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Izad-Khast Castle

Izadkhast Castle as seen in August 2018.
IzadkhastShown within Iran
Alternative name	Izadkhast, Yazdkhast, Yazd khast
Location	Izadkhvast, Abadeh County, Iran
Region	Fars province
Coordinates	31°30′58″N 52°07′26″E / 31.51611°N 52.12389°E / 31.51611; 52.12389
Type	Castle
Part of	The Complex of Izadkhast
Height	6-15 metres (20-50 feet)
History
Material	Adobe (World's first adobe castle)
Founded	Sasanid (224-651 AD)
Site notes
Condition	Ruined
Public access	Yes
Architecture
Architectural styles	Sassanid, Qajar dynasty
Designation	on UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List since 2007.

The Izad Khast Castle is located in Izadkhast in the Fars province, central Iran. The castle was built during the Sassanid Empire (224 to 651 AD) and functioned as fortified walled city on the ancient Silk Road that ran through central Iran. It is the second largest adobe building in the world after Arg-e Bam.

The castle is built on a high bedrock overlooking the Izadkhast valley. Inside the castle walls are many narrow alleyways and passages criss-crossing through centuries old tiny houses and buildings.

The castle and surrounding Izadkhast complex has been nominated to the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List on August 9, 2007, in the Cultural category.

Location

The Izad-khast castle is located on the ancient Silk Road between Shiraz and Isfahan. The site is in the middle of nowhere and surrounded by a desert land. But a high singular bedrock overlooking a valley was an ideal location for the development of a fortified desert city in the middle of nowhere.

The Izadkhvast castle is built on this singular bedrock that juts out to the Izadkhast valley. The valley around it functions as a natural deep trench. Castle fortification walls have been built around the bedrock, tall and almost perpendicular, ranging from 6 to 15 meters on three sides. On the fourth and shorter side of the bedrock, a 30-meter (100 feet) long trench had been dug. The trench is 4 meters across and 4 meters deep. Access to the castle was over the trench, through a small bridge and a gate.

The site's natural topography and added fortifications made the castle one of the most unattainable buildings of the ancient times for robbers and enemies.

On the valley below the castle bedrock are rocky fields, with a barren plateau behind. The Izadkhast caravanserai roadside inn stands alone in this valley, in the middle of a rocky field.

History

The history of the castle complex dates back to the pre-Islamic era of Iran. Izad-Khast is a Sassanid castle, built during the Sassanid Empire (224 to 651 AD) which ruled Persia (Iran) and many parts of the surrounding countries. It was then used, added and improved on until Qajars era (1794 to 1925). This has left works inside the castle belonging to different periods from Sassanids to Qajars with different architectural styles.

The fire temple of Izad Khast Castle from the Sassanid era was turned into a mosque after the advent of Islam to Iran.

The castle and complex are now completely abandoned. However until the turn of the millennium there were still people living in the old quarters of Izadkhast. Floods in recent years destroyed many homes and forced people to move from this isolated, ancient desert citadel.

Theodore Bent and his wife celebrated the festival of Nowruz in the town in 1889.

Architecture

In location and form of construction the castle display unique characteristics. However the material wise its comparable to the Citadel of Bam, Rayen and other sites nearby in Yazd and Kerman provinces. The architecture of Izadkhast castle is very similar to the more feted Citadel of Bam. The Izad-Khast castle like the Citadel of Bam is a sand construction, made of adobe.

The castle is a Sassanid (224 to 651 AD) structure, but the interior has seen modifications and new structures added later on. Structures like a mosque and a bathroom are later additions.

Most of the homes in the castle interior are built from wood and mud. Size limitations of the bedrock led to an agglomeration of smaller rooms and increase of floors. Some of the buildings inside the castle rose as high as five storeys. It is impressive in itself but becomes a remarkable architectural achievement considering the circumstances of its time.

The Izadkhast Caravanserai was built during the Safavid dynasty era (1502 – 1736).

Threats

Many parts of the Izadkhast castle are crumbling due to erosion and flooding. Many homes even beside the castle front gate have been completely destroyed.

