Located in the heart of Yazd, Iran, the Yazd Water Museum showcases the city’s remarkable history of water management. Set in a beautiful Qajar-era mansion, the museum offers a fascinating look at how the people of Yazd have conserved and distributed water in their dry environment for centuries.
The main feature is the ancient “qanat” (aqueduct) system, a network of underground channels that brought water from faraway sources to the city. Through its exhibits, the museum highlights the importance of these innovative techniques and their role in sustaining life in Yazd. Whether you’re interested in history, or engineering, or just curious about how people have dealt with water scarcity, the Yazd Water Museum provides a unique and educational experience.
Images of Yazd Museum Water
What Can You See in the Yazd Museum Water?
- Basement (Sardab or Zirzamin): Many old houses in Yazd, including this mansion, have underground rooms that stay cool during the scorching summers. These basements were used for storage or as living spaces.
- Wind Towers (Badgirs): The mansion features traditional windcatchers, tall structures that direct cool breezes into the living spaces, effectively cooling the underground rooms.
- Water Reservoirs (Ab Anbar): The mansion includes traditional water reservoirs that securely stored water from qanats, ensuring a constant supply during dry periods.
- Qanat: There are two qanats running beneath the house at different levels, cooling the basement quarters. These ancient underground channels transported water from distant sources, and you can access them through a special stairway called Payab.
Yazd Museum Water Floors And Sections
The Yazd Water Museum has four distinct levels, each with its own unique features and historical significance. All levels are accessible to the public through a stairway called Payab. Here’s a detailed look at each floor:
Level 1 (-3 Floor)
The lowest floor of the museum is fascinating because it has two branches of the Rahim Abad and Zarch qanats (aqueducts) passing underneath it. The Zarch aqueduct is particularly notable, as it spans 75 km and is over 2,000 years old, still functioning today. This level showcases the ingenuity of ancient water management systems.
Level 2 (-2 Floor)
Located 10 meters below ground, the second level serves as the storage space. This area is where the qanat water reaches the ground, known as Payab. The chamber has a heptagonal shape with a blue basin in the center where water passes through. The constant cool temperature of this level made it an ideal place for storing food. In the past, food items were placed on wooden boards and hung from the ceiling to keep them fresh.
Level 3 (-1 Floor)
The third level is the basement, situated just below the ground floor rooms and surrounding the courtyard. This floor consists of numerous rooms and corridors and was primarily used for living during the hot summer months due to its lower temperature. Each room in the basement was designated for a specific person, giving the residents their own private spaces.
Level 4 (Ground Floor)
The ground floor is the main residence of the historical house, featuring various rooms such as the sash room, the five-door room, the corridor room, the wind room, and the hall. This level was where Haj Seyyed Ali Akbar Kolahdoz and his family, including his wife, children, daughters-in-law, and servants, lived. It reflects the traditional living arrangements and social structure of the time.
Is Yazd Museum Water Open for Visits?
Yes, the Yazd Water Museum is open for visits, offering tours of its exhibits on traditional Persian architecture and ancient water management systems.
Restaurants Near Yazd Museum Water
The restaurants near Yazd Water Museum offer diverse culinary experiences, blending traditional flavors with unique settings, perfect for enhancing your visit. To dive deeper into the best Persian food that captures the essence of Iran’s cuisine, explore our must-try guide.
Karizma Café and Restaurant
Experience a delightful range of local dishes like kaleh josh or delicious pizzas with a beautiful view of the Jameh Mosque at this restaurant.
Karizma café and restaurant, housed in a charming Qajar-era building, captivates visitors with its traditional Persian architecture. Inside, you’ll find traditional paintings, wooden chairs, books, and pottery on display. Enjoy your meal on the rooftop’s traditional benches while soaking in the stunning views.
The menu offers a variety of delicious options including pizza, special burgers, different kinds of pasta, and traditional dishes like eshkeneh and kaleh josh. You can also enjoy a selection of cold and hot drinks, desserts, and unique cakes. The café is just a five-minute walk from Alexander’s Prison and the historical area of Yazd.
Baz Cafe
Baz Cafe is a cozy spot perfect for quiet, intimate meetings or solitary moments. Located in a basement away from the city’s noise, it provides a dark, tranquil environment ideal for enjoying a hot cup of coffee or a meal. Though it may not be suited for large celebrations, it’s an excellent choice for a memorable evening with a few friends or a special anniversary. The café can also be beautifully decorated with flowers and candles for special occasions.
