Rigareh underground watermill
The ancient Rigareh–a qanat-based water mill–is located
in the Mohammadieh neighborhood.
The age of this engineering masterpiece is unknown; however, some historians
believe that it dates back to the pre-Islamic era.
The water is supplied by
the “Keykhosrow” qanat channel.
The mill is placed almost 28 meters underground. The access corridor to the mill is about 133 meters. A qanat channel crosses 9 meters above the mill and fills the huge 9-meter water tank. When enough pressure is provided, the water is released and rotates the turbine.
The waste water flows out the channel and joins the main qanat channel with a gradual slope 12 meters farther.
Since the advent of electricity to grind the wheat and barley, this water mill has become a part of history. The mill is closed most of the time, except Noruz (the Persian New Year holiday). But, visits can be arranged through me.