List of castles in Iran explained

Throughout the history of Iran, especially in prehistoric and early history, castles have played an important role in the fortification of the country. They were usually maintained by officials on important routes or cities, and most of them were in unmarked heights with steep slopes or cliffs. Such places have always served as a natural defenses against enemies and offer a panoramic view of the surrounding lands, so cities and surrounding lands can be defended. Most of Iran's castles had springs or wells, except for those that were previously surrounded by water.^[1]

Important castles

!Name!Location!Picture!Notes

Arg-e Bam	Bam		There is no precise archaeological dating of the buildings of the Citadel of Bam. But through historic sources and ancient texts, the first human settlement in the area can be traced back to the fort built by the Achaemenians around 579–323 BC. Some of the citadel's features such as its establishment on a platform combining a natural hilltop and a manmade terrace have been compared by archaeologists to the Achaemenian model of Persepolis. During the Parthian rule, the fort was expanded and became Arg-e-Bam, the Citadel of Bam.^[2]
Alamut Castle	Alamut		The Alamut castle was built by the Justanid ruler Wahsudan b. Marzuban, a follower of Zaydi Shi'ism, around 865 AD.^[3] During a hunting trip, he witnessed a soaring eagle perch down high on a rock.^[4] Realizing the tactical advantage of this location, he chose the site for the construction of a fortress, which was called "Aluh āmū[kh]t" likely meaning "Eagle's Teaching" or "Nest of Punishment".^[5] ^[6] ^[7] Alamut remained under Justanid control until the arrival of the Isma'ili chief da’i (missionary) Hasan-i Sabbah to the castle in 1090 AD, marking the start of the Alamut period in Nizari Isma'ili history.
Atashgah Castle	Kashmar		The location of the castle is strategically interesting. This fort is one of the most prominent and superior ancient forts of Iran in terms of inaccessibility and resistance against invaders and easily competes with the fortifications of Babak Fort in Kaleybar and Alamut Castle in Alamut. This shows that the builders of the castle have carried out extensive field studies to locate it. In total, Atashgah Castle is built on a high rocky cliff and difficult to cross, three sides of which are high and dangerous precipices. Around this cliff, shortly after the precipices, the walls of other high cliffs have re-enclosed it in the form of impenetrable and inaccessible fortifications.^[8] ^[9]
Babak Fort	Kaleybar		The castle, built on 2300–2600 meter heights, surrounded by 400 to 600 meter gorges, is accessed via a long series of broken steps that lead to the top of a hill. Thereafter, the easiest route is a long dirt track. No signs lead to the Castle. At the end of the dirt track, the route turns left. The first sign of the ruins appears on the left, leaving two peaks to cross. The first peak has views of the Castle. After ascending a second peak, with additional ruins, the trail passes sheer cliffs on the right with no railings.
Falak-ol-Aflak	Khoramabad		Falak-ol-Aflak castle is amongst the most important structures built during the Sassanid era. It has been known by a number of names since it was built over 1800 years ago. Recorded names have referred to it as Shapur-Khast or Sabr-Khast fortress, Dezbaz, Khoramabad castle, and ultimately the Falak-ol-Aflak Castle. Under the Pahlavi dynasty, after being used as a prison until 1968, it was transformed into a museum complex.^[10]
Iraj Castle	Asgarabad-e Abbasi		The structure consists of an empty area approximately, surrounded by a wall in width and up to in height. It featured 148 densely spaced towers and four monumental gates. The massive walls contained a wealth of embedded structures: a row of around 828 rooms (circa in size) and hundreds of monumental arches, evoking royal Sasanian architecture. The structure was further protected by a ditch around the wall. A population of 2,000-6,000 could have been accommodated in the walls.^[11] ^[12] ^[13]
Izad-Khast Castle	Izadkhvast		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.^[14] 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.
Rudkhan Castle	Fuman County		Rudkhan Castle sits at the two peaks of a mountain at elevations of 715 and 670 metres and contains strong fortifications and battlements at a length of 1,550 metres. The castle's 42 towers still stand intact.
Rayen Castle	Rayen		it's become an attractive touristic destination. During the reign of third Yazdgerd, the Sasanid King, Arabs could not conquer this city due to its high walls.^[15]
Qal'eh Dokhtar	Firuzabad		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.^[16]
Narin Castle	Meybod		This building has been built as an old fortress with 3 different floors, each for a different class of society. Although all outer gates have been destroyed the inner castle still exists. You can still see some of the outer walls.

