TEHRAN--In the heart of Khuzestan province, stands the city of Dezful, whose history is told through bricks; from 2,000-year-old Sassanid bridge to the revived Shavadan (an underground space in the dept of 5-12 meters).

Dezful, the heir to ancient civilizations, is trying to preserve its glorious past not in museums but in the course of daily life by restoring bridges, reviving historical houses, and returning life to the old texture.

According to Shabestan news agency, ‘Dezful’, a metropolis sitting on the banks of the ‘Dez’ River, is a city where brick is not just a building material; it is identity, memory, and the narrative of thousands of years of civilization. 

The historical texture of this city, with an area of ??about 250 hectares and encompassing 28 neighborhoods, is a unique collection of buildings, many of which date back to the Safavid and Qajar periods. 

A city that was nominated for the title of ‘The World's Best Brick City’ by UNESCO in 1975, and its brick history extends to the Elamite ziggurat ‘Tchogha Zanbil’, 24 kilometers southwest of Dezful; a building that itself is a testament to the antiquity of the art of brickmaking in this land. 

Dezful is the heir to great civilizations such as Elam, Assyria, Achaemenid and Sassanid, and today one of the most prominent symbols of this heritage is its historic Sassanid bridge; a bridge that still stands on the shoulders of history.

Head of Dezful Cultural Heritage Department Hamidreza Khadem said that the Sassanid bridge of Dezful has been restored several times, the latest of which was conducted last year. 

Pointing to the antiquity of 2,000 years of the bridge, he said that the bridge was one of the linking routes of the region. It was built upon the order of Sassanid King Shapur I after victory over Romans.  The bridge has been restored during Daylamite, Saffarid, and Qajar eras. 

Regarding damages incurred to Dezful historical texture, he said that problems in access routes and removing some walls have damaged the neighboring houses in recent years. “Therefore, our policy is to do the restoration and revival simultaneously.”

Monuments such as Dezful Jameh Mosque are directly restored by Cultural Heritage Department to preserve the historical texture, he pointed out. 
He pointed to revival of Suzangar and Firoozmand houses which have returned to the activity with contribution of private sector. 

Lack of water and wastewater network has been one of the main challenges facing Dezful historical texture, putting double pressure on Shavadans and causing moisture in the monuments.

He said: “The majority of ancient homes have one Shavadan. We encouraged the owners to convert them into traditional restaurants, cultural centers, and small museums. The goal is to preserve the authenticity of the building.”

KD