The castle is also in danger from treasure hunters and vandalism. Inside the walled city, there are signs of damage from treasure hunters and graffiti on the walls.

Gallery

• Entrance of the castle.
• part of the old castle.
• Ruins of the old town
• The drawbridge of the castle
• Safavid-period bridge
• Samanid caravanserai near the castle of Izadkhast.

See also

• Complex of Izadkhast
• Izadkhast Caravanserai
• List of World Heritage Sites in Iran

References

1. ^ "Izadkhast Fortress". historicaliran.blogspot.com. Retrieved 23 September 2018.
2. ^ "Izad Khast Castle – Abadeh". travital.com. Archived from the original on Jul 18, 2023. Retrieved 23 September 2018.
3. "Izadkhast Fortress". HISTORICAL IRANIAN SITES AND PEOPLE. Archived from the original on Dec 11, 2023. Retrieved 23 September 2018.
4. Centre, UNESCO World Heritage. "The Complex of Izadkhast". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Archived from the original on Jun 21, 2023. Retrieved 2024-04-17.
5. "Caravanserai as cultural crossroads along the Silk Roads: Iran's Izadkhast". chasingtheunexpected.com. Retrieved 24 September 2018.
6. J.T. Bent, New Year’s Day in a Persian Village, English Illustrated Magazine, 1890, Vol. 76 (Jan), pp. 326–331.

v t e Iranian architecture
Periods	Pre-Islamic Achaemenid Parthian style Sasanian Islamic Early Islamic Seljuk Ilkhanid Timurid Safavid
Types	Bazaars Caravanserais Khaneqah Mosques Takyeh
Elements	Ab anbar Andaruni Biruni Burj Chahartaq Dalan e Vorudi Gonbad Hashti Howz Imamzadeh Iwan Kariz Kucheh Panjdari Persian Garden (hayāt) Qanat Sahn Shabestan Talar Windcatchers Yakhchāl
Traditional cities	Amol Andijan Baku Bam Bukhara Ctesiphon Derbent Ganja Gur-e-Amir Hatra Herat Isfahan Kashan Kashmar Khiva Khorramabad Mashhad Merv Nakhchivan Nishapur Persepolis Qazvin Qom Samarkand Shahrisabz Shiraz Susa Tabriz Takht-e Soleymān Tehran Yazd
Theory and analysis	Islamic architecture Traditional Persian residential architecture Traditional water sources of Persian antiquity
Lists	Architects of Iran Args, castles, and ghal'ehs List of ab anbars of Qazvin List of mosques List of ziyarat-gahs

v t e Fars province, Iran
Capital	Shiraz
Counties and cities	Abadeh County Abadeh Bahman Izadkhvast Soghad Surmaq Bakhtegan County Abadeh Tashk Arsanjan County Arsanjan Beyza County Beyza Bavanat County Surian Chenar Shahijan County Qaemiyeh Darab County Darab Jannat Shahr Eqlid County Eqlid Sedeh Estahban County Estahban Ij Runiz Evaz County Evaz Bidshahr Fishvar Farashband County Farashband Dehram Nujin Fasa County Fasa Now Bandegan Sheshdeh Zahedshahr Firuzabad County Firuzabad Meymand Gerash County Gerash Arad Jahrom County Jahrom Duzeh Qotbabad Kavar County Kavar Kazerun County Kazerun Baladeh Khesht Konartakhteh Nowdan Kharameh County Kharameh Khonj County Khonj Khorrambid County Safashahr Qaderabad Lamerd County Lamerd Ahel Alamarvdasht Eshkanan Chah Varz Larestan County Lar Beyram Banaruiyeh Juyom Khur Latifi Mamasani County Nurabad Khumeh Zar Marvdasht County Marvdasht Kamfiruz Ramjerd Seyyedan Mohr County Mohr Asir Galleh Dar Varavi Neyriz County Neyriz Meshkan Qatruyeh Pasargad County Saadat Shahr Qir and Karzin County Qir Efzar Karzin Rostam County Masiri Sarchehan County Korehi Sarvestan County Sarvestan Sepidan County Ardakan Hamashahr Zarqan County Lapui Zarqan Shiraz County Shiraz Darian Zarrin Dasht County Hajjiabad Dowbaran Shahr-e Pir Khafr County Bab Anar Khavaran
Landmarks	Afif-Abad Garden Amir's dam Arg of Karim Khan Barmdelak lagoon Bishapur Delgosha Garden Eram Garden Nazar Garden Istakhr Ghal'eh Dokhtar Ka'ba-ye Zartosht Kazerun fire temple Lake Parishan Naqsh-e Rajab Naqsh-e Rustam Palace of Ardashir Sangtarashan cave Pars Museum Pasargadae Persepolis Qavam House Qur'an Gate Saadi's mausoleum Sarvestan Sassanian palace Shah Cheragh Colossal Statue of Shapur I in Shapur cave Tangeh Bolaghi Tomb of Ali ibn Hamzah, Shiraz Hāfezieh Tomb of Seyed Alaeddin Husayn Tounbbot Vakil Bath Vakil Bazaar Vakil Mosque
Populated places	List of cities, towns and villages in Fars Province