List of castles in Iran

This is a list of castles in Iran.

A

Name	Persian name	Location	Founder and Era	Picture
Aamaj Castle	قلعه آماج	Bastak County	Sasanian Empire
Ab Sefid Ab Castle	قلعه آب سفید آب	Kashan County	Safavid dynasty
Abdanan Castle	قلعه آبدانان	Posht Qaleh	Sasanian Empire
Abarndabad Castle	قلعه ابرندآباد	Yazd County	Sasanian Empire
Abhar castle	قلعه ابهر	Abhar County	Historical periods after Islam
Abyaneh	ابيانه	Natanz County	Sasanian Empire
Abtar Castle	قلعه ابتر	Iranshahr County	Qajar dynasty
Afrasiab Khan Castle	قلعه افراسیاب خان	Arsanjan County	Qajar dynasty
Ahmadabad Castle	قلعه احمدآباد	Abarkuh County	Qajar dynasty
Agha Khan Liravi-ye Castle	قلعه آقا خان لیراوی	Deylam County	Qajar dynasty
Aghur Castle	قلعه آغور	Abhar County	Timurid Empire
Allahabad Castle	قلعه الله‌آباد	Ardakan County	Safavid dynasty
Alamut Castle	قلعه الموت	Masoudabad, Qazvin	Before the Medes
Arbabi Castle	قلعه اربابی	Azna County	Qajar dynasty
Ardalan Castle	قلعه اردلان	Tuyserkan County	Qajar dynasty
Ardi Castle	قلعه اردی	Abarkuh County	Qajar dynasty
Arudasht Lar Castle	قلعه آرودشت لار	Amol County	Historical periods after Islam
Aliabad Castle, Birjand	قلعه علی‌آباد	Birjand County	Qajar dynasty
Aliabad Castle, Pish Kuh	قلعه علی‌آباد	Taft County	Historical periods after Islam
Ali Ahmad Domab Castle	قلعه علی احمد دماب	Domab, Isfahan	Qajar dynasty
Ammameh Castle	قلعه امامه	Shemiranat County	Ziyarid dynasty
Ardal Castle	قلعه اردل	Ardal County	Qajar dynasty
Ardeshir Castle	قلعه اردشیر	Kerman	Sasanian Empire
Arrajan Castle	قلعه ارجان	Behbahan	Sasanian Empire
Arg Bala Castle	قلعه ارگ بالا	Bojnord County	Parthian Empire
Arg of Alma Dushen	ارگ آلمادوشن	Bojnord County	Parthian Empire
Arg of Anar	ارگ انار	Anar County	Sasanian Empire
Arg of Karim Khan	ارگ کریم‌خان	Shiraz	Zand dynasty
Arg of Kashmar	ارگ کاشمر‎	Kashmar	Qajar dynasty
Arg of Kolah Farangi	ارگ بیرجند	Birjand County	Qajar dynasty
Arg of Murcheh Khvort	ارگ مورچه خورت	Shahin Shahr and Meymeh County	Ninth century AH
Arg of Tabas	ارگ طبس	Tabas
Arg of Tabriz	ارگ تبریز	Tabriz	Ilkhanate
Arg-e Bam	ارگ بم	Bam, Iran	Achaemenid Empire
Aghli Beg Castle	قلعه اغلی بگ	Baneh County
Akbar Khan Castle	قلعه اکبرخان	Eslamabad-e Gharb County	Chalcolithic
Akh Kand Bala Castle	قلعه آخکند بالا	Bijar County	Middle Ages Historical periods after Islam
Akh Kand Pain Castle	قلعه آخکند پائین	Bijar County	Historical periods after Islam
Anjir Dehloran Castle	قلعه انجیر دهلران	Dehloran County	Sasanian Empire
Angosht Gabri Castle	قلعه انگشت گبری	Sarvestan County	Sasanian Empire
Ashpaz Khaneh Zahhak Castle	قلعه آشپزخانه ضحاک	Fasa County	Parthian Empire
Asil Castle	قلعه اصیل	Ardakan County	Afsharid dynasty
Asgarabad Castle	قلعه عسگرآباد	Urmia County	Qajar dynasty
Asu Castle	قلعه آسو	Birjand County	Timurid Empire
Aq Bolagh Castle	قلعه آقبلاغ	Borujerd County	Qajar dynasty
Aq Qaleh Golabar Castle	قلعه آق قلعه گلابر	Ijrud County	Middle Ages Historical periods after Islam
Avarsin Castle	قلعه آوارسین	Kaleybar County	1st millennium BC
Atashgah Castle	قلعه آتشگاه	Kashmar	Sasanian Empire
Atashgah Castle	قلعه آتشگاه	Qehi	Safavid dynasty
Azna Castle	قلعه ازنا	Azna County	Prehistoric times of ancient Iran
Azhdeha Peykar Castle	قلعه اژدهاپیکر	Lar, Iran	Sasanian Empire
Azizabad Castle	قلعه عزیزآباد	Boshruyeh County	Qajar dynasty

