Iran, a land with a civilization thousands of years old and a rich culture, is home to many historical sites and landmarks that attract tourists from around the world. One type of these historical sites and landmarks is castles, which had various uses in ancient times. Sib Castle in Sistan and Baluchestan is one of the most important of these castles, considered the tallest adobe building in Iran; however, unfortunately, many are not familiar with it. In this article, join us with Eligasht to introduce this beautiful historical castle.
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Introduction to Sib Castle
Sib Castle, also known by other names such as Seb Castle and Klasb Castle, is located in the southeast of Sistan and Baluchestan Province in a historic town named Seb, in the Sib and Suren district, 45 kilometers southwest of Saravan city. This castle is one of the most important historical castles, dating back several centuries, constructed using local materials such as adobe and clay. As mentioned, this castle is the tallest adobe building in Iran and is considered one of the most unique castles of the Islamic era.
It is worth mentioning that this structure is of great historical and cultural significance and is recognized as a symbol of the identity, existence, and historical identity of the Baluchestan region. The city of Seb and Suren, which houses Sib Castle, is one of the oldest parts of Sistan and Baluchestan, with a history spanning thousands of years.
History of Sib Castle
Sib Castle is one of the buildings belonging to the Islamic era, dating back to the Safavid period. It is one of the oldest and most magnificent historical castles in Sistan and Baluchestan Province, serving as the seat of power for rulers in various periods who governed regions such as Kant, Hidooch, Suren, Zaboli, Paskooh, and Gasht. In the 12th century AH, a person named Malek Dinar and his sons ruled over the Seb and Suren region. Another ruler of Sib Castle was Gholam Rasoul Khan.
Parts of Sib Castle suffered damage during the rule of Mohammad Shah, a local ruler whose lineage traces back to Shah Ne’matullah Wali (a mystic and Sufi of the 8th century AH). During this period, a war broke out resulting in the castle being occupied for 9 days, and parts of its walls and towers were destroyed. However, the castle was reconstructed during the reign of Seyed Gholam Rasoul. In fact, this castle was built on a natural rock using adobe and clay materials and has been constructed over various periods. Sib Castle was registered as a national heritage site in 1375.
Why is it called Sib Castle?
You might wonder why this castle is called by this name. Interestingly, the name Seb Castle, also known as Sib and Kalasb Castle, is derived from the city of Seb, meaning a place where running water was flowing. This term is also applied to ancient tribes in Saravan and is defined in Dehkhoda’s dictionary as a place with many springs.
Introduction to the Architecture of Sib Castle
Sib Castle, the tallest adobe building in Iran, has a terraced structure and is constructed in two floors, reaching a height of 27 meters. The base of this structure forms a rectangle with dimensions of approximately 36 by 25 meters. It is noteworthy that as the height of the structure increases, its volume decreases. Access to the castle is possible via a staircase in the southeast. Regarding the different sections of this castle, it includes a main building in the middle of the courtyard, walls, and additional structures. The throne room of the castle is located in the highest part.
Among the unique features of Sib Saravan Castle are the presence of expansion joints in the main building of the castle, a royal seat, access to well water on the upper floor, the presence of ceramic pipes for water supply, intricately carved doors, and the use of indigenous materials such as bricks, mud, and date palm wood. Additionally, for added security, the castle is surrounded by a three-meter-high wall and has four towers and locations for guarding and shooting.
Different Sections of Sib Saravan Castle
Sib Saravan Castle has various sections, and to provide you with a brief introduction to some of these parts, we will discuss them further.
Central Courtyard and Mysterious Stairs of the Castle
Inside Sib Saravan Castle, a central courtyard stands out, surrounded by approximately 10 small and large rooms. If you wish to access the upper floors, the royal seat, or the summer terrace of the building, you must use narrow hidden stairs with a small width and steep incline.
You might wonder why these stairs were designed this way. The reason for constructing these stairs was to prevent anyone from quickly and recklessly reaching the top of the castle. With this design, anyone wishing to ascend to the higher floors had to carefully and cautiously step on the stairs to avoid falling. This feature provided enough time for the residents of the upper floors to confront the enemy during times of war.
Second Floor of the Castle
Upon reaching the second floor of Sib Saravan Castle, you will see a courtyard-like space adorned with decorative walls. This space was used for sunbathing in winter and relaxation during the summer season. In this courtyard overlooking the surroundings of the castle, there are also watchtowers for surveillance and guard duty.
It is noteworthy that on the second floor of the building, several rooms with different purposes catch the eye, constructed by the orders of various rulers. One of these rooms was built by Mir Mahmoud Khan, which was later used for private meetings. The rooms of Mir Mahmoud Khan and Mohammad Omar Khan are among the other spaces on this floor, featuring a hidden passage for access to the second floor.
Magical Alcoves of the Castle
One of the most interesting parts of Sib Saravan Castle is the presence of alcoves in the walls that served various purposes. Locally known as “deryg,” these hidden alcoves are used as safes by the Baloch people. Additionally, in the southeast section of the first room, several alcoves can be seen with a ladder placed inside, rising about one meter high to reach another crevice. It appears that during meetings, a spy would secretly enter this alcove to prevent any harm to the king in sessions and similar situations, ensuring better oversight of the proceedings.
