The Stone Whirlpool of Lorestan is a historical site dating back to the Sassanid era. Join us to learn more about this water structure and its ancient origins.
🌀 Water has always played a vital role in human life and has been an essential element throughout history. In ancient times, many innovations were used to store and transport water to different parts of a city. As you travel through various regions of Iran, you will come across water reservoirs (known as ab-anbars) that were historically used for water storage. The Stone Whirlpool in the city of Khorramabad is one such structure, built during the Sassanid era to collect spring water and distribute it to different parts of the city.
Locally known as "Gerdav-e Bardineh," the Stone Whirlpool is one of the historical monuments remaining from the Sassanid period in Khorramabad.
🌀 Why Did the Sassanids Design the Stone Whirlpool in a Circular Shape?
The Stone Whirlpool is circular in shape and was built around a spring using lime and gypsum. Its purpose was to manage the outflow of water from the spring and then channel it through canals to various parts of the ancient city of Shapurkhast. The spring of the Stone Whirlpool contains water almost throughout the entire year.
🌀 Dimensions of the Stone Whirlpool
The structure has a diameter of 18 meters, an area of 256 square meters, a width of 3 meters, and a depth of 18 meters from the top to the bottom of the spring. The Stone Whirlpool includes a sluice gate measuring 90 × 160 centimeters to transfer water from the whirlpool into distribution canals.
🌀 Location of the Stone Whirlpool
The Stone Whirlpool is located in the center of Khorramabad, amidst the old urban fabric, near Takhti Square.
🌀 About the Stone Whirlpool of Lorestan
The Stone Whirlpool was registered as a national heritage site of Iran in 1976 (1355 in the Persian calendar). Today, it is considered one of the most important tourist attractions in Khorramabad. All visitors to the site admire its architectural style and benefit from learning about its historical construction. A visit to this whirlpool typically takes less than an hour and is free of charge.
🌀 Best Time to Visit the Stone Whirlpool of Lorestan
The best time to visit is in spring, especially early spring, when the weather in Lorestan is pleasant and the whirlpool’s spring has its highest water output compared to other times of the year. This allows visitors to experience the site at its most beautiful and vibrant state.