The title of the largest industrial complex before the Industrial Revolution is a description that Madame Diolafova has made of astonishing structures he saw in Shushtar in his travelogue. It would not be an exaggeration to consider the water structures of Shushtar Historical Hydraulic System as one of the wonders of the ancient world. This collection has such greatness and wonder that by seeing it, you will realize the genius of its creators.
Shushtar Historical Hydraulic System show the high knowledge of the ancient Iranians in hydraulic engineering
The builders of Shushtar Historical Hydraulic System have had a lot of genius and technical knowledge in the field of hydraulic engineering and have managed and used water resources correctly and in principle. They by constructing various water structures, diversion and transfer of water of Karun River. They have used water quite cleverly and used it for drinking, irrigating agricultural and industrial lands.
Shushtar Historical Hydraulic System is old
Although it is possible that the foundation stone of Shushtar Historical Hydraulic System was laid during the Achaemenid period, this amazing complex dates back to the Sassanid era and its builder is attributed to kings such as Ardashir I and Shapur; But in general, this collection has been completed over time and in different periods, and sections have been added to it. According to documents in the Qajar era, repairs and reconstruction have been done in this work.
Application of Shushtar Historical Hydraulic System
Each of the Shushtar Historical Hydraulic System has its own function and application, that in connection with each other, form an interconnected complex. In the construction and architecture of Shushtar structures, materials such as stone, brick and mortar have been used. These structures once prospered industry and agriculture and played an important role in transportation, communications, and commerce.
Shushtar Historical Hydraulic System supplied water equally to the entire city and prevented the eruption of the Karun River.They also create cool air that sends water to people’s homes through the Shavadons, that in Shushtar dialect refers to cellars and basements. In addition, agricultural lands were irrigated and mill cycles were used to produce wheat flour.
Shushtar Historical Hydraulic System are one of the spectacular and extraordinary attractions of Khuzestan province and one of the most important and valuable sights of Shushtar. This industrial-economic complex is located near the historical context of Shushtar and you can easily visit it.
Different parts of Shushtar Historical Hydraulic System
The Shushtar complex of water structures includes various sections such as bridges, dams, mills, waterfalls, canals, Sika (a place for rest and recreation) and huge water conduction tunnels. Over time, many components of Shushtar Historical Hydraulic System have been destroyed by floods and other factors, and among what remains, a number of them, called the historic Shushtar water system, have been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List under 1315. July 25 is the anniversary of the registration of Shushtar Historical Hydraulic System, that in 2009 was recognized as the tenth world monument of Iran. In the following, you will become more familiar with the registered works of Shushtar Historical Hydraulic System.
Rate paragraph
Band Mizan is also known as Qaisar, Shapuri, Dolat Shah, Taraz, Khaqan and Mohammad Ali Shah. This dam causes the water of Karun River to split in two and divides it into two branches, Shatit and Gargar. Because the water distributed in the Shatit River is twice the volume of water divided into the Gargar River, the Gargar River is called Dodangeh or Masraqan and the Shatit River is called Chahardangeh.
This dam has been constructed to measure the flowing water of Gargar and Shatit rivers; that is why it is called Mizan Dam, which is made in the form of a circle with carved stone and mortar at the beginning of Gargar River and at the end of which there is a pergola tower. This dam consists of several openings, the most important of which is a separate opening that regulates the water of the two tributaries of the river; in such a way that if Dubai Gargar is more than one third, it transfers it to Shatit branch and vice versa; this is one of the architectural masterpieces of this section.
Pergola Tower
The pergola is an octagonal tower overlooking the Mizan Dam, that is located on a pedestal four meters above the ground. At present, seven meters are left from its height and carved stones have been worked on its facade. There are several theories about the time of construction and use of Shushtar Pergola Tower; some believe that this tower was the watchtower of the Roman emperor or Sassanid Shapur and the place of monitoring the work of the workers; but some believe the tower was used to monitor the amount and intensity of river flow.
You can see the pergola tower in 17 Shahrivar Square of Shushtar at the end of the boulevard.
River Garghand Dastkand Gargar
The Gargar River, that flows north of Shushtar, is one of the tributaries of the Karun River, that is separated by the Mizan Dam. This river was artificially created by the order of Ardashir, the Sassanid king. The bottom of the river is paved and they are connected with metal fasteners to prevent the bed from deepening.
The river flows through the city and provides the water needed for canals and tunnels. The wolf then joins the Shatit branch at the site of the bitumen dam, which flows into the Karun River along the Dez River.
Gargar Bridge
Gargar Dam Bridge, along with three diversion tunnels called Shahr, Seh Oreh and Biliti, are located at the bottom of Mizan Dam and above the mills. This bridge, that keeps the water level, was built on the rock and tunnels were dug inside the rock, that were responsible for providing the water needed to turn the mill wheel. Even now, with the failure of the mills, this water flows out of the tunnels like a waterfall.
