The Towers of Silence in Yazd—known locally as Dakhmeh—are unique historical structures in Iran and a key example of Zoroastrian sky burial traditions. Located on two barren hills outside Yazd, these circular stone towers reflect the funerary practices of Zoroastrianism, one of the world’s oldest religions.
For centuries, these dakhmeh towers were used for sky burial rituals based on strict beliefs in the purity of earth, fire, water, and air. This ancient system reflects a distinct spiritual and environmental worldview that shaped life in desert communities across Iran.
Today, although no longer in use, the Towers of Silence remain one of the most striking cultural landmarks in Yazd, often included in Iran cultural tours for travelers interested in Zoroastrian heritage and ancient Persian civilization.
Header Photo by @Diego Delso on Wikimedia
Zoroastrian Beliefs Behind the Towers of Silence
Zoroastrianism, founded by Zarathustra (Zoroaster) in ancient Persia around 1200 BCE, is based on the cosmic struggle between good (asha) and evil (druj). Central to its teachings is purity in thought, word, and deed, extended to the four elements: earth, fire, water, and air.
In this belief system, a dead body was considered instantly impure due to nasu (corpse contamination), making burial and cremation forbidden. Sacred texts such as the Vendidad, part of the Avesta, outline strict rules for corpse disposal to avoid polluting natural elements (Encyclopaedia Iranica).
To solve this, Zoroastrians developed sky burial: bodies were placed on the Towers of Silence in Yazd, where exposure to nature and scavenging birds returned the body to the natural cycle without contaminating earth or fire.
To learn more about the Zoroastrian heritage in Iran, also read:
History of the Towers of Silence in Iran
The tradition of dakhmeh burial dates back centuries and became especially prominent in desert regions like Yazd, where isolation supported ritual purity. These structures were central to Zoroastrian communities for generations.
By the early 20th century, modern urbanization and public health regulations led to the gradual abandonment of sky burial. The last recorded use of the Towers of Silence in Yazd occurred in the 1970s. Since then, they have remained preserved as cultural and historical monuments, reflecting both religious tradition and social change in Iran.
Architecture of the Towers of Silence (Dakhmeh)
Located approximately 15 kilometers southeast of Yazd, the Towers of Silence (Dakhmeh) sit atop two barren hills known as Dakhmeh-ye Zartoshtiyan and Dakhmeh-ye Manshiyan. These Zoroastrian burial structures are among the most distinctive examples of funerary architecture in Iran’s desert heritage landscape. The stark, open surroundings reflect both the solemnity and the spiritual functionality of the space.
Each tower is a circular stone platform about 15–25 meters in diameter, with an inward-sloping floor and a central ossuary pit. The design is striking in its austerity and utilitarianism:
- Concentric Circles: The tower’s surface is divided into three concentric rings: Outer ring for men, middle for women, inner for children.
- Ossuary Pit (Ostudān): At the center of the tower lies a deep well into which the bones, bleached and dried by the sun and scavenging birds, were swept. The bones would eventually disintegrate into dust or be collected and treated with lime to prevent odor and contamination.
- Walls and Drainage: The perimeter walls are high to maintain the privacy and sanctity of the ritual, and the floors are gently sloped to allow for natural drainage of rainwater and bodily fluids into special filtration systems to avoid polluting the surrounding area.
Ritual Function: How Zoroastrian Sky Burial Worked
In Zoroastrian sky burial tradition, the body was immediately considered impure due to nasu. To prevent contamination of sacred elements, burial and cremation were avoided. Instead, bodies were placed on the Towers of Silence in open exposure. Birds naturally consumed the flesh, and the remaining bones were gathered into a central ossuary pit, where they gradually decomposed or were treated with lime.
This system preserved both spiritual purity and environmental balance, forming one of the most distinctive funerary practices in ancient Iran.
Ancillary Buildings: Prayer Halls, Washing Rooms, and More
Beneath the Towers of Silence, a network of supporting structures once played an essential role in Zoroastrian funerary practices. According to Encyclopaedia Iranica, these complexes combined ritual, preparation, and practical functions within a carefully organized layout.
- Prayer halls (Azā Khāneh) were used for religious ceremonies and funeral prayers, where families and priests gathered to perform rites such as the Yasna and Vendidad. Nearby, ossuaries and bone chambers stored or processed remains from earlier sky burials in Yazd and other Zoroastrian communities.
