Iran's Ancient Windcatchers Are a 3,000-Year-Old Air Conditioning System

The Iranian city of Yazd is famous for its 'windcatchers' (badgir) — tall tower structures that capture prevailing winds and funnel cool air down into buildings below. This passive cooling system has been in use for over 3,000 years and requires no electricity, working entirely through natural airflow.

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https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1506

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Published: April 7, 2026
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Iran History & Civilization Architecture

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