Kyahriz system in Ordubad

The very framework of Ordubad, which defines its layout and the structure of its neighborhoods, is the system of kyarizes—an ancient aqueduct that draws from mountain springs. Constructing this system was no small feat; every home had to receive clean water, sourced from upstream areas where no laundry was washed, ensuring the purity of the supply.

At the heart of this intricate system are five artificial springs, each accompanied by its own plane tree and neighborhood. The age of these trees suggests that the kyarizes were constructed long before the Ilkhanids arrived. Once, similar systems existed in dozens, if not hundreds, of Muslim cities, stretching from the Crimean town of Gezlev (Yevpatoria) to the Uyghur city of Turfan. However, few have withstood the test of time against modern plumbing.

In fact, on a global scale, the primary attraction of Ordubad lies in its kyarizes, which are among the best-preserved and most actively functioning in the southern republics of the former USSR.

In certain areas, access to the underground streams is available directly from the streets.

One such access point, hidden away in the lower quarters, is particularly deep:

It is called Kırk-Ayak, meaning “Forty Steps.” From an ordinary, somewhat neglected street, a steep, slippery staircase of forty steps descends into darkness and coolness, leading to a clear and swift underground stream.

The system of kyahriz (underground reservoirs), which still serves as a vital source of water supply for the city, was established during the medieval period. Each neighborhood in Ordubad had its own kyahriz, with larger neighborhoods hosting two or three. Most of these were communal; to access water from the kyahriz, a well was dug in the courtyard and connected to the kyahriz channel. Locally, these wells are referred to as “gyrkh pilleken” (meaning “40 steps”), as steps were carved into the stone for ease of descent and ascent to the water. Kyahriz not only supplied the residents with drinking water but also powered mills, irrigated fields, gardens, and orchards. In the summer months, they were even used to store vegetables, fruits, and dairy products.