Noushabad Underground City

The Noushabad Underground City, also known as the "Ouyi City" (Shahr-e Ouyi), lies beneath the historic fabric of the town of Noushabad in Aran and Bidgol County, Isfahan Province. This ancient complex is about 1,500 years old and dates back to the Sasanian era. It is regarded as one of the largest and most complex underground cities in the world. On 8 Mordad 1385 (Solar Hijri), Noushabad was inscribed on Iran's National Heritage List under registration number 15816.

The underground city was built on three levels, at depths of 4.5 to 21 metres below the surface. Its structure includes winding corridors, small and large rooms, wells and channels, all linked together in a network. The complex had numerous entrances, which connected secretly to the underground city from inside houses, water reservoirs and other places. This clever design was meant to shelter the inhabitants from enemy attacks and harsh climatic conditions.

The best time to visit the Noushabad Underground City is spring and autumn. In these seasons, the region's mild and pleasant weather makes a visit to this historic site even more enjoyable. In spring, you can also take advantage of the rose water festival in Kashan, which takes place at the same time. To visit the Noushabad Underground City, Entrance No. 2, on Imam Khomeini Street, Shahid Maelian Alley, is open all year round and is easier to reach. Visiting hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the first half of the year and from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. in the second half. Entrance fees range from 10,000 to 65,000 tomans for Iranian visitors and go up to 100,000 tomans for foreign tourists. A visit to the Noushabad Underground City offers a unique experience of Iran's history, architecture and culture for anyone interested in ancient sites.