v t e Castles in Iran
East Azerbaijan	Arg of Tabriz Avarsin Castle Babak Fort Bakhtak Leylan Castle Dokhtaran Castle Hulagu Khan Castle Poshtab Castle Jushin Castle Kordasht Castle Naryn Castle, Sardrud Razliq Castle Sen Sarud Castle Qal'eh Dokhtar, Mianeh Qal'eh Dokhtar, Khosrowshah Qal'eh Dokhtar, Qez Qaleh Qiz Castle, Osku Qiz Castle Daghi Zahhak Castle Sherbit Castle Dag Castle
West Azerbaijan	Takht-e Soleymān Chehriq Dimdim Castle Kafar Qaleh Si Qiz Castle, Khoy Kol Kharabeh Castle Asgarabad Castle
Isfahan	Abyaneh Arg of Murcheh Khvort Ali Ahmad Domab Castle Atashgah Castle, Qehi Bayazeh Castle Gouged Stronghold Qurtan Castle Jalali Castle Naryn Castle, Nain Karshahi Castle Kheshti Castle Tarq Castle Tabreh Castle Yengejeh Castle Qal'eh Bozi Qunakh Qiran Castle Shojaabad Castles Murchan Castle Qameshlu Castle Ab Sefid Ab Castle Khanabad Castle
Ardabil	Bar Bar Castle Buyni Yugun Castle Div Castle Golshekanan Castle Kohneh Qal'eh, Meshginshahr Naryn Castle, Ardabil Khosrow Castle Owltan Castle Qahqaheh Castle Qal'eh Dokhtar, Bileh Savar Qez Qaleh Si, Abadeh Qez Qaleh Si, Bileh Savar
Alborz	Gabaran Castle Gahur Castle Falis Castle
Bushehr	Agha Khan Liravi-ye Castle Bardestan Castle Kalat Ahram Castle Borazjan Castle Khormoj Castle Nasori Castle Zendan Castle Dutch Castle Hesar Castle
Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad	Kak Kahzad Castle, Dana
Golestan	Jiq Qareh Tapeh Daz castle Qiz Castle Kondeskuh Sar Tapeh Castle
Gilan	Bandbon Castle Chimarud Castle Rudkhan Castle Lisar Castle Kalisham Castle Tak Aghaj Castle Shindan Castle Ispahbudhan Castle Shah Neshin Gorj Castle
Tehran	Firuzkuh Castle Gabri Castle, Ray Iraj Castle Rashkan Castle Rey Castle Deh Shad Castle Ammameh Castle Kheyrabad Castle
Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari	Ardal Castle Dezak Castle Junqan Castle Chaleshtar Castle Faradonbeh Castle
North Khorasan	Arg of Alma Dushen Belqeys Castle Bidvaz Castle Jalal al-Din Castle Gurkanan Castle Kohneh Castle, Nuk Kohneh Castle, Nasrabad Kohneh Castle, Kariz Dar Kohneh Castle, Guren Kohneh Castle, Ardein Kohneh Castle, Agdash Qasem Khan Castle Sangar Castle Qelich Castle Kafar Qaleh, Esfarayen Qazlar Qaleh Kafaran Castle Qoshun Castle Qarloq Castle Arg Bala Castle
Razavi Khorasan	Arg of Kashmar Atashgah Castle Bezanjerd Castle Gabar Hesar Castle Rig Castle Bardarud Castle Mikal Castle Mojahedabad Castle Kohneh Castle, Zendeh Jan Nameq Castle Qal'eh Dokhtar, Doruneh Qal'eh Dokhtar, Khooshab Qal'eh Dokhtar, Kuhsorkh Qal'eh Dokhtar, Shurab Rahmanniyeh Castle Tus Citadel Zibad Castle Forud Castle Kondor Castle Kohneh Qal'eh, Zafaraniyeh
