Nushabad
Nushabad is a historical city covering an area of 170 hectares, located in the vicinity of Aran va Bidgol County, approximately 8 kilometers north of the city. Kashk-e Rood (Sook Cheshm), the largest dry river of Kashan, extends from the east of Nushabad towards the Salt Lake. Nushabad has a hot and dry climate, with temperatures reaching up to 40 degrees Celsius or higher in summer. The city has a population of around twelve thousand people, but due to frequent droughts and resulting migrations, its population has sometimes faced decline.
Origin of the Name Nushabad
Hassan ibn Muhammad Qomi, in his book “History of Qom,” mentions the origin of the name Nushabad: They named this village “Anushabad” because one of the Sasanian kings (possibly Akasreh) passed through the area and stopped beside a spring that existed there. He found the spring and the place pleasant and ordered a village to be built there, naming it Anushabad.
History of the Underground City of Nushabad
The underground city of Nushabad, known as the largest underground city in the world, has a unique military and defensive structure. It was built during the Sassanian era and was used in various historical periods including the Seljuk, Safavid, and even Qajar periods.
Discovery of the Underground City of Nushabad
The underground city of Nushabad was discovered for the first time in 2002 when a resident of Nushabad was digging a well in the courtyard of their house and encountered the architectural structure of this underground city. Subsequently, with the necessary permits, this site was excavated by archaeologists. Archaeologists estimate that the area of this underground city extends up to 15,000 square meters. Nushabad’s underground city is one of the largest handmade structures by humans in ancient times.
The architecture of Nushabad’s underground city
This site is one of the valuable historical monuments identified in Nushabad. The exact extent of this historical site, which starts from a depth of four meters below street level and extends to a depth of sixteen meters, is not precisely known, but based on available evidence, it has expanded beyond the historical walls of the city. So far, three floors of this underground city have been discovered, interconnected through vertical shafts with depths ranging from five to seven meters. Archaeological investigations indicate that the length of the corridors in this underground city is approximately four kilometers. This historical site was registered as one of the national treasures of Nushabad on August 8, 2006.
Ventilation System of Nushabad’s Underground City
The ventilation system of Nushabad’s underground city operated through channels located on the first floor of this building. Related shafts in the upper floors facilitated the airflow towards the lower floors.
In the underground city of Nushabad, illumination was provided using oil lamps made from clay saucers. The required oil for these lamps was obtained from distilleries present in Nushabad.
Shafts in Nushabad’s Underground City
During times when people sought refuge in this structure, one person from the group would light the lamps, while another would extinguish the last ones. This was done to ensure that only group members had access to the sheltered area.
Some walls and rooms in this underground city contain small shafts (chahaks) that may be difficult to access.
Access Route to Nushabad’s Underground City
To enter this unique underground city, you first need to travel to Kashan. From Kashan, head towards Aran va Bidgol, and after covering a distance of 5 kilometers from Kashan, you will reach the sign indicating Nushabad. Upon arrival in Nushabad, you can access the underground city by walking.
Visiting Conditions of Nushabad’s Underground City
Visiting this fascinating underground city is possible every day from 9 AM to 7 PM. Visitors are required to pay an entrance fee to access this site.