B

Name	Persian name	Location	Founder and Era	Picture
Babak Fort	قلعه بابک	Kaleybar	Sasanian Empire
Babuk Castle	قلعه بابوک	Birjand County	Qajar dynasty
Bahaabad Castle	قلعه بهاءآباد	Zarand County	Safavid dynasty
Bandbon castle	قلعه بندبن	Rudsar County	Hundreds of years ago
Bakhtak Leylan Castle	قلعه بختک لیلان	Leylan
Bampur Castle	قلعه بمپور	Bampur	Sasanian Empire
Ban Qaleh	بان‌قلعه	Qasr-e Shirin County	Sasanian Empire
Baqerabad Castle	قلعه باقرآباد	Bafq County	Qajar dynasty
Bagh Tirjerd Castle	قلعه باغ تیرجرد	Abarkuh County	Qajar dynasty
Bar Bar Castle	قلعه بربر	Onar, Ardabil	9th century
Bard Zanjir Castle	قلعه بردزنجیر	Javanrud County	Parthian Empire
Bardarud Castle	قلعه بردارود	Torshiz (Kashmar)
Bardel Castle	قلعه بردل	Andimeshk County	Safavid dynasty
Bardestan Castle	قلعه بردستان	Bardestan	Qajar dynasty
Bajul Ab Barik Castle	قلعه باجول آب باریک	Aligudarz County	Qajar dynasty
Bajul Castle	قلعه باجول	Aligudarz County	Zand dynasty and Qajar dynasty
Baloch Got Castle	قلعه بلوچ گت	Tis, Iran	1st millennium BC
Barvish Kani Castle	قلعه برویشکانی	Baneh County
Bayazeh Castle	قلعه بیاضه	Khur and Biabanak County	Sasanian Empire
Bazm Castle	قلعه بزم	Bavanat County	Late centuries of post-Islamic historical periods
Bedaf Castle	قلعه بدافت	Abarkuh County	Sasanian Empire
Behestan Castle	قلعه بهستان	Mahneshan County	Sasanian Empire
Belqeys Castle	قلعه بلقیس	Esfarayen	Sasanian Empire
Bezanjerd Castle	قلعه بزنجرد	Bezanjerd	More than 200 years
Bidesgan Castle	قلعه بیدسکان	Bidesgan	Qajar dynasty
Bidvaz Castle	قلعه بیدواز	Bidvaz	Parthian Empire
Birjand Castle	قلعه بیرجند	Birjand	Safavid dynasty
Biuk Khan Castle	قلعه بیوک خان	Abhar County	Timurid Empire
Borazjan Castle	دژ برازجان	Borazjan	Qajar dynasty
Buyni Yugun Castle	قلعه بوینی یوغون	Nir County	Achaemenid Empire