South Khorasan	Arg of Kolah Farangi Arg of Tabas Chehel Dokhtar Castle, Qaen Bidesgan Castle Shahdiz Birjand Castle Howgend Castle Howz Gholam Kesh Castle Rostam Castle Rostam Castle, Khusf Furg Citadel Khvor Castle Khanik Castle Kol Hassan Sabbah Castle Kuh Qaen Castle Kuh Zardan Castle Qal'eh Dokhtar, Ferdows Qal'eh Kuh of Ferdows Qadamgah Castle Qala Castle, Shadan Qala Castle, Nowzad Qala Castle, Mud Qala Castle, Chahkand Qala Castle, Sarayan Qala Castle, Ark Azizabad Castle Raqqeh Castle Yahn Castle Nowferest Castle Nughab Castle Masen Castle Kuh Shakhen Castle Kamar Qala Castle Aliabad Castle, Birjand Dezh Estakhr Castle Qal'eh Dokhtar, Mark Qal'eh Dokhtar, Asiab Khorashad Castle Chahkanduk Castle Babuk Castle Asu Castle
Khuzestan	Arrajan Castle Mahtabi Castle Shush Castle Selasal Castle Kuran Castle Razeh Castle Hosseini Castle Bardel Castle Garmez Castle Kazhdom Castle School Castle 1
Kurdistan	Ziwiyeh Castle Kani Now Castle Qomchoqay castle Qujileh Castle Shargeh Castle Surin Castle Do Sineh Castle Barvish Kani Castle Aghli Beg Castle Kan shir Kesh Olya Castle Qala Qureh Castle Qadimi Castle Salavatabad Castle Khan Baghi Castle Akh Kand Bala Castle Akh Kand Pain Castle
Semnan	Estanavand Naruheh castle Gerdkuh Saru Castles Shir Qal'eh Pa Deh Castle Kafar Castle Kafar Qaleh, Mehdishahr Mansur Kuh Castle Mehrnegar Castle Zard Castle
Sistan and Baluchestan	Bampur Castle Baloch Got castle Chanef Castle Espakeh Castle Firuzabad Castle Irandegan Castle Heriduk Castle Timur Castle Tis Castle Ramrud Castle Sam Castle, Hamun Sarbaz Castle Seh Kohye Castle Sib and Suran Castle Nik Shahr Castle Kak Kahzad Castle, Hamun Machi Castle Pirouz Got Castle Daman Castle Chehel Dokhtaran castle Chehel Dokhtar Castle, Iranshahr Espidezh Castle Abtar Castle Naseri Castle
Fars	Arg of Karim Khan Ashpaz Khaneh Zahhak castle Azhdeha Peykar Castle Gachi Castle Qal'eh Dokhtar Izad-Khast Castle Tabar Castle Mazayjan Castle Qal'eh Dokhtar, Bishapur Hamzehkhani Castle Puskan Castle Parvizeh Evaz Castle Angosht Gabri Castle Eshkanan Castle S.P.R (Castle) Gabri Dehdaq Castle Do Qolleh Castle Qalat Castle, Kavar Qalat Castle, Qir and Karzin Mehr Ali Farsi Castle Kohneh Castle, Jafarabad Kafarha Castle Qal'eh Dokhtar, Estahban Qalat Khawari Castle Gud Qalat Castle Afrasiab Khan Castle Shah Neshin Castle Simakan Castle Tutangi Meseh Castle Tang Lorun Castle Bazm Castle Sarvestan Palace
Qazvin	Alamut Castle Sasan Castle Semiran Castle Shirkuh Castle Meimoon Ghal'eh Lambsar Castle Maymun-Diz Kafar Qaleh, Qazvin Kuchar Castle Lawajik Castle Qari Daqu Castle Faizabad Castle
Qom	Qal'eh Dokhtar, Qom Geli Castle Mozaffarabad Castle Qermez Castle Qomrud Castle Samabad Castle Zar Bolagh Castle Qiz Castle, Jamkaran