Ebrahimi Traditional Restaurant
Near Khan Bath, Ebrahimi Traditional Restaurant offers a nostalgic experience in a building that predates the Pahlavi era. This traditional eatery, set in a historic home, provides a sense of traveling back in time while enjoying delicious food and warm hospitality.
The menu features a wide variety of traditional dishes and refreshing drinks, as well as desserts and coffee. Visitors can relax in the outdoor space with palm trees and a pool, savoring a cup of tea in a serene environment.
Sini Sara Shahmardan
Sini Sara Shahmardan is one of Yazd’s most popular restaurants, attracting both local and international visitors. The restaurant’s decor creates the feeling of being in a historic place, highlighted by a spectacular ceiling that exemplifies traditional Iranian architecture.
Unique to this restaurant, food is served on intricately carved trays rather than plates, reminiscent of ancient royal dining. The spacious restaurant is ideal for families and groups, located near the Dad and Leili va Majnoon traditional hotels and within walking distance of the historic Atashkadeh Varhram Fire Temple.
Where Can You Stay Near Yazd Museum Water
The best hotels near Yazd Water Museum allow you to enjoy the city’s most attractive landmarks with minimum walking distance. Here are some of the top hotels around Yazd Water Museum:
Mehr Traditional Hotel
This hotel is housed in the historic and adobe building known as the House of Zargar Yazdi, dating back to the Qajar era. As the first large traditional hotel in Yazd, it features two courtyards (the main courtyard and the orangery), tall windcatchers, a large hall, a functional and beautiful sardab (basement), a vestibule, colorful stained glass windows, wooden doors, and a rooftop with a stunning view of the historic city.
The hotel is a registered historical site in Iran and has received a UNESCO honor award, making it the first and only Iranian hotel to do so. Located near the historic Amir Chakhmaq Square, Ghiam Street, and major shopping centers like the Zargarha Bazaar, Khan Bazaar, Panjali Bazaar, and Shahzadeh Fazel Bazaar, Mehr Traditional Hotel offers a perfect blend of historic charm and modern convenience.
Khesht Abad Eco-lodge
Khesht Abad Eco-lodge is a charming, traditional house located in the old district of Yazd. Upon entering the courtyard, guests will find a small blue pool surrounded by large, lush trees. Scattered around the courtyard are old pottery and traditional wooden benches for guests to sit and relax. The tea house offers complimentary traditional Iranian herbal teas, and the restaurant serves a variety of traditional dishes to satisfy all tastes. The lounge area features old, traditional objects and offers a cozy place for guests to enjoy tea and watch TV.
Malek-o Tojjar Hotel
The Antique Malek-o Tojjar Hotel, the first adobe hotel in the world, began its operations in 1999 and was renovated in 2014 to enhance service quality. The house originally belonged to Haj Ali Askar Shirazi, a prominent Yazdi merchant, and is located near the Khan Bazaar and Khan Square.
The hotel features various sections, including a hexagonal vestibule, winter and summer quarters, a Shah Neshin (royal sitting room), a large pool, and underground corridors connecting different parts of the building. Some rooms, like the Narenjestan mansion, are adorned with paintings, some of which are embellished with gold leaf.
Is there any guided tour of Yazd Museum Water?
There are a variety of guided tours that allow visitors to explore Yazd’s rich cultural heritage, historical sites, and unique architectural marvels.
At Iran Amaze, we offer guided and tailor-made tours in Yazd. You can customize your own experience through our Tailor Made section, where you can specify your interests and preferences. Alternatively, you can visit our Iran Tour Packages page to see which tours include the Yazd Water Museum as part of the itinerary. Our knowledgeable guides provide in-depth insights into the history and significance of each site, ensuring a memorable and enriching experience.
Yazd Museum Water Information
The Yazd Water Museum is located in the heart of the historic city of Yazd, Iran. Here is the contact information:
Address: Yazd Water Museum, Imam Khomeini 14 Alley, Qiam Street, Yazd, Iran
Phone Number: +98 035 3626 8340
Conclusion
The Yazd Water Museum offers a fascinating insight into how the people of Yazd historically managed water in their arid environment. It’s more than just a collection of artifacts; it’s a window into the ingenuity and resourcefulness of the city’s residents throughout history. By exploring the museum, visitors gain a deeper understanding of Yazd’s past while also reflecting on the importance of responsible water usage in today’s world.