C

Name	Persian name	Location	Founder and Era	Picture
Chah Afzal castle	قلعه چاه افضل	Ardakan County	Safavid dynasty
Chah Nu castle	قلعه چاه نو	Ardakan County	Afsharid dynasty
Chahkanduk castle	قلعه چهکندوک	Birjand County	Qajar dynasty
Chaleshtar castle	قلعه چالشتر	Chaleshtar	Qajar dynasty
Chanef castle	قلعه چانف	Nik Shahr County	Qajar dynasty
Chavar Qala Castle	قلعه چوارقلا	Ilam County
Chakor Buli Chavar Castle	قلعه چکر بولی چوار	Ilam County
Chehel Dar castle	قلعه چهل در	Savadkuh County	13th century
Chehel Dokhtar Castle	قلعه چهل دختر	Iranshahr County	Sasanian Empire
Chehel Dokhtar castle	قلعه چهل دختر	Qaen County	Nizari Ismaili state
Chehel Dokhtaran castle	قلعه چهل دختران	Hamun County	Sasanian Empire
Chehriq	قلعه چهریق	Chahriq-e Olya	Before the Medes
Chimarud castle	قلعه چیمارود	Rudbar County	Nizari Ismaili state
Chobin Castle	قلعه چوبین	Malayer County	Sasanian Empire
Chogha Zanbil	چغازنبیل	Susa	Elam
Chowgan castle	قلعه چوگان	Bafq County	Qajar dynasty

D

Name	Persian name	Location	Founder and Era	Picture
Dag Castle	قلعه داغ	Ahar County	Sasanian Empire
Daman Castle	قلعه دامن	Iranshahr County	Qajar dynasty
Dashtab Castle	قلعه های دشتاب	Baft County	More than 4 centuries
Davudabad Castle	قلعه داوودآباد	Anar County	Safavid dynasty
Deh Asgar Castle	قلعه ده عسگر	Behabad County	Qajar dynasty
Deh Kord Castle	قلعه دهکرد	Borujerd County	Qajar dynasty
Deh Shad Castle	قلعه دهشاد	Shahriar County	Qajar dynasty
Deh-e Khvajeh Castle	قلعه ده خواجه	Rafsanjan County	Late Centuries Historical Periods of Islam
Dezak Castle	قلعه دزک	Dezak	Qajar dynasty
Dezh Estakhr Castle	قلعه دژ استخر	Birjand County	Safavid dynasty and Qajar dynasty
Didehban Castle	قلعه دیده‌بان	Bastak County
Dimdim Castle	قلعه دیمدیم	West Azerbaijan Province	Emirate of Bradost (Rebuilt)
Div Castle	قلعه دیو	Meshginshahr	Urartu
Do Qolleh Castle	قلعه دوقله	Abadeh County	Historical periods after Islam
Do Sineh Castle	قلعه دوسینه	Baneh County
Dokhtaran Castle	قلعه دختران	Maragheh County	Historical periods after Islam
Doran Castle	قلعه دران	Kerman County	Zand dynasty
Dulab Castle	قلعه دولاب	Bastak County	Sasanian Empire
Dutch Castle	قلعه هلندی‌ها	Kharg Island	1748 AD

E

!Name!Persian name!Location!Founder and Era!Picture

Esfandaqeh castle	قلعه اسفندقه	Jiroft County	Pahlavi dynasty
Estanavand Naruheh castle	قلعه استاناوند ناروهه	Garmsar County	Nizari Ismaili state
Eshgaft-e Moneh castle	قلعه اشگفت منه	Bastak County	Sasanian Empire
Eshkanan castle	قلعه اشکنان	Lamerd County	Qajar dynasty
Espakeh castle	قلعه اسپکه	Espakeh	Middle Ages Historical periods after Islam
Espidezh castle	قلعه اسپیدژ	Iranshahr County	Early centuries of historical periods after Islam
Ernan castle	قلعه ارنان	Ernan, Yazd	Qajar dynasty

