Iran, a land with a rich history and ancient culture, has become a popular tourist destination for travelers from around the world. This country, in addition to its extraordinary natural beauty, is home to numerous historical attractions and sites that delight history enthusiasts. These historical relics can be found throughout the country, and among the most famous are the historical castles. These castles once served as defensive fortifications against foreign invasions. If you are interested in learning more about the famous castles of Iran, join us in this article by Eligasht.
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Introduction to Famous Castles of Iran
As mentioned before, castles are significant historical and ancient sites that can be found in any country. It might interest you to know that these castles were primarily built for defensive and protective purposes, along major roads or important cities in rugged and elevated areas or on the slopes of cliffs, using materials such as stone and raw bricks. These structures were often designed in a rectangular shape and served not only military and defense purposes but sometimes also other functions such as caravanserais or residential areas.
It is worth noting that in Iran, fortified castles with various designs have been built since 3000 BC, and many of them are still well-preserved. In the following sections, we will introduce some of the most important and famous castles in Iran.
Alamut Castle
Among the most famous castles in Iran, we must mention Alamut Castle, located on a rocky cliff in the northeastern part of Gazorkhan village, in the Alamut region of Qazvin. It stands at an elevation of 2,163 meters above sea level, and to reach it, one must climb 400 winding stone steps. It is worth mentioning that the name Alamut is derived from the words ‘al’ and ‘amut,’ meaning the nest of an eagle.
More about Alamut Castle
The history of Alamut Castle, one of the renowned castles of Iran, dates back to the early Islamic period. Hassan Sabbah, the leader of the Ismaili sect, seized this castle in 486 and transformed it into a military and security stronghold against the Seljuks. For this reason, it is also referred to as Hassan Sabbah’s Castle. Alamut Castle was set on fire by the order of Hulagu Khan in 654 and later became a prison during the Safavid era. Today, only ruins of this magnificent castle remain due to excavations carried out during the Qajar period in search of treasure, as well as natural disasters.
One of the unique features of this castle is its water supply system and the construction style of its water reservoirs. It is worth mentioning that there is a water well in the northwestern part that is always full and never runs dry!
Key Historical Facts
- Hassan-i Sabbah: The founder of the Nizari Ismaili state, who used Alamut Castle as his base of operations.
- Mongol Invasion: The castle was eventually captured and destroyed by the Mongols in the 13th century.
- Strategic Location: Perched on a high rock, the castle provided a commanding view of the surrounding valleys and mountains.
Address: Alamut Region, Gazorkhan Village, Qazvin Province, Iran
Visiting hours: First half of the year 8 AM to 7 PM, second half of the year 8 AM to 6 PM.
Rudkhan Castle
Another famous castle in Iran is Rudkhan Castle, which is considered one of the most famous military castles in Iran and is located amidst the dense forest trees of Fouman city. To the right of this castle, there is a river called Rokhun, from which the castle derives its name. It is also known as Segsāl and Dez-e Hesami. Based on an inscription found in the structure, it can be said that the castle was reconstructed during the Seljuk period and remained functional until the Zand dynasty.
Rudkhan Castle is also known as the Thousand-Step Castle due to the presence of 935 steps along the access route, which are situated along the walls. Some of the significant sections of this castle include the royal seat, shrine, water reservoir, refrigeration house, prison, bathhouse, and granary.
Key Architectural Features
- Fortified Walls: The castle is surrounded by thick walls, stretching over 1,500 meters, with numerous watchtowers.
- Main Gate: The grand entrance gate is a prominent feature, showcasing intricate stonework and defensive mechanisms.
- Natural Beauty: The castle is nestled in a dense forest, offering breathtaking views and a serene atmosphere.
Address: Rudkhan Village, Rudkhan Castle, 20 kilometers southwest of Fouman, Gilan Province, Iran
Visiting hours: 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM”
The Castle of Falak-ol-Aflak
When it comes to famous castles of Iran, we cannot overlook the Castle of Falak-ol-Aflak. This castle is located on the highest point of Khorramabad city, on the ancient hill of Falak-ol-Aflak. It covers an area of approximately 5,300 square meters and has a height of 40 meters. Throughout history, the Castle of Falak-ol-Aflak has served as a prison for Roman captives, a governmental center, a royal treasury, and a military barracks. Today, it has been transformed into a museum of archaeology, ethnology, and historical artifact restoration, open to the public for visitation.
The origins of this famous castle in Iran date back to the Sassanian period, and throughout history, it has been known by various names such as Dezh-e Shapurkhast, Khorramabad Castle, Upper Castle, White Castle, Atabakan Palace, and Twelve-Tower Castle. It is worth mentioning that this castle has twelve towers, symbolizing the astronomical signs, which is why it became known as Falak-ol-Aflak during the Qajar period. The castle has been renovated and reconstructed during the Safavid and Qajar eras.
