The Safavids had a particular liking for melons and consumed them in staggering numbers.
At its peak, Isfahan had an estimated 3,000 pigeon towers.
Today, around 300 remain scattered throughout the countryside in various states of disrepair.
The inside of a pigeon tower, looking from the bottom towards the ceiling.
The small size of the entrances prohibits large birds such as hawks, owls or crows from entering inside.
The interior consists of endless nesting balconies in checkerboard pattern scattered uniformly along the walls.
The birds were provided housing, but not food.
The flocks of pigeons went out to seek water and to forage during the day.
At night the birds would return to the pigeon towers.
More importantly, the dung was an essential ingredient in the manufacture of gunpowder.
Photo credit
Sources:Saudi Aramco World/Historical Iran/Isfahan.org.uk/Canadian Center of Science and Education
