Shush Castle is one of the important tourist attractions in Iran, consisting of historical sites and monuments. Throughout this land, numerous hidden historical and astonishing treasures captivate every visitor. One of Iran’s historical and significant cities is Shush, located in the Khuzestan province, which is considered a remnant of the Elamite civilization. Among the historical sites of this city, Shush Castle stands out with its breathtaking appearance. In this article, join Eligasht to explore the introduction of this castle.
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Introduction to Shush Castle
Shush Castle is situated in the ancient city of Susa, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Susa has been a significant center of civilization for thousands of years, serving as the capital of the Elamite Empire and later as an important city in the Achaemenid and Sassanian empires. The castle itself was constructed by French archaeologists in the late 19th century to protect the archaeological excavations and findings in the area. Shush Castle is a remnant from the Qajar era, incorporating elements of the Chogha Zanbil and Darius’s Palace into its brick walls. This castle, which is one of the most remarkable parts of Shush, is located near many of the city’s historical attractions.
Shush Castle, also known as the French Castle or Brick Castle, represents a fusion of Iranian and European architecture. When you see this castle, you might think you are encountering an ancient artifact, while in reality, this structure is just a little over 100 years old. If you look behind yourself while standing in this castle, you will see the city of Shush, one of the oldest cities in Iran, as well as the dome of the tomb of Prophet Daniel beneath your feet.
It’s worth mentioning that Shush Castle was built during the excavations carried out by archaeologists in the historical area of Shush, and it is a relic from that era. Within the walls of this castle, there are brick-like inscribed bricks that have been obtained from the ancient Shush region. These bricks captivate every tourist who sees them.
Where is Shush Castle located?
Shush Castle, this extraordinary tourist attraction, is situated in the Khuzestan province, in the city of Shush, on Taleghani Street, on top of the Acropolis hill. It is worth mentioning that this castle is only two kilometers away from the center of Shush (approximately four minutes). Furthermore, the distance from Shush Castle to the cities of Dezful and Ahvaz is 35.5 kilometers (42 minutes) and 118 kilometers (95 minutes). This castle is also 680 kilometers away from Tehran (eight hours and 10 minutes). It should be noted that this structure is located on the ancient mound of Shush, near some of Shush’s most famous attractions, such as the Shush Museum, Apadana Palace, and the Tomb of Prophet Daniel.
Introduction to the History of Shush Castle
To become familiar with the history of Shush Castle, it is necessary to understand the history of excavations in the ancient region of Shush because, as we mentioned, this castle was constructed during these excavations. The first archaeological excavations in the historical area of Shush began in 1851 by the Englishman Count Loftus. Later, a French couple took over the excavations in this area by signing a contract with the court of Naser al-Din Shah. According to this agreement, the obtained artifacts had to be divided between the two countries.
However, the native people of Shush were dissatisfied with the presence of French archaeologists in their living environment and attributed disasters such as the spread of various diseases, torrential rains, and even solar eclipses to their bad luck. These archaeologists had no place in the local houses and were forced to spend their time in mud-brick houses. Eventually, these French experts irresponsibly took a significant amount of artifacts from Shush Castle out of Iran, contrary to their agreement.
New Phase of Excavations with the Presence of Jacques de Morgan
In 1895, the French once again negotiated with the Iranian government for excavation in Shush and obtained an exclusive 60-year excavation permit from the Qajar dynasty. Two years later, a French archaeological team led by Jacques de Morgan entered Iran, and excavations in the ancient mound of Shush resumed. He led this archaeological team for 15 years.
De Morgan, through negotiations with France, received a budget to construct a secure place where the excavation team could easily carry out archaeological activities in complete safety, alongside the historical mound.
Construction of Shush Castle
Finally, in 1897, Jacques de Morgan and his team used bricks and tiles from various periods to construct a medieval-style castle on Shush Hill in the northern section of the historical Acropolis mound. It was referred to as “Château” (meaning palace in French). Interestingly, Shush Castle was built under the supervision of the Filis dynasty, with the assistance of engineers from Dezful and Iranian workers from the city of Dezful. It served as a storage place for important objects, and excavation documents, and a resting place for the French mission for several consecutive years.