Key Architectural Features
- Eight Towers: The castle is characterized by its eight cylindrical towers, which provide a commanding view of the surrounding area.
- Museum: Today, the castle houses a museum that displays artifacts from the region’s history, including pottery, coins, and weapons.
- Strategic Location: Situated on a hill, the castle offers panoramic views of Khorramabad and the surrounding landscape.
Address: Falak-ol-Aflak Castle, Imam Khomeini Street, Khorramabad, Lorestan Province, Iran
Visiting hours: 8 AM to 7 PM
Arg-e Bam
Arg-e Bam, which is considered the largest adobe structure in the world, is another famous castle in Iran. It is located on a hill in the northwest of the historic city of Bam. The origins of this castle can be traced back to the Achaemenid period, although it has changed during various historical periods, from the Timurid era to the Qajar era. Arg-e Bam, with its 2,500-year-old history, has repeatedly served as a barrier against enemy invasions and has been a refuge for rebels during certain times.
This famous castle in Iran covers an area of approximately 18 hectares and features walls that are 6 to 7 meters high. It consists of two main sections, the upper (governing) and lower (residential) parts. Some notable sections of this castle include the military fortress, the ruler’s residence, the Four-Season Mansion, the water well, the stable, windmill, the main gate, towers, and ramparts. The earthquake in 2003 caused significant damage to many parts of the Arg, but fortunately, with the restoration efforts, the castle has been returned to its original state.
Key Historical Facts
- Achaemenid Origins: The citadel’s history dates back to the Achaemenid period, around the 6th century BCE.
- Sassanian Expansion: The citadel was significantly expanded and fortified during the Sassanian era
Address: Arg-e Bam, Bahman Street, Bam, Kerman Province, Iran
Visiting hours: First half of the year from 7 AM to 7 PM, second half of the year from 7 AM to 17:30″
Rayen Castle or Arg-e Rayen
Rayen Castle, also known as Arg-e Rayen, is another famous castle in Iran located approximately 105 kilometers southwest of the city of Rayen in Kerman Province. It is considered the second-largest adobe structure in the world after Bam Citadel. This castle, with an area of about 22,000 square meters, bears a striking resemblance to Bam Citadel. Its origins date back to the Sassanian period and in the past, it served as the residence of city rulers, government officials, merchants, farmers, and various other occupations. It also had military and defensive purposes during the post-Islamic era.
This castle consists of a two-story fortified tower with 16 watchtowers and is situated at an altitude of 2,500 meters. The castle is surrounded by thick walls and a moat for protection. Some important sections of this castle include the rainwater reservoir, quarantine area, barracks, school, mosque, and storage.
Key Architectural Features
- Defensive Walls: The castle is surrounded by high walls, with numerous watchtowers and defensive structures.
- Residential Quarters: Inside the castle, visitors can explore the residential quarters, including the governor’s residence and various workshops.
Address: Rayen Castle, Imam Street, Rayen, Kerman Province, Iran
Visiting hours: 8 AM to 5 PM
Dokhtar Castle of Kerman
The Dokhtar (girl) Castle of Kerman is one of the most important and oldest famous castles of Iran. It is located in the northeastern part of Kerman, on a rocky hill between Zarisf and Mount Sahib Al-Zaman. This rocky hill has a height of about 400 meters, and the only access to it is through a narrow passageway, which has been fortified with strong towers for its protection. This castle is also known by other names such as Old Castle, Gavashir Castle, and Anahita’s Fire Temple.
Its origins are attributed to the Parthian period, although some attribute the construction of this castle to Ardeshir and others to Babak Khorramdin. The reason for naming it the Dokhtar Castle is its impregnability, as in ancient Iran, a girl symbolized purity and invincibility. Unfortunately, many parts of this castle have been destroyed due to negligence.
Address: Dokhtar Castle, Kerman Province, Iran
Babak Castle
Babak Castle is one of the famous castles of Iran and East Azerbaijan Province. It is located on top of a mountain with an elevation of 2,300 to 2,700 meters, near the forests of Arasbaran. The origins of this castle date back to the Sassanian period, and it is also known as Dezh-e Jomeh or Jomeh Castle. The native people of this castle call it “Boz-e Qaleh Si.” It is worth mentioning that for 20 years, this fortress served as the residence and battleground of Babak Khorramdin, a renowned Iranian commander. He and his companions defended against the Abbasid caliphs and Arab armies from this fortress, eventually leading to their escape and defeat. For this reason, it became known as Babak Castle.
The construction of Babak Castle involved the use of stone, brick, mortar, wood, and straw. Even after 1,200 years, some parts of this castle are still intact.
