Just north of Kashan, the Nushabad Underground City is a remarkable feat of ancient Persian engineering—an expansive subterranean refuge carved deep beneath the earth, designed to protect its people from both heat and harm.
Believed to date back to the Sassanid era (3rd to 7th century CE), this labyrinthine complex once served as a crucial refuge during times of war and invasion. Its role became especially vital during the Mongol Invasion of the 13th century, when many residents sought safety in its hidden corridors. After centuries of service, the city was abandoned in the early 20th century and remained forgotten until its accidental rediscovery by a resident in the early 2000s.
Description
Located just 8 kilometers north of Kashan, the underground city of Nushabad extends across three levels, ranging from 4 to 8 meters below the surface. Originally constructed to escape the region’s intense summer heat, it later evolved into a strategic defensive shelter.
The city features multiple access points, some of which were cleverly integrated into ordinary residential buildings. Its design showcases numerous security innovations: hidden corridors, camouflaged vertical traps, and narrow, winding tunnels to confuse invaders. Fresh water was sourced from a nearby spring, and a system of ventilation shafts ensured continuous airflow, making life underground sustainable for extended periods.
Today, visitors can marvel at the ingenuity of ancient Persian architecture and explore the eerie yet fascinating tunnels once used for survival.
Visiting Hours
The Nushabad Underground City is open to visitors daily from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Step into this ancient subterranean world to witness a true marvel of defensive architecture—one that continues to amaze and inspire.
Step beneath the surface and discover the brilliance of ancient Persian defense at Nushabad Underground City—a hidden world that once saved lives.
For more on this ancient refuge, visit the Wikipedia page on Nushabad Underground City.