- Special washing and preparation rooms (Barzish Khāneh) were used by ritual caretakers known as nasu-sālārs, where purification rites were carried out before the body was taken to the dakhmeh. These spaces also reflect strict Zoroastrian purity laws described in ancient texts such as the Vendidad.
- Separate residential quarters for priests and attendants were located away from the main community due to their ritual impurity during service,
- while watchtowers and guard posts helped protect the sacred area and maintain its spiritual sanctity.
These structures reflect the complexity of Zoroastrian funerary customs, emphasizing the interplay between ritual purity, cosmic order, and communal duty. Their architectural design represents not only spiritual ideals but also practical solutions to environmental and hygienic challenges.
Other Towers of Silence in Iran
While Yazd preserves the best-known example, other dakhmeh sites existed across Iran:
- Kerman: Ruins near former Zoroastrian settlements
- Tehran (Gheytarieh): A Qajar-era tower once located on city outskirts
- Isfahan: Historical references confirm former structures
- Taft and Cham: Smaller regional burial towers near Yazd
All were built in remote, elevated areas to preserve spiritual and physical purity.
How to Visit the Towers of Silence in Yazd
The site is open daily from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, with the best visiting season between October and April.
Visitors should expect:
- A moderate uphill walk to the towers
- Desert exposure with limited shade
- Panoramic views of Yazd’s desert landscape
Recommended:
- Modest clothing and comfortable shoes
- Water and sun protection
- Local guide for historical context
- Respect the Sanctity: While no longer in active use, the towers remain spiritually.
Top Things to See Near the Towers of Silence in Yazd
- Zoroastrian Fire Temple: Home to the Ātash Bahrām, a fire believed to be continuously burning since the 5th century CE.
- Dowlat Abad Garden: Famous for its 33-meter windcatcher and Persian garden layout.
- Amir Chakhmaq Complex: A Qajar-era architectural marvel in central Yazd.
- Yazd Water Museum: Offers insights into qanat systems and desert hydrology.
- Fahadan District: The heart of Yazd’s old town with restored mansions, museums, and traditional architecture.
- Jameh Mosque of Yazd: An architectural masterpiece with dazzling tilework and towering minarets in Fahadan district.
Why Visit the Towers of Silence in Yazd
The Towers of Silence offer a rare insight into how ancient societies understood life, death, and nature. The silence of the desert hills, combined with the stark geometry of the dakhmeh, creates one of the most atmospheric cultural sites in Iran.
Unlike conventional monuments, this is a place where philosophy, religion, and landscape merge—making it one of the most distinctive highlights of any journey through Yazd and central Iran.
Bring the Grave Silence of Dakhmehs to Your Clients!
The Towers of Silence in Yazd are included in our Iran cultural tours, designed for tour operators and travel partners seeking authentic, in-depth cultural experiences for their clients.
We offer fully customizable itineraries across Iran, combining Yazd’s Zoroastrian heritage sites, desert architecture, and UNESCO-listed destinations into seamless travel programs tailored for different markets and group types.
Contact us at b2b@nilutours.com to collaborate or customize Iran cultural tour packages for your clients.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are the Towers of Silence in Yazd?
A: The Towers of Silence in Yazd are circular stone structures used by Zoroastrianism for traditional sky burials, where the deceased were placed to be exposed to nature. They are located on the outskirts of Yazd and are among the most important Zoroastrian heritage sites in Iran.
Q: Why did Zoroastrians use sky burial in the Towers of Silence?
A: Zoroastrians believed that death made the body impure and that burial or cremation could contaminate the sacred elements of earth and fire. Sky burial was used to avoid pollution by allowing natural elements and scavenging birds to return the body to nature in accordance with religious purity laws.
Q: Can you visit the Towers of Silence in Yazd today?
A: Yes, the Towers of Silence are open to visitors as a cultural and historical site. Although no longer used for religious purposes, they remain an important heritage landmark and are commonly included in Yazd cultural tours.
Q: How far are the Towers of Silence from Yazd city center?
A: The site is located approximately 11 kilometers southeast of Yazd, making it a short drive from the city and easily accessible as part of a half-day excursion.
Q: What should I wear when visiting the Towers of Silence?
A: Visitors are advised to wear modest, comfortable clothing suitable for walking in a desert environment. Sun protection, water, and appropriate footwear are recommended due to exposed terrain and limited shade.
Q: Why are the Towers of Silence important?
A:The Towers of Silence represent a unique intersection of religion, architecture, and environmental philosophy. They reflect ancient Zoroastrian beliefs about purity, nature, and the cycle of life and death, making them one of the most distinctive cultural sites in Iran.
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