Kerman	Anar Castle Kohneh Castle, Shaab Jereh Qal'eh Dokhtar, Kerman Arg-e Bam Qal'eh Dokhtar II Shafiabad Castle Hoshoun Castle Davudabad Castle Manujan Castle Ardeshir Castle Keshit Castle Rayen Castle Sang Castle Semoran Castle Qahqah Castle Qanj Ali Khan Afshar Castle Ziaratgah Castle Ganj Ali Khan Castle Remuk Castle Doran Castle Bahaabad Castle Deh-e Khvajeh Castle Malekabad Zakht Castle Dashtab Castles Esfandaqeh Castle
Kermanshah	Ban Qaleh Bard Zanjir Castle Maryam Castle Sarmaj Castle Yazdegerd Castle, Zardeh Shian Castle Sar Firuzabad Castle Akbar Khan Castle
Mazandaran	Arudasht Lar Castle Chehel Dar Castle Malek Bahman Castle Markuh Castle Kangelo Castle Poulad Castle Owlad Castle Molk Kioumars Castle Palangan Castle Shah Neshin Asiab Sar Castle Kati Abu ol Hasan Kola Castle
Markazi	Qal'eh Dokhtar, Saveh Jamshidi Castle Milajerd Castle Moghuyeh Castle Khandan Bahadori Castle Haj Wakil Castle
Lorestan	Arbabi Castle Azna Castle Bajul Ab Barik Castle Bajul Castle Rumyan Castle Nakam Castle Shapur Khast Aq Bolagh Castle Deh Kord Castle
Ilam	Abdanan Castle Hezar Darb Castle Sam Castle, Chardavol Sheikh Makan Fort Valy Castle Mir Ghulam Hashemi Castle Posht Qaleh Chavar Qala Qiran Castle Kolm Castle Chavar Qala Castle Chakor Buli Chavar Castle Tut Castle Pur Ashraf Sheykh Makan Castle Panj Berar Murmuri Castle Posht Qaleh Abdanan Castle Paqala Hezarani Castle Anjir Dehloran Castle Ismail Khan Castle Hezarani Castle Qala Castle Nu Guria Castle Shemiran Castle
Hormozgan	Aamaj Castle Siba Castle Siba Castle Fin Castle Hezareh Castle Tawseelah Castle Leshtan Castle Fort of Our Lady of the Conception Qeshm Castle Khamir Castle Laft Castle Ilud Castle Qalat Castle, Bastak Larak Castle Kuhij Castle Kamiz Castle Qalat Jenah Castle Fatuyeh Castle Didehban Castle Hajjiabad Castle Kong Portuguese Castle Rudbar Castle Dulab Castle Khan Bastak Castle Eshgaft-e Moneh Castle
Hamadan	Ardalan Castle Chobin Castle Nahavand Castle Noushijan Saheb Ekhtiarieh Castle Hasan Abdal Castle
Yazd	Sefid Castle, Nadushan Naryn Castle, Meybod Baqerabad Castle Hoseynabad Castle Khavidak Castle Sar Yazd Fortress Kharanaq Castle Khosrowabad Castle Ernan Castle Shavvaz Castle Reshkuiyeh Castle Robat Castle Pahlavan Badi Castle Rahmatabad Castle Marvast Castle Abarndabad Castle Mehrjerd Castle Mehrpadin Castle Haruni Castle Sonni Castle Roknabad Castle Tizak Castle Bedaf Castle Bagh Tirjerd Castle Ardi Castle Ahmadabad Castle Sarv-e Olya Castle Sarv-e Sofla Castle Zardak Castle Chah Nu Castle Chah Afzal Castle Allahabad Castle Asil Castle Deh Asgar Castle Chowgan Castle Aliabad Castle, Pish Kuh
Zanjan	Abhar Castle Aghur Castle Behestan Castle Biuk Khan Castle Hoz Leh Castle Navader Castle Sarv-e Jahan Castle Soltaniyeh Castle Qezlar Qaleh Si castle Qizlar Qaleh Si castle Qiz Castle Si Aq Qaleh Golabar Castle
Also See: Castles in Iran

