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Takht-e Soleymān

تخت سلیمان
The crater at Takht-e Soleymān
Shown within Iran
Location	West Azerbaijan, Iran
Coordinates	36°36′11″N 47°14′09″E / 36.603171°N 47.235949°E / 36.603171; 47.235949
Type	Settlement
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Official name	Takht-e Soleyman
Type	Cultural
Criteria	i, ii, iii, iv, vi
Designated	2003 (27th session)
Reference no.	1077
Region	Asia-Pacific

Takht-e Soleymān (Persian: تخت سلیمان, lit. 'Throne of Solomon') or Adur Gushnasp, is an archaeological site in West Azerbaijan, Iran dating back to Sasanian Empire. It lies midway between Urmia and Hamadan, very near the present-day town of Takab, and 400 km (250 mi) west of Tehran.

The fortified site, which is located on a hill created by the outflow of a calcium-rich spring pond, was recognized as a World Heritage Site in July 2003. The citadel includes the remains of Adur Gushnasp, a Zoroastrian fire temple built during the Sassanid period and partially rebuilt (as a mosque) during the Ilkhanid period. This temple housed one of the three "Great Fires" or "Royal Fires" that Sassanid rulers humbled themselves before in order to ascend the throne. The fire at Takht-i Soleiman was called Adur Gushnasp and was dedicated to the arteshtar or warrior class of the Sasanid. A 4th century Armenian manuscript relating to Jesus and Zarathustra, and various historians of the Islamic period, mention this pond. The foundations of the fire temple around the pond is attributed to that legend. Takht-e Soleyman appears on the 4th century Peutinger Map.

This site got its biblical name after the Muslim conquest of Persia in the 7th century. Folk legend relates that King Solomon used to imprison monsters inside a nearby 100m deep crater which is called Zendan-e Soleyman "Prison of Solomon". Solomon is also said to have created the flowing pond in the fortress.

Archaeological excavations have revealed traces of a 5th-century BC occupation during the Achaemenid period, as well as later Parthian settlements in the citadel. Coins belonging to the reign of Sassanid kings, and that of the Byzantine emperor Theodosius II (AD 408–450), have also been discovered there.

Ilkhanid period of Takht-e Soleyman

Situated in the province of Azerbaijan of northwestern Iran, the remains of the Takht-e Soleyman complex can be found upon a grassy plain, surrounded by a volcanic mountain region. Meaning “the Throne of Solomon” in Persian, Sughurlukh in Turkish, translating to “a place abounding in marmots”, Takht-e Soleyman was built in the thirteenth century under the Ilkhanid dynasty as a summer and hunting palace. Beforehand, the site was a Zoroastrian fire temple, which was the state religion of the Sasanian dynasty, which they built during the fifth century. The Ilkhanid patron, Abaqa Khan (r.1265-82), the second Ilkhan ruler and son of Hülagü, the first ruler of the Ilkhanid dynasty, chose this site for his summer residence partly because of the massive ruins remaining of the old fire temple and Sasanian palace. He could create his complex using the ancient layout and general direction to help dictate his own architectural plan. Choosing this historic site in Iran also legitimized their presence within previous Iranian culture. The Ilkhanids wanted to integrate themselves into the historical Iranian fabric, hence them using the pre-existing and pre-Islamic Sasanian structure to build their own post-Islamic and Mongol inspired complex.

