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All about Qanat in Iran

Actually, ancient Persia used a unique system for irrigation water for more than two millennia, which consisted of uncommon horizontal wells. Besides, this system called Qanat and it is for sure one of the attractions you may like to visit when you travel to Iran. This is why our Iran travel agency is going to introduce you this amazing and breathtaking system. So read this article by Iran Destination, Iran tour operator, and you’ll get all you need.

What is the Qanat system?

Qanat is actually an underground channel, with a mild slope, that transfers water from an aquifer to the surface of the ground for drinking and irrigation. Besides, this water supply system consists of a deep well, together with vertical access shafts. Also, those who live in hot and arid climates and also in semi-arid ones, can use this system. Moreover, you may be shocked to know that there are some Qanats in Iran which are still in use by people; they are located in Gonabad city.

Qanat system and structure

Qanat system and structure

Who invented the Qanat?

Iranians have invented Qanat technology 3000 years ago. This engineering masterpiece developed by Persian people, and its rich history made it to register on UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 2016.

Why were Qanats important?

In addition, qanats were important because they determined where people could live. The quality of water, and its volume and regularity contribute to the value of the qanat. In arid areas of Iran, the population greatly depended on the possibility of qanats. So, building qanats was so expensive, why would Iranians do it? Qanats had such long-term value for the society that was worth building.

Qanat in ancient Persia

Why were Qanats important?

How does a Qanat look like?

If you look at the qanat system from the above, you’ll see a series of holes pierced in the surface of dry desert. Also, by going down these pits for a hundred feet, there is a narrow tunnel which carries water from an aquifer to the villages and farms. These villages couldn’t be possible without the qanats.

The vertical shafts underground connected by a tunnel with gentle slope. And without any pump  needed, there comes a large amount of water to the surface. The water drains by gravity. By these qanats, the water transported through a long distance, in hot dry climates, and the least amount of water evaporated.

Besides, the duct should have enough space for those who work to build the qanat, so that they can move and dig in it. Moreover , how  the oxygen supplied for these workers? The vertical shafts have two functions: removing the excavated material and supplying the oxygen. We call the first well as the Mother Well, this is the deepest well of all. In Iran, the deepest mother well in a qanat  found in Gonabad city, which is 300m.

Qanat in Iran (UNESCO)

Qanat in Iran (UNESCO)

How many Qanats are in Iran?

Today, 120,000 Qanats are documented in Iran, among which about 37,000 are still in use in Persia, and among all, 11 qanats are inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list as “The Persian Qanat”.

Do you like to know the most amazing and famous Qanats in Iran? Follow our Iran Tour Operator and read below.

The historical city of Yazd which registered on UNESCO, is the city of Qanat. In addition, there are so many Qanats in this region, the most famous of which is Zarech. Zarech is the longest qanat in the world, its tunnel extends to 100km and it dates back to 3000 years ago.

Also, another old qanat in Iran which is surprisingly still in use is located in Gonabad. This qanat dates back to 2700 years ago and now provides water for 40000 people in the region. The mother well in this qanat is 360 meters deep and 45 kilometers long.

Zarech Qanat in Yazd

Zarech Qanat in Yazd

There are also other qanats in Isfahan, Kerman, and Khorasan provinces and also other desert areas of Iran. Iran Destination, Iran travel agency, can help you discover any place you like in Iran, let it be qanats or any other attractions. Just take a look at our Iran tour packages and if you decided to travel to Iran, we’re all ears to hear your dreams and then make them true. So do not hesitate to contact us. Our Iran travel agent is always ready to answer you.

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