Address: Babak Castle, Kilometer 3, Kalibar, East Azerbaijan Province, Iran
Narin Castle
Another famous castle in Iran is Narin Castle, also known as the Orange Castle. It is located in the center of the desert city of Nain in Isfahan Province. After the Jameh Mosque minaret, it is considered the tallest structure in the city. The origins of this castle date back to the Parthian or Sassanian era, and throughout the years, it has been used as a fire temple, a military fortress, and a residence for city rulers.
This polygonal castle has multiple towers placed around it, with trenches dug around them. Taking into account these trenches, the height of the castle reaches 50 meters. This famous castle in Iran is made of raw bricks, and the varying dimensions of these bricks reflect the construction and expansion of the castle during different historical periods.
Address: Narin Castle, Nain, Isfahan Province, Iran
Visiting hours: 8 AM to 5 PM
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Karim Khan Citadel
One of the most prominent and well-known castles of Iran is the Karim Khan Citadel located in the center of Shiraz. It was built by the order of Karim Khan Zand in the lunar year 1180 AH (1766 AD) by the best architects. Initially, the citadel served as Karim Khan’s residence. However, during the Qajar period, it was used as the seat of government, and personal structures were built inside that had no resemblance to the architecture of the building. During the Pahlavi era, the citadel was converted into a prison and each of the halls was divided into multiple cells to accommodate prisoners.
Among the notable features of this famous castle in Iran are the Shah Neshin area, also known as the Tall Hall or Paradise Pavilion, the stone basins made of limestone known as Atabak Stone, and the water supply system from the Qanat.
Address: Karim Khan Citadel, Karim Khan Zand Street, Corner of Shahrbari Square, Shiraz, Fars Province, Iran
Visiting hours: First half of the year from 8:30 AM to 9 PM, second half of the year from 7:30 AM to 8:30 PM
Portuguese Castle
Another famous castle in Iran is the Portuguese Castle, which is a complex of extensive and sturdy castles built in 1507 AD by order of a Portuguese navigator in the regions of Qeshm, Oman, Raas ol Kheimeh, Kong, and the island of Hormuz. It is worth mentioning that the construction of these castles increased the power of the Portuguese and ensured their dominance over the Persian Gulf regions for a century. These castles were built to prevent uprisings and protests by the people of southern Iran and the Persian Gulf areas.
The Portuguese Castle in Qeshm is one of these famous castles in Iran and attracts many visitors today. It includes sections such as ammunition and weaponry storage, a church, a hall, a water reservoir, and a prison.
Address: Portuguese Castle, Imam Khomeini Square, Geo Park Boulevard, North Side of Qeshm Island, Hormozgan Province, Iran
Visiting hours: 8 AM to 5 PM
Izadkhast Castle
Izadkhast Castle, also known as Dezh-e Izadkhast, is another famous castle in Iran. It is located in Fars Province, 75 kilometers north of Abadeh and 7 kilometers north of Izadkhast. The castle dates back to the Sassanian era and is known by other names such as Sarsang Castle and Kohneh Castle. This fortress bears a strong resemblance to Bam Citadel and is made of adobe. It features small houses with wooden balconies built in narrow streets. It’s worth mentioning that the houses do not have courtyards, and the roof of the first floor is considered the courtyard of the second floor.
One of the notable structures inside Izadkhast Castle is the Four-Arch Sassanian Fire Temple, which was converted into a mosque in the 9th century.
Address: Izadkhast Castle, Central District, Abadeh, Fars Province, Iran
Final words
In this article, we tried to introduce some of the famous castles of Iran and provide a brief description of their features. In addition to the mentioned ones, there are other well-known historical castles in our country, such as Shush Castle, Saryazd Castle, Nushijan Castle, Vali Castle, Furg Citadel, and many others. We hope this article has helped you gain some knowledge about the historical landmarks of Iran.
FAQ
- What is the historical significance of Alamut Castle?
Alamut Castle, also known as the “Eagle’s Nest,” was the stronghold of the Nizari Ismaili state during the 11th and 12th centuries. It was led by Hassan-i Sabbah and played a crucial role in the region’s history until it was captured by the Mongols in the 13th century.
- What are the key architectural features of Rudkhan Castle?
Rudkhan Castle is renowned for its fortified walls, stretching over 1,500 meters, with numerous watchtowers. The grand entrance gate showcases intricate stonework and defensive mechanisms. The castle is also nestled in a dense forest, offering breathtaking views and a serene atmosphere.
- What is the history of the Bam Citadel?
The Bam Citadel, or “Arg-e Bam,” dates back to the Achaemenid period and reached its peak during the Sassanian era. It was severely damaged by an earthquake in 2003 but has since undergone extensive restoration efforts to preserve its historical significance.
- What can visitors see at Falak-ol-Aflak Castle?
Falak-ol-Aflak Castle features eight cylindrical towers, a museum displaying artifacts from the region’s history, and panoramic views of Khorramabad and the surrounding landscape. The castle has served various purposes over the centuries, including as a military stronghold, a treasury, and a prison.