Ancient Persian Refrigerator - Yakhchal

Vaulted yakhchall in Arbakooh-Yazd, Iran

Yakhchal in Persian literally means "ice pit", it is an adobe reservoir to preserve ice. The ice was produced in the coldest period of winter and people would use the preserved ice during the summer. Ice was used to keep meat, dairy, and other foods fresh. It was also used to create dishes such as ice cream, chilled beverages, and traditional desserts. Although most cold dishes were a luxury for the privileged in ancient times, ice was still accessible to the entire public. It could be purchased straight from the yakhchal or from a vendor at the market. In a country where a large portion of the climate is very hot-arid and the summers are long, access to ice makes for a more comfortable life style. Even though these structures are categorized as ancient you could still find them in use as recently as the 21st century.

Illustration of a vaulted dome yakhchal

 There are a variety of techniques used to execute the ice making and preserving process, above is a common lay out found in the warmer regions of Iran it has three main components; a shade wall, pool, and ice reservoir. The wall is constructed to project a northward facing shadow, stretching in length both east and west. The size of the wall depends on the capacity of the reservoir. Along the wall a pool is made, usually only 40-50 cm deep, the width and length vary on the wall. This pool is used to hold water at night which will freeze by morning. The ice is broken into smaller pieces and transported into the reservoir where it is stored until the summer season. The vaulted dome traps the heat at the top of the structure while the ice is stored underground in a pit.

Aerial and cross section illustration of yakhchal

The historical background of Iranian ice repositories is unclear until the 17th century ( Safavid era) but the estimated time it was introduced is before 400 CE. There may be recorded history of using ice in this part of the world but none describing how it was produced. Much of the recorded descriptions and illustrations are provided by tourist or travelers to the area. Iranian bio-climatic architecture has thrived to create comfortable living for its native people with conscious design for individual regions. Such a simple yet sophisticated design should not be left to ruins but instead preserved and even reintroduced to every day use.

Sirjan, Iran