Context

The complex was created during the early phase of the Ilkhanid empire, and was a synthesis of Iranian and Central/Eastern Asian traditions. During the reign of Hülagü, the Ilkhanids experienced great success in continuously conquering lands, so the province of Azerbaijan in Iran and three Iranian cities nearby (Tabriz, Maragha, and Khoi), as well as an ordū (royal encampment) on the Jaghatu river, became the political headquarters for the dynasty now in Iran. This was partially due to the natural advantages of the landscape, with high mountains that sloped to lowland plains, a warm climate around Lake Urmia (the large body of water in the proximity of the complex), and lush, fertile grounds for ideal agriculture. The Ilkhanids were originally used to a nomadic Mongol lifestyle, living in tent encampments as their proper residences. Therefore, families could easily flock to this livable, fertile and safe land to set up their tents. However, now in Iranian land and upon new cultural and architectural influences, Ilkhanid nobility built Takht-e Soleyman, actually settling into the land and incorporating both nomadic and sedentary architecture. Also, Hülagü was focused on conquering Syria and Egypt, so his son wanted to continue his original plan after his father's death. The construction of this site began soon after Abaqa's accession, possibly beginning in 1271, and he decided to stay close to the dynasty's current main headquarters in northwestern Iran, close to Syria and Egypt. Overall, he built this magnificent summer resort for himself, those in the Ilkhanid court living in the nearby city of Maragha and in the Jaghatū ordū. In the end, the site of Takht-e Soleyman was extremely beneficial due to historical, geographical, social, and political reasons.

Influences

The Ilkhanids were not originally an Islamic dynasty, but as they settled into the Iranian lands and established a new kingdom, they needed to adapt. They converted to the main religion of their new territory, and intertwined the established art and architectural traditions of their new home with the traditions of Mongols and those from Eastern Asia. They combined temporary and permanent architecture together, which is evident at Takht-e Soleyman, the only surviving secular structure of the Ilkhanid period. This complex has the tangible ability to show the connection between China and Iran through the layout and decorations. There were polygonal shaped tower structures said to be based on the shape of Mongol tents. There are Chinese motifs such as dragons and phoenix found on rectangular tiles from Takht-e Soleyman, showing the transmission of cultural motifs deliberately chosen by the Ilkhanids. The plan itself is reminiscent of the Mongol headquarters in China, which was inspired by a traditional Chinese city plan, as well as a classic Mongol nomadic camp. This links the Ilkhanid empire to great and powerful dynasties from the East, in a line of dynastic artistic traditions. The activities within Takht-e Soleyman are also similar to those in the pleasure palaces of those in China, where there was plenty room for hunting within the structure's walls, and there was a lake on the palace grounds. The Ilkhanids also conducted administrative and courtly duties within this summer outpost, with many trials, appointments with foreign rulers and courts, celebrations, and enthronements. It was a place for the elite to get away from the busier cities and the wars, a place for retreat filled with colorful decorations, luxuries for the Ilkhanid court and soldiers, and a place for important activities to be fulfilled.

The complex

Takht-e Soleyman, constructed by Ilkhanid ruler Abaqa and later completed by his son Arghun, is an Ilkhanid summer palace situated directly on top of the ruins of the Sassanian sanctuary. The palace is oriented cardinally as in Mongol tradition with the entire complex being surrounded by a fortified ovular wall. Within this wall, the complex consists of a large courtyard with an artificial lake at its center. The entire courtyard is framed by porticoes, four iwan complexes in each cardinal direction, and “several polygonal structures”. Two large rectangular halls are placed in front of the south iwan and connect the surrounding ovular wall with the porticoed courtyard of the palace proper. An audience hall with a large dome is located behind the north iwan on the location of what was the Sassanian fire temple. While the north and south iwans are centered on porticoed walls of the complex, the east and west iwans are placed on the northern edges. The hall behind the west iwan stands between two polygonal structures, specifically octagonal chambers to the south and north of the iwan, which served as the throne room and later as a residence for the Ilkhanid ruler. Plaster remnants on the floor within the west iwan provide evidence that the dome of the southern chamber room was elaborately decorated with muqarnas. The walls of the palace, but specifically the northern chamber attached to the west iwan, were decorated with painted stucco on the upper sections and on the lower sections, the dado, with elaborate luster tiles in the lajvardina technique. These tiled designs consisted mostly of stars and similar geometric shapes and also included heroic figural imagery. There were also friezes across many walls with similar geometric and figural designs in addition to inscriptions. The muqarnas and luster tiles, as well as the painted stucco walls, all demonstrate the importance of lavish decoration of Ilkhanid architecture, especially with palatial structures. Furthermore, Takht-e Soleyman demonstrates the importance the Ilkhanids placed on secular architecture.

