WANA (Dec 13) – Among Iran’s many architectural marvels, water reservoirs, or Ab-Anbars, stand out as ingenious solutions to water storage in the country’s arid and semi-arid regions. If you have traveled to Iran’s warmer areas, you have likely encountered these remarkable structures and wondered about their purpose and design.

 

In ancient Iran, Ab-Anbars were vital for collecting and preserving clean drinking water in regions with diverse climates—from hot and dry deserts to cold mountainous areas. These underground cisterns featured sophisticated cooling and water quality systems, reflecting the advanced engineering and hygienic practices of their time.

 

Anatomy of an Ab-Anbar

1. Cistern or Khazineh

The khazineh is the primary chamber for water storage, constructed underground to withstand high pressure. Builders often reinforced the base with lead sheets to enhance durability. While cylindrical shapes were most common, cubic designs were also used.

 

2. Pashir

The Pashir is a part of the cistern connected to the reservoir, where a large brass tap was installed for drawing water. The structure of the Pashir was usually rectangular or semi-octagonal, sometimes featuring seating platforms or special decorations. In some cisterns, water was drawn step by step instead of using staircases.

 

3. Sardar (Entrance)

The Sardar, or entrance, leads to the water reservoir’s deep staircase. Typically adorned with inscriptions about the builder or benefactor, these entrances were often decorated with intricate tilework and provided shaded seating on either side.

4. Inlets and Outlets

Water entered the cistern through inlets, and outlets directed excess water to fields or deserts, preventing it from overflowing.

 

5. Dome

The dome protected the water from contaminants, heat, and evaporation. These domes, often hemispherical or conical in shape, added both function and beauty to the structure.

 

6. Windcatchers (Badgirs)

The numbering between one and six windcatchers was crucial for ventilating and cooling the water. Their efficiency in maintaining a cold environment made them as effective as modern refrigeration.

The water stored in Ab-Anbar was typically supplied by channeling it from distant sources, often through mountainous terrains, to the desired locations. In remote areas or between cities, rainwater was also collected to fill the reservoirs. In arid and semi-arid regions where rainfall was scarce, water was mainly sourced through qanats (underground water channels). Before being stored in the reservoirs, the water was filtered using sand basins in a completely traditional manner and then directed into the main reservoir.

 

Hygiene Measures in Traditional Ab-Anbars

In the past, maintaining hygiene in Ab-Anbars was of great importance. Water was pre-filtered using sand basins before entering the reservoirs. To remove sludge, special openings were incorporated into the design, allowing the sediment to be cleared manually with tools like ropes and pulley systems operated by human labor.

 

To disinfect the water, lime and salt were used, creating a protective layer on the surface. Charcoal was employed to eliminate odors, bricks helped settle impurities, and fish were introduced to control bacterial growth.

 

Materials and Structure of Ab-Anbars

Ab-Anbars were constructed using bricks and traditional mortars such as shofta and sarooj (a blend of lime and clay). Lemon-colored bricks were specifically used for the interior walls, while sarooj was applied for its high durability and insulating properties, helping to maintain the water’s temperature and quality.

 

Types of Ab-Anbars

  1. Domestic: Built for private use in affluent households, often featuring windcatchers.
  2. Public: Located in cities for communal access.
  3. Rural: Simple structures in villages with minimal decoration.
  4. Roadside: Serving travelers and caravans, sometimes with attached rest areas.
  5. Desert: Constructed to provide water for livestock and wildlife.
  6. Mountainous: Carved into rocks or beneath mountains.
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Connection Between Religious Beliefs and Ab-Anbars

The construction of ab-Anbars in Iran had deep roots in religious beliefs. Providing water to quench the thirst of travelers and dedicating Ab-Anbars in cities or along caravanserai routes was a practice inspired by the memory of Ashura, considered a religious and virtuous act. Muslims typically oriented the water dispensers (pashir) towards the Qibla, but in Yazd, Zoroastrians also participated in building Ab-Anbars and would sometimes create a pashir facing the Qibla as a sign of respect for Muslims.

This connection between religious beliefs and the significance of water led to Ab-Anbars becoming symbols of charity and sustainable culture in Iran.

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Notable Ab-Anbars in Iran

  1. Ab-Anbar of Jenok, Yazd
    Dating back to 878 AH , this is one of Yazd’s oldest reservoirs, located behind the city’s Grand Mosque. Known for its eerie ambiance and historical significance, the structure includes a circular cistern and a dual-sided windcatcher. However, this architectural gem is in urgent need of restoration due to its location in Yazd’s historic district.
  2. Seven-Windcatcher Ab-Anbar, Asrabad
    Built during the Qajar era, this reservoir features two interconnected cisterns and seven four-sided windcatchers, making it one of the most iconic examples of its kind. Commissioned by Jahangir Rostam Yazdi, a Zoroastrian philanthropist, it was strategically located along the Hasanabad qanat. The reservoir has two pashirs: one for Zoroastrians and another for Muslims, separated by a brick partition.
  3. Traditional Ab-Anbar of Kish
    Constructed in 1993 on the site of an older reservoir, this structure mimics the design of Yazd’s reservoirs. Known as the “Twin Dome Ab-Anbar” for its two domes and five windcatchers, it was built to address water shortages on the island. Its unique design continues to attract visitors.