Mirfattah Yakhchal

Mirfattah Yakhchal (ice house) is one of the most outstanding and unique historic monuments in Malayer County, Hamadan Province. It dates from the Qajar era and is regarded as a symbol of the traditional architecture of Iranian ice houses. The yakhchal stands on 15 Khordad Boulevard in Malayer and is known by this name after its builder, Mirfattah. The structure was built of sturdy brick and adobe, and its exterior had been coated with white clay to absorb less heat and keep the cold inside. It is registered on Iran's National Heritage List and is considered one of the lesser-known historic attractions of the province.

The structure of Mirfattah Yakhchal was built of brick with a dome-shaped design. The building was about 12 metres high from the floor to the top of the dome, and 4 metres from ground level to the ice storage area. Mirfattah Yakhchal had two separate entrances: one in the form of a vestibule for loading and unloading the ice, and the other for visitors or the workers who filled the ice pit to come and go. These entrances led by stairways to the bottom of the ice pit and the place where ice was taken out, which reflects the complex technical mechanism of using cold in the past. The considerable thickness of the building's domed walls in various sections meant that the ice and cold water inside the structure melted very slowly. However, on 12 Farvardin 1398 (1 April 2019), this valuable building collapsed after heavy rainfall and water seeping into its adobe walls, and its upper part was completely destroyed. After the incident, the Hamadan Provincial Cultural Heritage Organization put documentation and reconstruction of the building on its agenda. Finally, at the beginning of 1403 (spring 2024), the reconstruction of the yakhchal was completed; however, its new architecture differs from the original design, and the rebuilt dome is designed to look more like the domes of mosques.

To reach Mirfattah Yakhchal, simply enter 15 Khordad Boulevard from the city of Malayer and follow the local signposts until you arrive at this traditional monument. The best time to visit this historic building is spring and summer, when the weather outside is warmer and you can better appreciate its traditional cooling architecture. During your visit, it is important to follow the principles of protecting historic monuments and responsible nature tourism, such as not touching the structure unnecessarily and not leaving litter behind, so that this historic relic is preserved for future generations.