Parts of the Castle Services
Among the other sections of the Sib Saravan Castle, mention must be made of a long room in the northern part that was used as a kitchen. Additionally, on the right side and at the end of the kitchen, there was a pathway leading to a traditional handwashing area specifically for women. Interestingly, in the opposite section, namely the southwest, a narrow and long pathway can be seen leading to a men’s handwashing area. In fact, it can be said that the extension seen from the southeast facade of the castle is a tall handwashing wall.
The most beautiful view of the castle can be seen in the southeast part of the castle. Next to the kitchen on the left side, there is a small room used as a food storage area, along with a traditional oven.
Amazing Archery Slots of the Castle
Among the other unique features of the Sib Castle are its archery slots, which are noticeable throughout the castle, including the courtyard walls, first and second floors of the structure, and even in specific locations designated for observation.
These archery slots traverse a narrow path in the thick walls in an arch shape to allow for the placement of a rifle barrel and provide a suitable view for accurate shooting, ensuring the safety of the archer. The number of these archery slots is quite high, strategically positioned towards sensitive areas. For instance, archery slots can be seen directly from the top of the second floor towards the first-floor courtyard and even from the top of the second-floor ceiling towards the main entrance of the castle.
In addition to these, there are seven holes strategically placed throughout the castle, including on top of the small towers, on both sides, next to the tower windows, totaling seven, enhancing the defensive capabilities of the castle.
Reason for the Exceptional Strength of the Castle
One of the most interesting features of the Sib Castle is a special mortar used in its construction. To build the tallest adobe structure in Iran, architects had to utilize a very strong and adhesive mortar. Interestingly, they used a combination of a plant called “Tutr” and clay to create this mortar. When the seeds of the Tutr plant are mixed with clay, water, and flowers, they create a very adhesive mortar that is highly resistant, even against the torrential rains and seasonal challenges of Baluchistan. This factor has contributed significantly to the continued stability of this adobe castle compared to other historical adobe structures.
In addition to the strong mortar, the architecture of the structure is designed in a way that as the height increases, the volume of the building decreases, enhancing its stability and preventing the slippage of the tall and thick walls. Constructing one-meter-thick walls and using palm tree wood for the ceilings have significantly contributed to the structural integrity of the castle.
Advanced Technology Employed in the Castle
The construction of Sib Castle incorporates advanced technology and engineering, adding to the wonder of this structure. Notable installations include expansion joints in the main building, water delivery from the well to the upper floors, access to the well on those floors, as well as the presence of gutters and terracotta pipes for water and sewage management within the castle. Additionally, the general building materials consist of adobe, clay, and palm tree wood, with intricately carved and elegant doors that captivate every eye.
How to Get to Sib Castle?
The distance from Sib Castle to Suran is 10 kilometers, to Saravan is 45 kilometers, and to Zahedan is 450 kilometers. To reach this historical structure, you should head to the southeast of Sib and Suran cities and then to the city of Sib. Given the warm climate of Sistan and Baluchestan, it’s advisable to visit this area during cooler seasons if you intend to explore this historical castle.
Tourist Attractions Nearby
You might be interested to know about other tourist attractions near Sib Castle where you can hit multiple birds with one stone and visit them as well. These attractions include the ancient Jame Mosque of Sab City, Molla Dinar Mosque, Molla Shokrollah Mosque, Haji Sahib Soob Dome, the old cemetery of Sib, Mil Maro, Pir Kahur and Kaleh Barzad, Sandy Hill, the therapeutic spring of Piregiaban region, Mashkid Aliya Dam, Apatan Palm Groves, waterfalls at the foot of Birak Mountain, and the castles of Kent, Hidooch, Krashan, and Paskouh.
Final words
In this article by Eligasht, we introduced Sib Castle, also known as Seb Castle, recognized as the tallest adobe structure in Iran dating back to the Safavid era. Located in the Sistan and Baluchestan province in a historical city called Sab, this castle boasts unique architecture and has preserved its strength over time, remaining intact to this day. If you plan to visit the Sistan and Baluchestan province and explore its tourist attractions, don’t miss the opportunity to witness this unique historical castle.
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FAQ
Where is Sib Castle located?
Sib Castle is situated in the Sistan and Baluchestan province, 45 kilometers southwest of Saravan, in the Sib and Suran district within the city of Sib.
To which period does the history of Sib Castle date back?
Sib Saravan Castle is a structure belonging to the Islamic era, with its history tracing back to the Safavid period.
Why is it called “Seb” Castle?
The name “Sib” or “Seb” Castle is derived from the city of Sib, meaning a place where there was flowing water. This term is also applied to ancient tribes in Saravan and has various meanings in Dehkhoda’s dictionary, including a place of springs.
What other tourist attractions does the city of Seb have?
In the historical city of Seb, there are other remarkable structures to visit, including the ancient Jame Mosque, Molla Dinar Mosque, Molla Shokrollah Mosque, and Haji Sahib Soob Dome.