Kashan - An Oasis in the Desert
Kashan is a beautiful and historical city in the Isfahan province. It is surrounded by desert but this city is truly an oasis of history and architecture, along the Qom-Karman road. The city of Kashan is famous for it’s carpet industry but it has many historical houses like Borujerdi House, Tabatabei House, Abasiyan House and Amiri House.
Once, in the city it is hard to miss the baadgeers (wind towers) and mud houses. The wind flows in the tower and when it reaches its’ bottom, most of the time water is stored there, thus cooling the wind and then this wind circulates in the house.
Nowadays most of the houses have modern air con units but historical houses have well preserved wind towers. People have learnt how to live side by side with the nature in this desert city and many of the houses had rooms in the basements.
Kashan was used as a holiday spot by the Safavids of Isfahan in the past. Piruz Nahavandi (also known as Abu Lulu), who killed Caliph Omar Khattab is also buried in Kashan. The building is now police station and access isn’t allowed.
Very close to the city also lies the ruins of an ancient city of Sialk Hill which dates back to the 3rd millennium BC. The earthquake of 1778 leveled the city but people of Kashan started life once again with more energy and enthusiasm.
