Moayedi Yakhdan

The Moayedi Yakhdan (ice house) stands in the city of Kerman, in the Moayedi neighbourhood on Shahid Kamyab Street (Abu Hamed). It takes its name from the Moayedi qanat, which supplied the water for the structure. Built in the late Safavid period, this historic building is now counted among Iran's national monuments, thanks to its distinctive architecture and its function as a large ice store in the desert region of Kerman.

The architecture of the Moayedi Yakhdan consists of several main parts: a tall enclosure wall, a central reservoir, an ice-transfer corridor and an ice store. It was built of raw mud brick and mud mortar, which acted as thermal insulation. The conical roof and the tall shade-casting walls were designed to receive as little direct sunlight as possible and to keep the air inside the structure cool. In the past, water from the Moayedi qanat was channelled into the yakhdan's pool, where ice formed overnight; it was then stored and used during the hot months of the year.

To reach the Moayedi Yakhdan, head from the centre of Kerman towards the Moayedi neighbourhood and Shahid Kamyab Street; local signposts will also guide you to the historic building. The best time to visit is from spring to early autumn, when the weather is mild and visibility is better. Responsible visiting means not entering closed-off areas, not touching the mud bricks, keeping a safe distance from the tall walls and not leaving litter on the site, so that this valuable monument is preserved for future generations.