SUBTERRANEAN CITY

This underground complex was completely restored some twenty years ago, unfortunately with a kitschy vision of history: small waterfalls, bridges and zany lighting finally create an atmosphere closer to China than Iran and will serve more Iranians in search of holiday recreation than travellers seeking to perfect their knowledge of Iran. But once you pass this screen, you can linger on the walls dug into the rock where hundreds of fossils can be seen, while the canal system designed to collect and keep rainwater cool is surprisingly modern. Kich is indeed completely without a water source and survival on the island depends only on rain and the ability of humans to store and conserve it. In this complex, built 5,000 years ago almost 15 metres underground, the water was naturally filtered to make it drinkable. The whole complex having been discovered and unearthed by German archaeologists, a small exhibition concludes the tour and gives an insight into the nature of the buildings before they were restored. The explanations are not duplicated and only German speakers can detail the exhibition panels. A small tea house has been built around the abyss where rainwater is collected and where you can take a break and enjoy a certain freshness.