F

Name	Persian name	Location	Founder and Era	Picture
Falak-ol-Aflak	فلک‌الافلاک	Khorramabad	Sasanian Empire
Falis castle	قلعه فالیس	Taleqan County	Historical periods after Islam
Fathabad castle	قلعه فتح‌آباد	Ekhtiarabad
Fatuyeh castle	قلعه فتویه	Bastak County	Pre-Islamic period
Faizabad castle	قلعه فیض‌آباد	Buin Zahra County	Historical periods after Islam
Fin Castle	قلعه فین	Bandar Abbas County
Firuzabad castle	قلعه فیروزآباد	Sarbaz County	Historical periods after Islam
Firuzkuh castle	قلعه فیروزکوه	Firuzkuh	13th century
Faradonbeh castle	قلعه فرادنبه	Borujen County	Qajar dynasty
Forud Castle	قلعه فرود	Kalat	Parthian Empire
Fort of Our Lady of the Conception	قلعه هرمز	Hormuz Island	Safavid dynasty
Furg Citadel	قلعه فورگ	Furg, Darmian	Afsharid dynasty

G

Name	Persian name	Location	Founder and Era	Picture
Gabar Hesar castle	قلعه گبر حصار	Kuhsorkh County	second to fifth centuries AH
Gabaran castle	قلعه گبران	Savojbolagh County	Historical periods after Islam
Gabri Castle	قلعه گبری	Ray	Sasanian Empire
Gabri Dehdaq Castle	قلعه گبری دهدق	Abadeh County
Gachi castle	قلعه گچی	Arsanjan County
Gahur Castle	قلعه گهور	Eshtehard
Gari Kouh Tower	برج گری کوه	Kuhij
Ganj Ali Khan castle	قلعه گنجعلیخان	Kerman County	Safavid dynasty
Gerdkooh Hills	تپه گردکوه جمنان	Qaem Shahr	Parthian Empire
Gerdkuh	گردکوه	Damghan
Garmez castle	قلعه گرمز	Behbahan County	Sasanian Empire
Geli castle	قلعه گلی	Mohammadabad, Qomrud	Parthian Empire
Golshekanan castle	قلعه گل شکنان	Ardestan County	Safavid dynasty
Gouged Stronghold	ارگ گوگد	Guged
Gud Qalat castle	قلعه گود قلات	Arsanjan County	Sasanian Empire
Guria castle	قلعه گوریا	Eyvan County	Sasanian Empire
Gurkanan castle	قلعه گورکنن	Esfarayen County	Early and middle centuries of post-Islamic historical periods

H

Name	Persian name	Location	Founder and Era	Picture
Haruni castle	قلعه هارونی	Abarkuh County	Sasanian Empire
Hamzehkhani castle	قلعه حمزه خانی	Qir and Karzin County	Qajar dynasty
Haj Wakil castle	قلعه حاج وکیل	Arak	Qajar dynasty
Hajjiabad castle	قلعه حاجی‌آباد	Hajjiabad County	Ilkhanate, Timurid Empire and Safavid Empire
Hasan Abdal castle	قلعه حسن ابدال	Bahar County	Qajar dynasty and Pahlavi dynasty
Heriduk castle	قلعه هریدوک	Nik Shahr County	Qajar dynasty
Heliveh castle	قلعه هلیوه	Abdanan County	Sasanian Empire
Hesar castle	قلعه حصار	Deylam County	Qajar dynasty
Hezar Darb castle	قلعه هزار درب	Abdanan	Sasanian Empire
Hezarani castle	قلعه هزارانی	Abdanan County	Sasanian Empire
Hezareh castle	قلعه هزاره	Minab	Qajar dynasty
Hoseynabad castle	قلعه حسین‌آباد	Taft County	Zand dynasty
Hoshoun castle	قلعه هشون	Baft County	Safavid dynasty
Hosseini castle	قلعه حسینی	Andimeshk County	Safavid dynasty
Howgend castle	قلعه هوگند	Howgend	Qajar dynasty
Howz Gholam Kesh castle	قلعه حوض غلام کش	Birjand County	7th and 8th centuries AH
Hoz Leh castle	قلعه حوض له	Abhar County	Historical periods after Islam
Hulagu Khan castle	قلعه هولاکوخان	Osku County	Sasanian Empire

