Yazd, known as the city of windcatchers and the second living historical city in the world, boasts a rich and fruitful history alongside its ancient culture and unique desert nature. Every year, thousands of tourists from across Iran and the globe visit to explore its attractions. The city is filled with historical and archaeological sites, each magnificent and awe-inspiring in its own right. Now, we aim to introduce a captivating museum known as the Water Museum of Yazd. This museum is one of the best water-themed museums in Iran and the world, showcasing thousands of years of water history in Iran. If you are passionate about exploring museums and gaining insightful information about your country’s past, join us in this article from Eligasht to fully familiarize yourself with this fascinating museum in Yazd. We will provide all the necessary information for your visit so you can enjoy your trip to the fullest.
The Water Museum of Yazd is the most important museum in the city, shining like a valuable treasure in a historic house known as the “Kolahdoozha.” This historic house, with its beautiful ancient architecture, is located on Qiam Street in Yazd, north of Amir Chakhmaq Square, and stands out for those interested in museum visits and travelers in Yazd.
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Information Gained from This Museum
At this museum, you will encounter historical artifacts and structures that were used in the past to obtain water. What sets this museum apart from other water museums in Iran and the world is a qanat (an underground aqueduct) that dates back several hundred years and runs through it. This qanat once provided drinking water for the local people, holding great value and importance for the residents of Yazd.
History of the Water Museum of Yazd
The historical Water Museum of Yazd was established in the year 1226 in the Islamic calendar (approximately 1807 AD). This building belonged to a person named Haji Seyed Ali Akbar Kolahdooz and his family. Later, in 1379 (2000 AD), coinciding with the first international qanat conference, this historic building was transformed into a museum to showcase the high value and importance of water in desert regions, allowing the public to visit and enhance their knowledge about this essential resource.
Kolahdoozha House
One of the most valuable and fascinating historical houses in Yazd, significant both historically and in terms of the importance of water, is the Kolahdoozha House. The construction of this beautiful and prestigious building began in 1226 at the request of the late Haji Seyed Ali Akbar Kolahdooz, a prominent merchant of the Qajar era in central Iran. The construction took about three years and was completed in 1269. The Kolahdoozha House is currently owned by the Yazd Regional Water Company and has been designated as the Water Museum of Yazd. Visiting this historic house and its remarkable museum is open to the general public.
Different Sections of the Kolahdoozha House
The Kolahdoozha House spans over 720 square meters and consists of five levels. Below is an explanation of each level and its functions.
Level 1: Basement Level -3
The first level is the lowest floor of the house. Two qanats, Rahimabad and Zarach, pass through this level. Interestingly, the large and ancient Zarach qanat is 75 kilometers long, has a history of 2,000 years, and is still active, captivating viewers with its beauty.
Level 2: Basement Level -2
The second level is located 10 meters below ground and served as a water collection and storage area. This space is known as a “payab,” where the qanat water reaches the surface. The payab in this beautiful historic house is hexagonal, featuring a central blue pool through which qanat water flows. In the past, residents washed their dishes and clothes in this area, making it quite functional.
It’s interesting to note that the temperature at this level remains constant throughout the year, providing a cool atmosphere! Therefore, it was used for storing food items. The method of food storage here is quite fascinating: food would be placed on a wooden platform and then suspended from the ceiling. The cool temperature in this area was primarily due to the qanat water flowing through it. Although there is no longer qanat water flowing at this level, the temperature remains lower than that of the surrounding environment, allowing it to maintain its function as a natural refrigerator.
Level 3: The Summer Residence
The third level of the Kolahdoozha House houses the basement, with multiple rooms and corridors located beneath the ground-floor rooms surrounding the courtyard. Residents often occupied this level during the hot summer days due to its cooler temperature compared to the upper floors. Each basement room belonged to a specific individual, and every resident had their own personal room, similar to those on the upper floors.
Level 4: Ground Floor
The current Water Museum of Yazd occupies the fourth level, which was the ground floor of the Kolahdoozha House. This level included various sections, such as the “Arsi” room, the “Panj-Dari” room, corridor rooms, a windcatcher room, a hall, and more. This section served as the main residence for the inhabitants of the Kolahdoozha House, where they spent most of their time throughout the year. In the past, Haji Seyed Ali Akbar Kolahdooz, along with his wife, children, daughters-in-law, and servants, all lived in this area. We will discuss the rooms on the fourth level further, highlighting some interesting details.
Owrsi Room on the Fourth Level
The Owrsi room, characterized by windows that opened from the bottom upwards, was used as a bridal chamber during the weddings of the children and also served as a guest room. Below the Arsi room, there is another room in the basement, which was once used for storing jars, pickles, and vinegar.
Panj-Dari Room on the Ground Floor
The Panj-Dari room of the Water Museum of Yazd served as the living quarters for the house staff and their sewing area. Beneath the Panj-Dari room, in the basement, there is a large room that was used as a dining area for the household during the hot summer days.
Corridor Room on the Main Level of the Kolahdoozha House
Adjacent to the Panj-Dari room, there is a large room with striking and beautiful decorations, which once served as the personal room of Haji Seyed Ali Akbar Kolahdooz. The beauty of this room is attributed to its original owner. After his death, the corridor room belonged to his wife, who took ownership of this luxurious space.
