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All Iran Nushabad Nushabad Underground City

Nushabad Underground City

A 1,500-year-old, 3-story subterranean city where ancient Persians took refuge in times of war.

Nushabad, Iran

Added By
Shervin Abdolhamidi
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The entrance to the underground city   Shervin / Atlas Obscura User
Tunnels of the Underground City   Shervin / Atlas Obscura User
Nushabad underground city   Alireza Tajfar/CC BY-SA 4.0
Nushabad, the tunnels under the city   Franco Pecchio/CC BY 2.0
Nushabad Underground City   vasilisapremudra / Atlas Obscura User
Nushabad Underground City   vasilisapremudra / Atlas Obscura User
Nushabad Underground City   vasilisapremudra / Atlas Obscura User
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About

Just north of Kashan, in the small town of Nushabad, Iran (also spelled Noosh Abad), lies a sprawling underground city. Despite its impressive scale, the ancient buried shelter was completely unknown until a decade ago, when an oblivious resident stumbled upon a tunnel while digging a sewage ditch in his home.

What was discovered was an extensive, 1,500-year-old underground city, set between 3 to 18 meters (10 to 60 feet) deep. The labyrinthine network was comprised of three stories of tunnels, chambers, air ducts, staircases, canals, and booby traps. It's considered a marvel of ancient architecture and engineering.

Construction of this man-made subterranean city, called Ouee (or Ouyi), dates back to the Sasanian (or Neo-Persian) Empire that ruled from 224 to 651. Inhabitants would dig underground chambers as hideout spots for women, children, and the elderly in the event of an attack by foreign invaders.

Over the years, the individual chambers were amalgamated, and air ducts, water pipes, storage spaces, and toilets were all built—creating a sustainable underground city that was used as a refuge during times of war. Each family had their own room of sorts, with a tunnel running down the length of these rooms, similar to a hotel hallway. 

Related Tags

Subterranean Subterranean Sites Tunnels Underground Bunkers War History Ancient Architecture Engineering Military

Know Before You Go

Parts of the underground city are open to tourists year round. From Kashan, you will need to take a cab and simply ask the driver to take you to the underground city.

Community Contributors

Added By

Shervin

Edited By

Meg, vasilisapremudra

  • Meg
  • vasilisapremudra

Published

October 31, 2017

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  • http://rooziato.com/139514381/%DA%AF%D8%B2%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%B4-%D8%AC%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A8-%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%B2%DB%8C%D8%A7%D8%AA%D9%88-%D8%B4%D9%87%D8%B1-%D8%B2%D9%85%DB%8C%D9%86%DB%8C-%D9%86%D9%88%D8%B4/
Nushabad Underground City
کوچه شهید مائلیان
Nushabad
Iran
34.08002, 51.437497
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Nearby Places

Bazaar of Kashan

Kashan, Iran

miles away

Fatemeh Maasoume Shrine

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miles away

Deir-e Gachin Caravanserai

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miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Iran

Iran

Middle East

Places 52
Stories 17

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Bazaar of Kashan

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miles away

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Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Iran

Iran

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Places 52
Stories 17

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