Qal'eh Dokhtar

Atashgah Castle
قلعه آتشگاه
Dezh-e Dokhtar, or "The Maiden's Castle," Iran, built by Ardashir I in AD 209, before he was finally able to defeat the Parthian empire
Qal'eh Dokhtar is located in Continental Asia
Qal'eh Dokhtar
Location within Continental Asia
Qal'eh Dokhtar is located in Iran
Qal'eh Dokhtar
Location within Iran
General information
TypeCastle
Architectural style
Sasanian
LocationFiruzabad, Iran
Coordinates28°55′15″N 52°31′48″E / 28.92083°N 52.53000°E / 28.92083; 52.53000
Sassanid Archaeological Landscape of Fars Region
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Interactive map of Sassanid Archaeological Landscape of Fars Region
LocationIran
CriteriaCultural: (ii), (iii), (v)
Reference1568
Inscription2018 (42nd Session)
Area639.3 ha (1,580 acres)
Buffer zone12,715 ha (31,420 acres)

Qal'eh Dokhtar, Ghale Dokhtar, Dokhtar Castle or Dezh Dokhtar (Persian: دژ دختر, lit. 'Maiden Castle') is a castle built by Ardashir I in present-day Fars, Iran, in 209 AD. It is located on a mountain slope near the route connecting the cities of Firuzabad and Kavar.[1][2] It is important in the field of Sasanian archaeology and is one of the eight designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites of the Sassanid Archaeological Landscape of Fars Region.

Name

The name of the castle implies it was dedicated to the Goddess Anahita, to whom the term "Maiden" refers.

Location

The castle is built on a high bluff which overlooks the river and roadway running south from Fars. The site was likely chosen since it controls the main access point to the city of Firuzabad, or Ardashir-Khwarrah, which was founded by Ardashir I around the same time.[3]

Specification

It was presumably roofed by an arched vault. Beyond this there are steps to a third level and a large rectangular room with ¼ circle squinches at each corner supporting a domed roof. This was buttressed by very thick walls on all sides, presumably to ensure its stability, and the cupola could be reached by a spiral staircase on the south side.[4]

The 1,800-year-old castle has lost some four meters of its original height over the last century and experts warn if urgent measures are not taken to enforce it, the castle may soon collapse.[5]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Huff, Dietrich (2006). "QALʿA-YE DOḴTAR". iranicaonline.org. Retrieved 2017-02-03.
  2. ↑ "Qal'eh Dokhtar". itto.org. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
  3. ↑ "Firuzabad/Qal'eh Dōkhtar – Iran Gazetteer". Retrieved 2026-07-13.
  4. ↑ "مرمت قلعه‌ دختر فيروزآباد تا پايان تيرماه". Iranian Students' News Agency. 9 July 2017. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
  5. ↑ "ابلاغ ایجاد شهرستان کوهسرخ در استان خراسان رضوی". Islamic Republic News Agency. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
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