Windcatcher Room on the Fourth Level of the Kolahdoozha House
On the opposite side of the Panj-Dari room, there is another room that originally featured a windcatcher, hence its name, the Windcatcher Room. This room was the residence of Mr. Kolahdooz’s daughter.
Hall of the Kolahdooz House on the Ground Floor
The hall of this house is a very spacious area with a high, arched ceiling. In the beautiful Yazdi dialect, this place is referred to as “Khonak Jay,” meaning a cool place for rest during the hot summer days.
Note: Each of these rooms has a storage area. Additionally, all rooms in this house feature a small space known as the “Balakhaneh,” where valuable items were stored, making it a unique characteristic of this renowned and beloved house in Yazd.
Fifth Level: Rooftop of the Kolahdoozha House, Known as the Well House
The current fifth level of the Water Museum of Yazd was the rooftop of the Kolahdoozha House, known as the Well House. This level housed a well and a well wheel. In the past, water from the “Chah-e Chehel Gaz” well was used for drinking, washing, sanitation, and many other purposes through this well and its wheel.
Interestingly, during that time, two individuals were responsible for drawing water from a qanat known as the Rahimabad qanat, lifting it up, and then pouring it into a reservoir for easy access by the household members on the ground floor.
This system bears a striking resemblance to modern water supply systems, with the distinction that the Kolahdoozha House had such a system about 150 years ago, catering to the comfort of its residents!
In the historical Water Museum in the beautiful city of Yazd, over 200 various historical objects related to water are displayed for visitors. We will provide further details about these artifacts and items.
Specialized Tools Used for Digging Qanats
As you may know, qanats are among the most significant historical structures of Iranians, recognized and admired worldwide. It’s interesting to note that the name “qanat” is listed among UNESCO World Heritage sites.
The Water Museum of Yazd showcases various tools and equipment used for digging qanats, including special picks for digging, well wheels, clothing for qanat workers, instruments for measuring water volume, lighting tools used during qanat excavation, and many other tools. There is also a panel that illustrates the flow of water in qanats. Additionally, the museum features statues depicting different individuals engaged in their responsibilities related to qanats.
Among these statues are representations of qanat workers (known as “Moqani”), who were responsible for digging qanats. A noteworthy detail that attracts visitors’ attention is that their work clothing was white. The reason behind this choice of color was to ensure visibility in the dark, expansive qanat tunnels, allowing them to recognize each other. Some compared the workers’ clothing to shrouds, as they faced the constant threat of collapse while digging.
Another significant artifact in this museum is the well wheel, which was one of the most important tools for digging wells. Alongside the well wheel, there is also a statue of a well digger, adding authenticity and character to the museum.
Water Distribution Tools
Other artifacts available in the Water Museum of Yazd include documents related to the buying and selling of water, as well as ancient waqf deeds from the time of the Kolahdoozha House. The register of water distribution and the Mirab books are among the most unique and interesting items in this section. “Mirab” literally means the chief or emir of water. This term referred to individuals in the past who distributed qanat water among various people. Mirabs used a device known as a water clock to calculate the time for water delivery to each person. Interestingly, this museum houses the world’s oldest water clock, which is over 700 years old and is one of the most valuable artifacts in the Water Museum of Yazd.
Other documents in this museum include marriage certificates that designated water as a dowry, as at that time, water was as valuable as gold! There are also records indicating that some benefactors donated portions of water shares to widows and orphans.
Historical Vessels and Tools
Since there was no water plumbing in the past, people had to transport water from the main source to their places of use. Additionally, most houses had designated areas for storing water.
The Water Museum of Yazd preserves many historical vessels and tools used for storing and transporting water, which could be fascinating for visitors. These include tools for various water extraction taps from cisterns, clay and glass containers specifically designed for carrying and storing water, a collection of water-skins, and many others. The museum also features a several-thousand-year-old mashrabiya, which is mentioned in very old historical texts.
Another valuable artifact on display is a glass vessel with side tubes. This double-walled glass container was used in ancient times for cooling and purifying water. Water was poured into it, and snow was placed on top. Gradually, the snow melted, resulting in cool, fresh, and clean water flowing out through the side tubes for use.
Attractions Near the Water Museum of Yazd
Surrounding the Water Museum of Yazd, there are other tourist attractions to enjoy in the historic city of Yazd, including Amir Chakhmaq Square, Imamzadeh Shahzadeh Fazel, Khan Bazaar, Panjeh Ali Bazaar, the clock tower of the Jameh Mosque of Yazd, the historic Hashemabad House, and many other sites in the city.
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How to Access the Water Museum of Yazd
Address: Yazd Province, Yazd City, Imam Street, north of Amir Chakhmaq Square, Qiam Street.
To reach the Water Museum of Yazd, you can use the buses on the Quran Gate – Martyrs Terminal route toward this tourist attraction. Alternatively, you can take the buses on the Basteh Intersection – Railway route, get off at the Martyrs Intersection, and walk a bit to reach the museum.
Visiting Hours: From 08:00 to 19:00 (the museum is closed from 14:30 to 15:30).
Final words
The Water Museum of Yazd is an awesome nod to the deep history and cultural importance of water management in Iran, especially in the dry areas of Yazd. With its cool exhibits like ancient qanat systems, old documents, and unique artifacts, the museum gives visitors a great look at the clever ways our ancestors figured out how to collect and share water. the Water Museum of Yazd is definitely worth a visit. It highlights how crucial water is in our lives and reminds us why we need to take care of this valuable resource for the future.