v t e Sasanian castles
Azerbaijan	Baku Chirag Gala Maiden Tower Nakhchivan Yazdegerd Castle
Georgia	Lazica Onoguris
Iraq	Diyala Qal'at Sefid
Iran	Ardabil Kohneh Qal'eh, Meshginshahr Qez Qaleh Si, Bileh Savar Qunakh Qiran castle Bushehr Zendan castle East Azerbaijan Province Babak Fort Dag Castle Hulagu Khan Castle Jushin Castle Poshtab Castle Qiz Castle Daghi Fars Angosht Gabri Castle Ashpaz Khaneh Zahhak Castle Azhdeha Peykar Castle Gud Qalat Castle Izad-Khast Castle Parvizeh Evaz Castle Puskan Castle Qal'eh Dokhtar Qal'eh Dokhtar, Bishapur Qalat Castle, Kavar Qalat Castle, Qir and Karzin Qalat Khawari Castle Sarvestan Palace Shah Neshin Castle Tang Lorun Castle Tutangi Meseh Castle Gilan Rudkhan Castle Hamadan Chobin Castle Nahavand Castle Hormozgan Aamaj Castle Dulab Castle Eshgaft-e Moneh Castle Siba Castle Tawseelah Castle Ilam Abdanan Castle Anjir Dehloran Castle Guria Castle Heliveh Castle Hezarani Castle Hezar Darb Castle Paqala Hezarani Castle Posht Qaleh Abdanan Castle Sheikh Makan Fort Shemiran Castle Isfahan Abyaneh Bayazeh Castle Karshahi Castle Qal'eh Bozi Qurtan Castle Tabreh Castle Kerman Ardeshir Castle Arg of Anar Qahqah Castle Rayen Castle Sang Castle Kermanshah Ban Qaleh Maryam Castle Sar Firuzabad Castle Sarmaj Castle Khuzestan Arrajan Castle Castle of Oblivion Garmez Castle Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province Kak Kahzad Castle, Dana Lorestan Falak-ol-Aflak Markazi Jamshidi Castle Qal'eh Dokhtar, Saveh Mazandaran Kangelo Castle Malek Bahman Castle Owlad Castle North Khorasan Province Belqeys Castle Sangar Castle Qazvin Lambsar Castle Meimoon Ghal'eh Semiran Castle Shirkuh Castle Qom Qal'eh Dokhtar, Qom Qiz Castle, Jamkaran Razavi Khorasan Atashgah Castle Qal'eh Dokhtar, Shurab Tus Citadel Semnan Shir Qal'eh Sistan and Baluchestan Province Bampur Castle Chehel Dokhtar Castle, Iranshahr Chehel Dokhtaran castle Kak Kahzad Castle, Hamun Mount Khajeh Pirouz Got Castle South Khorasan Rostam Castle, Khusf Tehran Gabri castle Iraj Castle West Azerbaijan Takht-e Soleymān Yazd Abarndabad castle Bedaf Castle Haruni Castle Khavidak Castle Naryn Castle, Meybod Sar Yazd Fortress Shavvaz Castle Zanjan Behestan Castle
Oman	Al Batinah Region Nakhal Fort
Russia	Dagestan Naryn Kala Castle
Saudi Arabia	Qatif Qal'at al-Qatif
Also See: Sasanian castles

• Architecture in Iran
• Sasanian castles
• Buildings and structures in Fars province
• Castles in Iran
• National works of Iran