historic residence, the Yazd Water Museum serves as a poignant reminder of the value of water in desert regions. A truly distinctive museum, it boasts a 2000-year-old qanat, symbolizing the pivotal role water has played amidst the desert’s expanse.
Description
What sets this museum apart is the presence of a centuries-old qanat that runs through its corridors. This particular qanat, a mainstay of the city, has quenched Yazd’s thirst for generations. Nestled within the enchanting confines of the Historic City of Yazd, the Water Museum – housed within the Kolahduz house, a splendid five-story structure from the Qajar era – offers a vivid portrayal of the city’s water history. On its subterranean third floor, visitors can explore the intricate water tunnels of two key qanats. Notably, one of these qanats, the Zarch qanat, enjoys a prestigious place on the UNESCO World Heritage list. This remarkable aqueduct, still operational after two millennia, stretches an impressive 75 kilometers, irrigating farmlands and supplying water to urban centers.
The mansion boasts additional treasures. Its upper floor features a subterranean, octagonal room situated 10 meters below ground level. With a consistently cool temperature of around 14 degrees Celsius, this room once functioned as a food storage area. The flowing water from the qanat in its pool contributed to its refreshing ambiance. The story continues with numerous rooms and corridors above the octagonal chamber, designed to provide respite during scorching summers. The ground floor houses beautifully adorned rooms and a kitchen, while the final floor accommodates a wheel mechanism for lifting water. A fascinating glimpse into the past comes in the form of a water pipe dating back 150 years.
A diverse collection within the museum showcases a wealth of historical artifacts related to qanats and water, including excavation tools and devices for estimating water volume. Additionally, photographs and illustrations unveil the hidden world of subterranean qanats. The Persian qanat stands as a remarkable feat of water management, ingeniously distributing water across Iran’s parched landscapes and cities like Yazd, ensuring their survival against the odds. This intricate network of underground tunnels harnesses gravity to guide water across vast distances.
Visiting Hours
The Yazd Water Museum extends a warm welcome to visitors between 8:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., as well as from 3:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., inviting them to delve into the rich tapestry of water history that has shaped Yazd.