I

Irandegan_Castle.jpgName	Persian name	Location	Founder and Era	Picture
Ilud castle	قلعه ایلود	Bastak County	Parthian Empire and Safavid dynasty
Iraj Castle	قلعه ایرج	Pishva County	Sasanian Empire
Irandegan castle	قلعه ایرندگان	Deh Qaleh	Qajar dynasty
Ismail Khan castle	قلعه اسماعیل‌خان	Ilam County	Historical periods after Islam
Ispahbudhan castle	قلعه اسپهبدان	Rudbar County	Nizari Ismaili state
Izad-Khast Castle	دژ ایزدخواست	Izadkhast	Sasanian Empire

J

Name	Persian name	Location	Founder and Era	Picture
Jalal al-Din castle	قلعه جلال‌الدین	Jajarm County
Jalali Castle	قلعه جلالی	Kashan	Seljuq dynasty
Jamshidi Castle	قلعه جمشیدی	Nimvar	Sasanian Empire
Jiq Qareh Tapeh Daz castle	قلعه جیق قره تپه داز	Aqqala County	Historical periods after Islam
Junqan castle	قلعه جونقان	Junqan	Qajar dynasty
Jushin castle	قلعه جوشین	Varzaqan County	Sasanian Empire

K

Name	Persian name	Location	Founder and Era	Picture
Kafar castle	قلعه کافر	Garmsar County	Middle Ages and Late Historical Periods of Islam
Kafar Qaleh, Esfarayen	کافر قلعه	Esfarayen County	Parthian Empire
Kafar Qaleh, Mehdishahr	کافرقلعه	Mehdishahr County	Nizari Ismaili state
Kafar Qaleh, Qazvin	کافرقلعه	Qazvin County	Historical periods after Islam
Kafar Qaleh Si	کافرقلعه سی	Salmas County	1st millennium BC
Kafaran castle	قلعه کافران	Raz and Jargalan County	Early and middle centuries of post-Islamic historical periods
Kafarha castle	قلعه کافرها	Estahban County	Middle Ages Historical periods after Islam
Kalat Ahram castle	قلعه کلات اهرم	Ahram	Qajar dynasty
Kalisham castle	قلعه کلیشم	Rudbar County	Iron Age
Kan shir Kesh Olya castle	قلعه کن شیر کش علیا	Bijar County	1st millennium BC
Kani Now Castle	قلعه کانی ناو	Baneh County
Kangelo Castle	قلعه کنگلو	Kangelo	Sasanian Empire
Kati Abu ol Hasan Kola castle	قلعه کتی ابوالحسن‌کلا	Babol County	Historical periods after Islam
Karshahi castle	قلعه کرشاهی	Abuzeydabad	Qajar dynasty
Kamar Qala castle	قلعه کمر قلاع	Birjand County
Kamiz castle	قلعه کمیز	Rudan County	middle of post-Islamic historical periods
Kak Kahzad Castle	قلعه کک کهزاد	Dana County	Sasanian Empire
Kak Kahzad Castle	قلعه کک کهزاد	Hamun County	Parthian Empire and Sasanian Empire
Kazhdom castle	قلعه کژدم	Izeh County	Early centuries of historical periods after Islam
Keshit castle	قلعه کشیت	Keshit, Kerman	Seljuq dynasty
Khamir castle	قلعه خمیر	Bandar Khamir	Qajar dynasty
Khan Baghi castle	قلعه خان باغی	Bijar County	Historical periods after Islam
Khan Bastak castle	قلعه خان بستک	Bastak County	Qajar dynasty
Khanabad castle	قلعه خان‌آباد	Isfahan County	Qajar dynasty
Khanik castle	قلعه خانیک	Ferdows County	Age of Insecurity and the Absence of Security Forces (Nizari Ismaili state)
Khandan Bahadori castle	قلعه خاندان بهادری	Komijan County	Qajar dynasty
Khavidak castle	قلعه خویدک	Khavidak	Sasanian Empire
Kheyrabad Castle	قلعه خیرآباد	Varamin County	Qajar dynasty
Kheshti castle	قلعه خشتی	Nushabad	Seljuq dynasty
Khorashad castle	قلعه خراشاد	Birjand County	11th to 13th centuries AH
Khormoj castle	قلعه خورموج	Khormoj	Qajar dynasty
Khosrow castle	قلعه خسرو	Ardabil County
Khosrowabad Castle	قلعه خسروآباد	Khosrowabad	Qajar dynasty
Kharanaq Castle	قلعه خرانق	Kharanaq
Kol Hassan Sabbah castle	قلعه کل حسن صباح	Sarbisheh County	Nizari Ismaili state
Kol Kharabeh castle	قلعه کل خرابه	Urmia County	1st millennium BC
Kuchar castle	قلعه کوچار	Alborz County	Historical periods after Islam
Kuhij castle	قلعه کوهیج	Bastak County	Safavid dynasty
Kuh Shakhen castle	قلعه کوه شاخن	Birjand County	Seljuk Empire
Kuh Qaen castle	قلعه کوه قائن	Qaen	Nizari Ismaili state
Kuh Zardan castle	قلعه کوه زردان	Zirkuh County	Nizari Ismaili state
Kuran castle	قلعه کوران	Andimeshk County	Safavid dynasty
Khvor castle	قلعه خور	Khvor	Safavid dynasty
Kohneh Castle, Agdash	قلعه کهنه	Esfarayen County	Historical periods after Islam
Kohneh Castle, Ardein	قلعه کهنه	Esfarayen County	Seljuk Empire and Safavid Empire
Kohneh Castle, Guren	قلعه کهنه	Esfarayen County	Middle Ages Historical periods after Islam
Kohneh Castle, Jafarabad	قلعه کهنه	Eqlid County	Prehistoric times of ancient Iran
Kohneh Castle, Nasrabad	قلعه کهنه	Esfarayen County	Late Centuries Historical Periods of Islam
Kohneh Castle, Nuk	قلعه کهنه	Esfarayen County
Kohneh Castle, Kariz Dar	قلعه کهنه	Esfarayen County	Middle Ages Historical periods after Islam
Kohneh castle, Shaab Jereh	قلعه کهنه	Shaab Jereh	Safavid dynasty
Kohneh Castle, Zendeh Jan	قلعه كهنه	Kashmar	1st millennium
Kohneh Qal'eh, Meshginshahr	کهنه‌قلعه	Meshginshahr	Sasanian Empire
Kohneh Qal'eh, Zafaraniyeh	کهنه‌قلعه	Zafaraniyeh	Qajar dynasty
Kong Portuguese castle	قلعه پرتقالیهای کنگ	Bandar Lengeh County	Safavid dynasty
Kolm castle	قلعه کلم	Badreh County	Medes
Kondor castle	قلعه کندر	Kondor
Kordasht castle	قلعه کردشت	Kordasht	Qajar dynasty

