Iranian Islands of Persian Gulf (10)

Kish Island's underground water canal (Qanat) is one of the historical and tourist attraction sites of this island, which dates back to over 2500 years ago.

This qanat is a highly attractive site at the heart of one of the most beautiful islands of the Persian Gulf region. The ceiling of this qanat is covered with sea shells and corals. So, let's pack up and head for the Persian Gulf waters and the Island of Kish. This underground water canal is otherwise known as the underground city of Kish Island.

Qanats are the invention of Iranians, which date back to ancient times. Despite the growth of modern technologies, qanats still play a vital role for people in many warm and dry regions of Iran. Qanats usually originate from altitudes.

Kish Island qanat dates back to ancient times and has probably been constructed in the Parthian era. Its length stands at 15 kilometers. It is one of the main sources of drinking water for the regional people. Kish Qanat's water is completely fresh and transparent, given that it passes through different sedimentation layers and corals, which purify water. Furthermore, the main source of water for this qanat is the rainfalls which grants this water its freshness. In the past, the residents of Kish Island used this qanat's water as drinking water and for irrigation of their farmlands, while also partly selling the remaining water to ships, belonging to the Persian Gulf southern littoral states, such as United Arab Emirates and Oman.

This qanat maintained 274 wells, out of which 74 wells are currently used. Some of these wells have remained completely intact and some of them have been transformed into the shape of cones for the sake of better air ventilation and improved lightening. The average depth of this qanat is 12 meters, while even reaching 16 meters at some parts. Moreover, this qanat is located roughly 8 meters above the sea level.

The regional people could access the wells' water with the usage of a buckets and ropes. However, the best approach in this regard was to use the stairway to Qanat. One of these ancient stairways to qanat, dating back to 800 years ago, has remained to this day.

Moreover, the remains of fossils of aquatics, belonging to nearly 570 million years ago, are evident in this qanat.

Meanwhile, one may imagine that the water in this qanat is dormant. However, there is a very slow movement of water current in this qanat.

The temperature in the tunnels of this qanat vary from 22 to 25 degrees Celsius, while its humidity surges in the summer and humid seasons of the year. Its ceiling's altitude is eight meters and the majority of this ceiling is covered with fossils, sea shells, and corals. The personnel, who look after this underground city belief that two features of this qanat led to its inclusion among globally distinguished buildings. Firstly, this qanat is situated at the heart of a coral island; and secondly it is the only building whose ceiling is covered with sea shells and natural corals. Currently, this qanat has unfolded a fresh and exceptional chapter for the eco-tourists, who are keen to personally visit this qanat.

Note that this qanat was not initially in the form of a historical, underground city; and was in fact a network of underground water canals which were dug and guided by Iranians. However, within the related project, efforts were made to transform this underground network of fresh, drinkable water via excavation of the ground and design of mobile systems. Thus, it was later referred to as the underground city. The route of this qanat only shows the path of movement of water current, and its water is not as pure as it was in the ancient times, because the air current and surrounding environment of the excavated parts impact qanat's water current.

Within Kish underground city there is a large museum, at which the results of experiments of German experts from the city of Munich on the qanat's fossils are maintained. Different types of fossils have been specified with their scientific names and terms, and are on public display. One of these fossils belongs to a turtle, which is remained from 570 million years ago.

In addition to data on these fossils, there is comprehensive information about the Persian Gulf region and Island of Kish such as its culture, geography and history, water sources, and climate, in this museum. The operations for construction of this underground city begun as of September 1999. The existing water canals were widened and a number of excavations were carried out, transforming this ancient qanat into an underground city.

Within the cultural-touristic complex of Kish Underground City, one can visit the traditional market, which displays a collection of the valuable works of the regional artists. Also, other facilities such as a restaurant and tea shop are available in this qanat. Plans have also been made to construct an Iranian orchard in this complex, within which different Iranian ethnicities with their local garments and music will be introduced. Also, plans are underway to construct a move theater, two castles, and a hotel in this underground city.
(MR/EA)