TEHRAN – Restoration of Asadabad cistern, believed to be the largest of its kind in Iran, has been 85 percent completed, making it ready to be toured by visitors, governor of Asadabad has said.

“Restoration of the country’s largest Ab Anbar (cistern), which is located in Asadabad, [Hamedan province], is 85 percent complete and goes through the final stage. It will be inaugurated and put into operation in the next [Iranian calendar] year,” ISNA quoted Karim Hamidvand as saying on Sunday.

The monument, named “Ab Anbar-e Sheikh Ali Khan-e Safavi”, dates from the Safavid era (1501–1736) and is located in the city’s main bazaar, the report said, adding that the cistern is 18 steps down from the ground, in a depth of six meters. 

The main tank of the cistern measures 20 by 15 meters. It used to supply water to the city and some nearby agricultural lands.

Such underground reservoirs or ab-anbars are parts of the iconic qanat systems, which rely on snow fed streams flowing down from surrounding mountains.

Qanats, according to the UNESCO, provide exceptional testimony to cultural traditions and civilizations in desert areas with an arid climate.

AFM/MQ/MG