Noushabad Underground City

Noushabad Underground City: An Ancient Refuge Beneath Iran

• Noushabad Underground City: An Ancient Refuge Beneath Iran
• History of Noushabad Underground City
• Architectural features of Noushabad
• Sightseeing near Noushabad Underground City

Although Noushabad was only discovered in 2004, archaeologists estimate that its origins date back 1,500 years, to the pre-Islamic era of the Sassanian dynasty. According to local legend, one of the Sassanian kings, while passing through the area, stopped to drink water from a spring and found it exceptionally pure and cool. Impressed, he ordered the construction of a city around the spring to ensure a continuous supply of fresh water and named it Anushabad, which eventually evolved into Noushabad. Located in Iran's central desert region, Noushabad experiences extreme weather conditions, with intense heat during the day and significant drops in temperature at night.

History of Noushabad Underground City

The historical city of Noushabad, with an area of 170 hectares, is part of the counties of Aran and Bidgol, located 8 kilometers north of Kashan. The oldest source in which Noushabad is mentioned is the book Al-Alaaq Al-Nafisa by Ibn Rustah in 290 AH. He mentions Noushabad as one of the settlements between Rey and Isfahan. Regarding the name and origin of the city of Noushabad, Hassan ibn Muhammad Qomi wrote in his book History of Qom in 378 AH: "Anushabad: This Diyah was named because one of the Akasara passed through that area, landed at the spring that is there, and found that spring and the location pleasant. He said, so they built a Diyah there and named it Anushabad." The underground city of Nooshabad, known locally as Ooi, was built for defense purposes and is 1,400 years old, under the urban fabric of Nooshabad at a depth of 4 to 27 meters underground. Based on archaeological excavations, 3 floors of this city have been discovered so far. Only 2,000 square meters of it have been restored and prepared for inspection.

Architectural features of Noushabad

Today, only a portion of the tunnel system in Noushabad is accessible to visitors. The tunnels are periodically flooded, as evidenced by the two-tone colouring on the walls, which marks the flood level. Even a brief descent to the first level of the underground city provides a glimpse into the remarkable complexity of this ancient engineering marvel. The tunnels and passageways originally dug around the well were likely intended to provide shelter from the scorching desert sun during the hot summer months. Additionally, they appear to have served a strategic purpose, enabling residents to move between different parts of the city while avoiding potential enemies.

Regarded as a masterpiece of Sassanian architecture, the underground city was constructed across three levels, ranging from 4 to 18 metres below ground. It featured ingenious defensive mechanisms, including winding corridors and camouflaged pits covered with rocks, designed to trap and ambush hostile intruders. These tunnels proved especially effective as emergency shelters during the Mongol invasion in the 13th century, with multiple entrances to the underground sections, some discreetly located within city houses. Ventilation shafts ensured a breathable environment for extended stays underground, while a spring supplied fresh water. The tunnels were eventually abandoned and remained hidden until the 1920s, when they were rediscovered during the digging of a well in a house.

Sightseeing near Noushabad Underground City

You can visit Agha Bozorg Mosque located 15.5 km from Noushabad Underground City, or you can visit Naqsh-e Jahan Square in Isfahan, located 210 Km from Noushabad Underground City.