Shushtar Historical Hydraulic System

Described by UNESCO as a masterpiece of creative genius, the Shushtar Historical Hydraulic System is regarded as one of Iran's most attractive historical sites and forms an important part of their cultural heritage. With a breathtaking architectural design and engineering system, it is made up of two main canals on the river Karun. The Gargar canal still provides water to the city of Shushtar through some tunnels that supply water to the mills. 

The Shushtar Historical Hydraulic System exhibits excellent workmanship and it still has that effectiveness till date. It dates back to the 5th century B.C around the time of Darius, the great, the Achaemenian king of Iran. The internationally-recognized Shushtar system is a homogeneous hydraulic system, described as being rich in its engineering system and outstanding in its building with the number of functions it provides including water supply to the mills, irrigation, river transport, and also a defensive system. The ancient waterfalls that form part of the Shushtar Historical Hydraulic System were constructed so as to protect the Mizan Dam. Another dyke was constructed in the same year to prevent the destruction of the Mizan dam. The Koohrang Tunnel was also constructed as a part of the system to help with water transfer from the Karoon to the Zayandeh Rood River. The attraction is one of the most important places in Shustar has had the flow of the waterfalls reduced since the Shahid Abbaspour Dam was constructed but this hasn't in any way diminished the value that the waterfalls bring.

The industrial site is worth every visit and it says a lot about the history of ancient Persia. You will be stunned at how they built a water engineering system with their natural resources. Seeing the Lashkar Bridge-Dam which is located close to one of the six magnificent historical gates of Shustar and still has some remains of the gate is a must for visitors or the Kolah Farangi. This houses the remains of an octagonal tower alongside the Shatit canal with the 32 water mills and the many spectacular water cascades that dates back to the Sassanid period. The amazing ancient water treatment system used in Shushtar historical hydraulic system is a very rare sight that can't be found anywhere else. You can also be one of the visitors touring this wonderfully-made masterpiece.