Fortresses

The fortress of Rud Khan, in the forests of Alborz (Gilan). Photograph: ©Patrick Ringgenberg.

Of all the historical architectures of Iran, that of the fortresses, often thousands of years old, has undoubtedly been the least studied. The Frenchman Jean-Claude Voisin, author of numerous works, is one of the rare researchers to have produced in-depth studies of a remarkable heritage (Châteaux et forteresses d’Iran, Téhéran, Alhoda, 2014 ; L’architecture militaire dans l’Empire sassanide, Dijon, Centre de castellologie de Bourgogne, 2023).

The imposing Sassanid fortress of Qal’eh-ye Dokhtar, in the province of Fars (3rd century). Photograph: ©Patrick Ringgenberg.

Fortresses perched like eagle’s nests, or locking strategic nodes like bolts, fortified villages or fortified palaces in the heart of cities, not to mention the castles built by the Portuguese in the Persian Gulf in the 16th century, Iran retains an extraordinary range of military architecture. With the exception of certain citadels that are easily accessible because they are located in cities or along busy routes, “classic” tours in Iran do not generally include visits to fortresses, with the exception of Babak Fort in Azerbaijan and the fort of Alamut in the Alborz. To access certain sites, you need long roads, then a more or less long walk (1 hour or more), to enjoy spectacular remains in an often exceptional landscape. Beyond their archaeological interest, the historic fortresses of Iran can inspire trips daring to venture into outlying regions, but no less interesting than Shiraz or Isfahan, and provide access to an authentic and intimate Iran.

For an introduction to the fortresses of Iran:

Fortresses