It is worth noting that Shush Castle is also known as Acropolis Castle because it is located near the Acropolis mound. It is also called the “Brick Museum” or the “Small Staircase” because bricks with inscriptions and tablets discovered from the Apadana Palace of Shush (Darius the Great’s Palace) and the zigzag bricks of the Shush ziggurat were used in the construction of parts of the castle.
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Restoration and Conservation of Shush Castle
During the Iran-Iraq war, Shush Castle was attacked and suffered significant damage. In 1992, it changed use and was used as a museum to preserve objects and historical artifacts discovered in the city of Shush. The Iranian government pursued efforts to retrieve the documents and records of this castle, and eventually, the French returned these documents to Iran in 1994.
It should be mentioned that Shush Castle underwent several uses, renovations, and restorations until 1996. Unfortunately, during an unconventional restoration operation in 1997, serious damage was inflicted on the castle. In this restoration, an amateur team of restorers painted parts of the rooms and corridors of Shush Castle, causing significant harm to its authenticity.
Current Status of Shush Castle
Since no stabilization was carried out during the construction of Shush Castle, the structure is now considerably weak and vulnerable. Signs of decay, moisture damage, multiple cracks, and erosion in different parts of the castle are visible. This level of damage has limited visitors to only being able to see the courtyard of the castle during their visit, while other sections such as the upper floors are not accessible for visitation due to the castle’s inability to bear heavy weight. Additionally, it should be noted that sometimes the doors of this castle are even closed to visitors during peak seasons.
It is worth mentioning that Shush Castle was registered on the National Heritage List of Iran on October 2, 2001.
Differences of Opinion Regarding the Use of Ancient Bricks in Shush Castle
One of the unique features of Shush Castle is the use of bricks with Ilamian inscriptions in its construction. Some believe that using these bricks is unethical and inappropriate, and it cannot be defended. However, others argue that if these bricks were not used in the walls of the Acropolis Castle, a significant number of them would have been lost by now. Furthermore, the presence of these bricks attracts more visitors to the castle.
The architecture of Shush Castle
But perhaps you would like to know what architecture Shush Castle possesses. This castle was built at the highest point of the city in a staircase-like manner for protective reasons. It has a very large area with a trapezoidal plan. Additionally, the architecture of this castle perfectly aligns with the style of buildings during the medieval era in Europe. The resemblance is to the extent that some historians believe it is similar to the Bastille Castle in Paris, France. The Bastille Castle in Paris was actually a prison known as Bastille Saint-Antoine.
Further Details of Shush Castle
It should be noted that this castle is entirely made of bricks and covered with bricks to enhance its strength. In its architecture, a combination of Iranian and European styles can be observed. Despite the external appearance resembling European castles, the horseshoe arches and arched gateways of the structure are inspired by Iranian architecture. As for the decorations of this castle, it features a fusion of Eastern and European paintings. It is worth mentioning that the two main architects of this castle were from Dezful.
Different Parts of Shush Castle
Shush Castle has two large courtyards, along with three entrances, one of which is blocked. The main entrance of the castle is located on the eastern side and leads to the main courtyard through a doorway next to the tower. From there, it is connected to the main courtyard through stairs. The inner part of this castle is surrounded by a corridor. The corridor has several rows of rooms, all opening to the courtyard. Other sections of the castle, such as the kitchen, dining hall, and storage rooms, were located on the eastern side of the structure.
The second floor of the building added later, had a sloping roof and iron windows. It served as a dining hall. Additionally, in three interconnected rooms on the eastern side, after the kitchen, wall paintings inspired by art from Mesopotamia, especially Assyria and Iran, during the Qajar period, can be seen. Opposite the entrance to the upper courtyard, before the start of the stairs, there is a room that forms part of the courtyard, and it was used to store treasures and artifacts discovered from the ancient mound of Shush.