Collection of waterfalls and water mills
Shushtar waterfalls and water mills include a series of tunnels, canals, water mills and dams. The function of this complex is such that as the Gargar River rises through the dam, water is directed into three tunnels and from there it is divided into several canals and after crossing the created paths and turning the mills, they fall into the ponds as spectacular waterfalls. Currently, many mills in Shushtar have been destroyed and are out of order, and only the Reza Golab mill is still working.
You can see the waterfalls and water mills of Shushtar in the south of Gargar Bridge, Shariati Street.
Ayar Tower Bridge and Sabein Shrine
The Ayar Tower Bridge is built below the waterfalls and on the Gargar River, that used to be located in the garden and the water of that bridge was supplied from the ticket tunnel. To the east of this section, the remains of canals and chambers can be seen. In the Safavid and Qajar eras, this area was used as a place of worship for the Saebis.
This dam is located near the tomb of Imam Ali in the slaughterhouse bridge and in front of the two neighborhoods of Dakan Shams and Dakan Sheikh.
The band of fishermen or the band of God
Mahbazan Dam or Khodaafarin Dam, between Gargar and Daryoun rivers, is located in an area called Mahibazan, that is the city of the ancient Dastwa. This dam consists of a solid rock and in the middle of it; there are three walls that are the passage of water.
Castle of Salasel
Salasel Castle or the ancient fortress of Shushtar is the oldest part of the water structures of Shushtar that is dated to the Achaemenid period. In addition to having a defensive role for the city, this castle has been used to control the water of Daryoun creek. In the past, the series consisted of sections such as nave, barracks, tower, tin house, barn, fence and moat; but at present, nothing is left of this magnificent building except a few underground chambers and the tunnels of Darius.
Nahr Darion
Daryoun stream or Daryoun canal is separated from Shatit River and its water is used to irrigate the agricultural lands of Minab plain, supply drinking water to the city and provide access to Salasel fort. After leaving the bedrock of Qala-e-Salasel, this creek goes south for a distance and passes through the west of Shushtar, and then divides into two branches in the north of Lashkar Dam Bridge. The canal dates back to the Achaemenid and Darius eras.
Shadruvan Bridge
Shadruvan Bridge in Shushtar Historical Hydraulic System
Shadruvan is one of the famous bridges in the country, the story of which is mentioned in the Shahnameh, and Ferdowsi says that a person named Branush, who was one of the soldiers of the Roman defeat army in the war with Sassanid Shapur, was commissioned to build it. This bridge, which is made of brick, stone and mortar, is located in the Shatit branch. Remains of several mills can be seen next to this bridge.
You can see Shadruvan Dam near Azadegan Bridge, 300 meters south of Mizan Dam, northwest of Shushtar.
Soil band
Another dam of Shushtar complex of water structures is Khak dam, which is located outside the western fence of the city on Daryoun creek and 500 above Lashgar dam bridge. This dam raised the water level several meters and led to the gardens through several canals. This dam, which was probably created during the Sassanid era, was restored during the Qajar period.
Lashkar Bridge
After Mizan Dam, Lashkar Bridge is the healthiest water structure in this complex and in its construction, like other structures, bricks; stones and mortar have been used. This bridge has played an important role in the connection between Shushtar and the southern villages and connected Shushtar to the city of Asgar Mukarram and is considered one of the important gates of Shushtar. On the south side of Lashgar Bridge Bridge, there are the remains of three mills and at the end of its northern side, there is a Chartaghi rock.
Visit Lashkar Bridge outside the gate of Lashkar Shushtar and next to the tomb of Imamzadeh Abdullah.
Wine Bridge
The wine bridge is located in the south of Shushtar, on the Daryoun creek, and is made of stone and mortar. This bridge established the road connecting the military fortress of Khorram with the north of Dariun River and its antiquity is attributed to the Parthian period.
Other parts of Shushtar Historical Hydraulic System
Stairs: In the south of the area of mills and waterfalls, a hand-built stone staircase has been constructed, which has more than 200 steps and has connected the area of waterfalls to residential areas overlooking the complex. In the path of this staircase, rooms have been installed where the guards of water structures are located.
Sika: At the western end of the waterfall area, Sika is located, that can be reached through a few steps.
Dokhtar Dam: About three kilometers north of Shushtar, where the generous Karun River enters the plain from the mountains, the riverbed reaches its lowest width. A girl dam was built in this place during the Sassanid period. It was named because of its proximity to Dokhtar Castle.
Dara Dam: This dam was built in Mianab area and on Gargar River.
Shah Ali Bridge: It is located on Daryoun River in the south of Shushtar and in the west of Imamzadeh Abdullah
What has been the use of Shushtar Historical Hydraulic System?
Shushtar Historical Hydraulic System delivered water equally to the entire city and prevented the eruption of the Karun River. They also create cool air and send water to people’s homes through the Shavadons (crypts and basements in the Shushtari dialect). In addition, agricultural lands were irrigated and mill cycles were used to produce wheat flour.
