Water history in Iran: Qanats behind expansion of the Achaemenid Empire

TEHRAN—An expert on qanat (an ancient underground water network) who has conducted extensive studies on the remaining qanats of Iran believes that the great emperors of Iran during Achaemenid and Sassanid eras were indebted to the Iranians' aqueducts and hydrological knowledge, ILNA wrote.

Locals revive tradition of cherishing ancient qanats with flowers and rosewater

TEHRAN - After more than five decades of silence, the people of Bam in southeastern Iran have revived an ancient tradition honoring qanats – the man-made subterranean aqueducts that sustained life in this arid region for centuries.

By Seyedhossein Hosseiniseddiq

A relic of Karizi civilization

This is a photo of a carbide lamp. A lamp that was linked to our great and ancient civilization, which was founded on Karizs (or aqueducts, a way that is dug underground to direct underground water to the surface of the earth).

Title deed awarded to Yazd’s oldest qanat worker

TEHRAN – The first cadastral title deed for the oldest and longest qanat in the world has been issued to Gholamreza Sardari-Zarchi, the eldest qanat worker in Yazd province.

UNESCO-listed Qasabeh Qanat hosts inbound tourists

TEHRAN – Gonabad’s historical Qasabeh Qanat, a UNESCO World Heritage site, has welcomed a group of overseas tourists.

Qanats in Kish Island made national heritage

TEHRAN - In a move to preserve the rich historical heritage of Kish Island, three centuries-old qanats have been officially registered as national treasures.

Inclusive plan devised to safeguard Yazd’s historical heritage

TEHRAN – In an effort to preserve and protect the historical core of Yazd, registered as a UNESCO World Heritage, a comprehensive monitoring plan has been devised to ensure the conservation of its cultural heritage elements, especially during the influx of New Persian Year.

Minister visits Gonabad, underlines tourism opportunities

TEHRAN – On Saturday, Ezzatollah Zarghami, the Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts, paid a visit to the ancient city of Gonabad, which is renowned for its UNESCO-recognized qanat system, thought to have been built between 700 and 500 BC.

3000-year-old qanat to emerge as Iran's newest tourist appeal

TEHRAN - Efforts are underway to revive the ancient marvel of Qanat-e Zarch, a 3000-year-old subterranean aqueduct stretched in central Iran, as part of a move to enhance tourism prospects in the region.

15 qanats, enduring heritage of Iranians listed by UNESCO, under restoration

TEHRAN – Restoration work has commenced on 15 Persian qanats, ancient subterranean aqueduct systems for supplying water, which is listed as World Heritage by UNESCO since 2016.

Yazd celebrates sixth anniversary of its UNESCO registration

TEHRAN – A ceremony to commemorate the sixth anniversary of Yazd’s listing on the UNESCO World Heritage list was attended by hundreds of people on Saturday evening, including local officials, experts in cultural heritage, artists, travel insiders, and craftspeople.

Meeting to discuss Persian qanats as precious heritage

TEHRAN – A host of cultural heritage experts, architects, and travel insiders have been invited to exchange views on Persian qanats at a meeting that will be held in the city of Mahan in Kerman province on Saturday.

‘World’s longest qanat’ being prepared for public visit

TEHRAN –The recently-restored Qanat of Zarch, known as the world’s longest subterranean aqueduct in central Yazd province is being prepared for the public visit, the provincial tourism chief has said. 

Ancient qanats in Ilam to be brought back to life

TEHRAN– On Monday, Ilam’s tourism chief publicized a cultural heritage project aimed to restore some ancient qanats stretched in the western Iranian province.

Ancient watermills emerging destinations in Meybod

TEHRAN — On the edge of a harsh desert in central Iran lies the ancient city of Meybod, where underground water mills have long operated.

Restoration works begin on Safavid cistern

TEHRAN—Restoration work has commenced on a traditional mud-brick cistern, which is located in Sarayan county in South Khorasan province, northeastern Iran.

Iranian academics, European fellows to look at ways of preserving Persian qanats

TEHRAN—A panel of experts and academics from the University of Tehran and the University of Montpellier will be exploring ways to help preserve the millennia-old Persian qanat system.

Historical cistern in central Iran restored

TEHRAN—A restoration work has come to an end on a Qajar-era (1789-1925) Ab-Anbar (cistern), which is located in the city of Bafq, the central province of Yazd, Bafq’s tourism chief has said.

Dredging operation to aid UNESCO-registered garden

TEHRAN—A dredging operation has recently commenced removing mud from the centuries-old channels that pour water into the UNESCO-designated Shazdeh Garden in southern Iran.

European city to replicate ancient Iranian technology against heatwave

TEHRAN–Scorching heat has hit many European cities this summer. To lower average temperatures, engineers in Spain’s Seville have come up with a way to replicate the ancient technology of the qanats, which Iranians created more than 1,000 years ago.

Ilkhanid earthenware, qanat remnants unexpectedly discovered

TEHRAN – Workers have accidentally discovered pottery pieces and remnants of a subterranean aqueduct (qanat) while digging a hole, breaking street asphalt in a northeaster Iranian city.