Muqarnas ceiling

Excavated from under the ruins of Takht-e Soleyman, specifically in the southern octagonal chamber of the west iwan, is a stucco plate now kept in Tehran at the National Museum of Iran. On this gypsum plate is a muqarnas plan believed to correspond to one quarter of the muqarnas vault of the southern chamber of the west iwan. This muqarnas plate is of the earliest known examples of an Islamic architectural plan for a muqarnas design. Although now broken into several pieces, the design on the plate consists of a geometric grid, 42 cm in length, for a curved muqarnas design. The majority of the design consists of squares, rhombi, and isosceles triangles all arranged along a diagonal axis with the empty upper right corner corresponding to the center of the muqarnas vault. The angles of each element are in multiples of 45° with few exceptions.

Scholars and archeologist of Islamic architecture have made numerous attempts to reconstruct the designs of the muqarnas plate found at Takht-e Soleyman to then understand what the muqarnas might have looked like in the palace. These scholars have based their designs in historical and cultural context by referencing the writings by Islamic mathematician and astronomer Ghiyath al-Din al-Kashi (in which he describes the use, design, and construction of muqarnas), various structures of the same Ilkhanid time period that contain muqarnas (the Great Mosque of Natanz and the tomb of Shaykh Abd al-Samad al-Isfahani of Natanz), previous interpretations of the muqarnas plate (chiefly of experts Ulrich Harb and Mohammad-Ali Jalal Yaghan), as well as the muqarnas traditions used today directly inherited through the traditions of the Ilkhanid period (as with the muqarnas workshops of Fez, Morocco).

Takht-e Soleyman tiles

Tiles found at Takht-e Soleyman are great artistic marks that demonstrate the interaction with and influence from China during the fourteenth century. There were six types of tiles: unglazed, partly glazed, monochrome glazed, luster-painting, Lajvardina (cobalt blue and white), and inglazed Lajvardina. The exterior tiles, including unglazed, partly glazed and monochrome glazed, are shaped as hexagons and composed with reddish clay, with turquoise or blue coloring. The design is inspired by Mongol and Chinese ceramics, mainly from ceramics including dragon or phoenix motifs, and an interwoven line design. On the other hand, interior tiles include the luster-painting, Lajvardina and inglazed Lajvardina. They were white and yellow glazed, and were also usually hexagonal shaped. Regarding design, these tiles included multiple objects with floral, animal and human subjects, such as a horse rider surrounded by a floral arc. Geometric patterns were very prevalent, with the inclusion of interwoven lines, hexagon shaped tiles, and eight-pointed star symbols, deriving from Chinese ceramics that were very popular with Iranian merchants during the fourteenth century. The highly skilled glazing upon the tiles with their surface patterns in blue and white can be followed back to the Islamic city of Baghdad.

Takht-e Soleyman's tile decorations show a mixing of multiple cultures, using artistic traditions from Buddhism, Chinese mythology, and pre-Islam Iran, and the current Islamic world itself. For example, the lotus flower, which is adopted from the Buddhist religion, is often used in floral designs as a symbol for wealth or is viewed as sacred. Secondly, as mentioned before, the dragon was a common motif related with Taoism, Confucianism, and Buddhism. It presented notions of sovereignty, and was viewed as the ancestor of all existing animals. The reinterpretation of a dragon or a lotus flower in an Iranian-Islamic way expanded the diversity of Islamic art in the medieval period. Thirdly, birds can also be seen in the tiles, specifically the crane, symbolizing longevity and wisdom from Chinese mythology. Mongol traditions are reflected in the frequent, deep blue color of the tiles, representing the sky or eternity. Also, there are Mongol scenes of horsemen hunting, expressing their important military matters.

