| December 3, 2003
More (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) 
More (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8)
Kariz is the English pronunciation for kah-riz or ghanat (underground
water). This amazing place has existed in Kish Island for
the past 3,000 years. People of Kish used the wells for
access to sweet water for drinking and normal usage.
The
wells were connected via underground tunnels to the next. The
tunnels, sometimes 10 meters in diameter, went from one end of
the island to another covering a distance of approximately 17
kilometers. Kish rulers used to used these tunnel to escape
from pirates that attacked the island quite often.
In 1995 two Kish entrepreneurs decided to transfiorm this
phenomenon into a traditional mall -- bazaar, recreational
and entertainment center. The
bazaar will have between 50-80 stores (ghorf-e) dedicated to Iranian
handicrafts from 26 Iranian provincess and the rest will be available
to other countries to present their goods.
The tunnels
will be filled with sea water and small boat will take tourists
from one end of the island to the other via the narrow, open and
underground route. The
walls of the bazaar are decorated with ancient designs. One section
will have Shahnameh characters drawn on walls with a
person telling the story in 4 languages (Persian,
English, German
and French).
The bazaar is currently open to the public but has not started
operating due to tourist restrictions currently imposed on Kish.
Enjoy the pictures. >>> (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8)
Mehdi Ghamei
* Send
this page to your friends
Who's your Iranian of the day?
Send us
photo
|