Shush Castle has four watchtowers in its northern corners, each with a special purpose in the past. The northwest tower is square-shaped, and the northeast tower is circular and has a domed roof. The northwest tower was used as a pigeon house. One of the courtyards of this castle is higher than the others, and beneath it, there are two basement-like spaces. At the highest part of the castle, there is a glass room known as the “Kolah-Farangi” (foreign hat), but its exact purpose remains unknown to this day.
In addition, the lower south courtyard has dual entrances that lead to a sloping pathway and stairs on the other side. The western and eastern terraces of the castle were added to strengthen and support the main walls during the Qajar period.
Artifacts of Shush Castle
Among the artifacts that have remained in Shush Castle from archaeological excavations are a water distillation device (likely used for developing and printing analog photos), a press and manual drill for various uses, a Land Rover machine, a manual jack for lifting heavy objects in the ancient Shush site, a coal blower for increasing coal heat, and a four-wheel cart and a manual elevator.
How to get to Shush Castle?
If you are traveling from Ahvaz to Shush Castle, you should head north and reach the city of Shush via the Ahvaz-Shush highway. After driving 115 kilometers on this route, make a U-turn and enter Imam Khomeini Boulevard from the right side. Continue straight after the first two squares and take a left turn a few meters after the second square. Choose the left path at the upcoming intersection. Proceed straight to the next square and then, a few meters ahead on the right side, you will reach the castle.
If you are traveling from Dezful to Shush Castle, head southwest and enter the Dezful-Safiabad road. After a few kilometers, enter the Ahvaz-Shush highway from the right side. Continue on this route until you reach the Ahvaz-Shush highway. After entering this highway, make the first U-turn and continue the remaining journey according to the instructions mentioned above to reach the castle.
Best Time to Visit Shush Castle
The city of Shush has an extremely hot climate, so the best time to visit this castle is during the cooler seasons of the year, namely spring, autumn, and winter.
Tourist Attractions near Shush Castle
Some of the tourist attractions located close to this castle include the Tomb of Daniel the Prophet, the Shush Museum, Apadana Palace, Shavur Palace (Palace of Ardeshir II), and the Chogha Zanbil Ziggurat.
Final words
Shush Castle, also known as the French Castle, is located in the ancient city of Shush in the Khuzestan province. It is a testament to the excavations carried out by French archaeologists in this ancient region during the Qajar period. The castle was built to accommodate and protect the discovered artifacts in the ancient mound of Shush and has gradually transformed into a museum. However, today visitors can only explore the courtyard of the complex. If you are visiting the Shush archaeological site, don’t miss the opportunity to visit this medieval castle.
FAQ
- What is the historical significance of this Castle?
the Castle is historically significant due to its location in the ancient city of Susa, which was the capital of the Elamite Empire and an important city in the Achaemenid and Sassanian empires. The castle was built by French archaeologists in the late 19th century to protect the archaeological excavations and findings in the area.
- What architectural styles are represented in the Castle?
Shush Castle combines elements of Persian, Elamite, and French architectural styles. The castle’s construction utilized materials from the ancient ruins of Susa, including bricks and stones from the Achaemenid and Elamite periods. Key features include fortified walls, watchtowers, a central courtyard, and an archaeological museum.
- Who built the Castle and why?
this Castle was built by French archaeologists, led by Jacques de Morgan, in the late 19th century. The primary purpose of the castle was to protect the archaeological excavations and findings in Susa, ensuring their preservation and safeguarding them from potential threats.
- What can visitors see at the Archaeological Museum of this Castle?
The Archaeological Museum of this Castle houses a collection of artifacts and relics from the Elamite, Achaemenid, and Sassanian periods. Key exhibits include Elamite pottery, Achaemenid inscriptions, and Sassanian coins and jewelry.
- How can I visit the Castle?
this Castle is located in the city of Shush, in the Khuzestan province of southwestern Iran. The castle is open to visitors year-round, with guided tours available for those who wish to learn more about its history and significance. Nearby attractions include the ancient ruins of Susa, the Tomb of Daniel, and the Apadana Palace.