INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
in Falavarjan county of Isfahan province.On Monday, several local authorities paid a visit to the centuries-old mud-brick towers to
personally inspect the restoration process, CHTN reported.The physical condition of pigeon towers, historical values ??of the site, previous
restoration procedures, their ownership status, tourism capacities, and potential investment strategies were among topics that officials of
Falavarjan discussed during the visit, the report said.Moreover, the authorities urged the need to start a survey to determine legal
boundaries for 43 pigeon towers, which are situated in five different collections, in a bid to enhance their protection.The restoration work
is estimated to come to an end by the yearned (March 20, 2023), the report said
when such pigeon houses were built first, but according to the comments by ancient travelers, at least they have existed since 800 years ago
knowing their functions, ordered the construction of such places in his capital, Bukhara
Also, the famous French traveler, Sharden, who visited Iran during the 16th century, again mentioned different pigeon houses in Iran,
especially in Isfahan and Yazd
During the invasion of Afghans, most of them were ruined, probably as a result of being used as shelters.Isfahan, in central Iran, is famed
for having a rich heritage of pigeon towers; most of them were built in the 17th century
The architecture of these towers is based on the vernacular architecture of Iran.It is an efficient use of space inside the towers; the
walls were strengthened with interior arches
The ceiling is of the barrel-vaulted kind.Isfahan is dotted with bizarre but very picturesque pigeon towers
In contrast to a European dovecot, which often housed pigeons to be used as meat, in Iran, the pigeons were never eaten
Here pigeon towers were used as guano factories to produce fertilizers for the melons that have always been the pride of the region
The guano was also used in the manufacture of gunpowder.Pigeon towers are of considerable size, often 10.5-12 m high, of sturdy construction
The pigeon houses are usually built of mud-brick
Unbelievably varied, often decorated by ornate cupolas and muqarnas friezes, they are so charming that it is well worth going even great
distances to see them.Although there are never two identical pigeon towers, all conform to a single plan
Each tower consists of an outer drum, buttressed internally to prevent collapse and to support the inner drum that rises perhaps a third as
high as the main structure.Pigeons can get to their nets through some passages which are such narrow that is impossible to other birds such
as eagles or falcons to enter
At the bottom, there are some smooth parts of stucco works
These parts can avoid snakes to ascend
In some cases, they put a bowl of milk at the center with limes around it
As snakes like milk, they try to get it but will be stuck in the lime.Nowadays, due to the wide usage of chemical fertilizers, such pigeon
towers just convey memories of the past as significant but strange buildings.AM