Iranian elements, on the other hand, are also expressed in the Takht-e Soleyman tiles. These are mainly literary themes from the Shahnama, the ‘Book of Kings’. The Shahnama a historical account of Iranian kings and mythological matters through the use of calligraphy and illustrations. For example, a tile has an image of Faridun, one of the legendary pre-Islamic Iranian kings, seen defeating the tyrant Zahhak. There is a tile with an image of Bahram V, who reigned in the 5th century in the Sassanian dynasty, shown hunting deer with Azada, his slave. Another scene is explained with calligraphy using a luster painting of Rustam (a famous Iranian warrior frequently included in the Shahnama) killing his son, Sohrab. Using stories and images from the Shahnama contributes to the integration of the Ilkhanid king into Iranian history, showing how Mongols are not just foreigners, but successors of Iran. There are also religious themes on the tiles, presented through Qur’an quotes, mentioning themes from the Shi’a branch of Islam. Many of the tiles were produced by craftsmen who followed the Shi’a path, where a hexagonal, exterior tile has the name ‘Ali’, the Prophet Muhammad's cousin, around the border six times.

The British explorers Theodore and Mabel Bent dug “in front of a mosque” at the site in early May 1889, returning to London later with at least one tile fragment.

Gallery

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• Ruins of Takht-e-Soleyman's gate

See also

• Cities of the Ancient Near East
• Derbent - another Sassanid fortress in the World Heritage List
• Iranian architecture
• List of Iranian castles
• Sassanid Dynasty
• Mount Takht-e Suleyman
• Cave of Daniel (Persian Misplaced Pages)

References

1. Zakeri, Mohsen (1995). Sāsānid Soldiers in Early Muslim Society: The Origins of ʿAyyārān and Futuwwa. Wiesbaden: Otto Harrassowitz. p. 32. ISBN 978-3-447-03652-8.
2. ^ UNESCO World Heritage Centre. "Takht-e Soleyman". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Retrieved 2019-04-30.
3. ^ Akbarnia, Ladan, “Khitā'ī: Cultural Memory and the Creation of a Mongol Visual Idiom in Iran and Central Asia”, Ph.D. diss, Harvard University, 2007. 
4. ^ Huff, Dietrich. “The Ilkhanid Palace at Takht-I Suleyman: Excavation Results”. Edited by Linda Komaroff, in Beyond the Legacy of Genghis Khan. Leiden: BRILL, 2006. Accessed April 5, 2019. ProQuest Ebook Central. Pages 94-110.
5. ^ Blair, Sheila S. “The Ilkhanid Palace.” Ars Orientalis, vol. 23, Freer Gallery of Art, The Smithsonian Institution and Department of the History of Art, University of Michigan, 1993, pp. 239–248.   
6. ^ Dold-Samplonius, Yvonne, and Silvia L. Harmsen. “The Muqarnas Plate Found at Takht-i Sulayman: A New Interpretation.” Muqarnas, vol. 22, University of Heidelberg, 2005, pp. 85-94.   
7. Yalman, Suzan. Based on original work by Linda Komaroff. “The Art of the Ilkhanid Period (1256–1353).” In Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2000.   
8. Osete-Cortina, L., Doménech-Carbó, M., Doménech, A., Yusá-Marco, D., & Ahmadi, H. (2010). Multimethod analysis of Iranian Ilkhanate ceramics from the Takht-e Soleyman palace. Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry, 397(1), p. 323.
9. Masuya, T. (1997). In Soucek P. P. (Ed.), The ilkhanid phase of takht-i sulaiman ProQuest Dissertations Publishing. (564-92).
10. ^ Masuya, T. (1997). In Soucek P. P. (Ed.), The ilkhanid phase of takht-i sulaiman ProQuest Dissertations Publishing.(602-612)
11. Masuya, T. (1997). In Soucek P. P. (Ed.), The ilkhanid phase of takht-i sulaiman ProQuest Dissertations Publishing, pp. 613-14.   
12. “ digging some time in front of a mosque, where we found some fragments of old tiles, we retired to an old bath, a large, dank, vaulted place where the hail came in in the middle of the roof…” (Mabel Bent’s diary entry for c. 4 May 1889, in The Travel Chronicles of Mrs J. Theodore Bent (Vol.3, Oxford, 2010, p.88). This turquoise and cobalt glazed cuerda seca pottery tile fragment was sold at auction in October 2022 for £650 (https://www.roseberys.co.uk/a0566-lot-530528).

