A badgir is a Persian windcatcher designed to cool buildings by directing air through towers.
The word is commonly translated as “windcatcher.” These structures rise above roofs and contain vertical shafts with openings oriented to prevailing winds. Air is guided downward into rooms, while warmer air can be displaced through other openings. Some systems also work with underground water channels or basins to provide additional evaporative cooling.
Badgirs are strongly associated with the hot, dry climate of Iran, especially cities such as Yazd, where traditional houses and public buildings used them extensively. They are not simply decorative towers and should not be confused with minarets, which are associated with mosques and calls to prayer. Designs vary according to local wind patterns, building layouts, and the desired airflow.