Step back in time at Meybod Yakhchal, an architectural marvel that embodies both creativity and practicality. This ancient ice house reveals how the Persians skillfully adapted to the challenges of life in the desert centuries ago.
Dating back to the Safavid era, Meybod Yakhchal boasts a history spanning over 400 years. Recently restored to its original grandeur, it remains a proud testament to Iranian ingenuity and environmental adaptation in one of the world’s most arid climates.
The word yakhchal literally means “ice pit.” Ingeniously designed to produce and preserve ice during the winter for use in the scorching summer months, it demonstrates the exceptional skill of Persian architects and engineers.
Located near the Meybod Caravanserai and Post House, the structure stands 12 meters high and 5 meters deep, made entirely of mudbrick with walls nearly 2 meters thick. Its dome-shaped roof, which tapers toward the top, helps regulate internal temperature.
During winter, qanat water was directed into shallow ponds where it froze overnight. The ice was then transferred into the pit below the dome and insulated with straw and thick walls to prevent melting. A ventilation shaft at the dome’s apex allowed hot air to escape, while a drainage system prevented meltwater accumulation.
This system reflects the brilliance of ancient Persian architecture, balancing sustainability, simplicity, and efficiency. Few such structures remain today, making Meybod Yakhchal a rare and valuable survivor of Iran’s historic cooling technologies.
For further reading on Persian ice houses and their ingenious design, see “Persian Ice Towers” on Archaeology Now.
Meybod Yakhchal is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
A visit to this site offers a captivating journey through Persian engineering and heritage, where history and science meet in the heart of the desert.