External links

• Takhtesoleiman.ir, Official Website
• Unesco.org, Takht-e Soleyman - UNESCO World Heritage Site
• Opera.com, image from Takht-e suleiman
• Irannegah.com, Video from Takht-e Soleyman
• More pictures, Tishineh

v t e World Heritage Sites in Iran
List of World Heritage Sites in Iran
Cultural	The Armenian Monastic Ensembles St. Thaddeus Monastery St. Stepanos Monastery Chapel of Dzordzor Chapel of Chupan Church of the Holy Mother of God Bam and its cultural landscape Behistun Chogha Zanbil Cultural landscape of Maymand Golestan Palace Gonbad-e Qabus Jameh Mosque of Isfahan Naqsh-e Jahan Square Pasargadae Persepolis The Persian gardens Pasargadae Chehel Sotoun Fin Eram Shazdeh Dolatabad Abbasabad Akbarieh Pahlevanpour Shahr-e Sukhteh Sheikh Safi's Tomb Dome of Soltaniyeh Shushtar Historical Hydraulic System Susa Bazaar of Tabriz Takht-e Soleymān The Persian Qanat Ghasabeh Baladeh Zarch Hassan Abad Moshir Goharriz Akbarabad Ghasemabad Moun Vazvan Mozdabad Ebrahimabad Historic city of Yazd Sassanid Archaeological Landscape of Fars Region Qal'eh Dokhtar Ardashir Investiture Relief Victory Relief of Ardashir Ardashir Khurreh Palace of Ardashir City of Bishapur Colossal Statue of Shapur I Shapur cave Sarvestan Palace Trans-Iranian Railway Cultural Landscape of Uramanat The Persian Caravanserai
Natural	Lut Desert Hyrcanian Forests

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 West Azerbaijan province, Iran
List of cities, towns and villages in West Azerbaijan Province
Capital	Urmia
Counties and cities	Bukan County Bukan Simmineh Chaldoran County Siah Cheshmeh Avajiq Chaypareh County Qarah Zia od Din Khoy County Khoy Firuraq Ivughli Mahabad County Mahabad Maku County Maku Bazargan Miandoab County Miandoab Baruq Chahar Borj Naqadeh County Naqadeh Mohammadyar Oshnavieh County Oshnavieh Nalus Piranshahr County Piranshahr Gerd Kashaneh Poldasht County Poldasht Salmas County Salmas Tazeh Shahr Sardasht County Sardasht Mirabad Rabat Shahin Dezh County Shahin Dezh Keshavarz Mahmudabad Showt County Showt Marganlar Yowla Galdi Takab County Takab Urmia County Urmia Nushin Qushchi Serow Silvaneh
Tourism	Teppe Hasanlu Kelashin Stele Bastam Citadel Takht-e Soleymān Lake Urmia Zarrineh River Shalmash Falls St. Mary Church St. Thaddeus Monastery Chapel of Dzordzor St. George Church Jameh Mosque of Urmia Baghchejogh museum and palace Segonbad Ghoutour Bridge
Places	List of cities, towns and villages in West Azerbaijan Province

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

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

• Iran

• Archaeological sites in Iran
• Fire temples in Iran
• Takab County
• World Heritage Sites in Iran
• Sasanian castles
• Castles in Iran
• Architecture in Iran
• Former populated places in Iran
• Tourist attractions in West Azerbaijan province
• History of West Azerbaijan province
• Buildings and structures in West Azerbaijan province
• Solomon