L

Name	Persian name	Location	Founder and Era	Picture
Laft castle	قلعه لافت	Qeshm County	Qajar dynasty
Larak castle	قلعه لارک	Larak Island	Safavid dynasty
Lambsar Castle	دژ لمسر	Qazvin	Sasanian Empire
Leshtan castle	قلعه لشتان	Bandar Lengeh County	Ninth century AH
Lawajik castle	قلعه لواجیک	Buin Zahra County	Early centuries of historical periods after Islam
Lisar castle	قلعه لیسار	Lisar	Seljuk Empire

M

Name	Persian name	Location	Founder and Era	Picture
Machi castle	قلعه مچی	Hamun County	Safavid dynasty
Mahtabi castle	دژ مهتابی	Behbahan County	Sasanian Empire
Malek Bahman Castle	قلعه ملک بهمن	Shahandasht	Paduspanids
Malekabad Zakht castle	قلعه ملک‌آباد زاخت	Anbarabad County	Seljuk Empire
Mansur Kuh castle	قلعه منصور کوه	Damghan County	Nizari Ismaili state
Manujan castle	قلعه منوجان	Manujan County
Markuh Castle	قلعه مارکو	Ramsar County
Marvast castle	قلعه مروست	Marvast	Historical periods after Islam
Maryam Castle	قلعه مریم	Sarpol-e Zahab County	Sasanian Empire
Masen castle	قلعه ماسن	Birjand County	Safavid dynasty and Qajar dynasty
Maymun-Diz	میمون‌دژ	disputed; near Alamut Castle
Mazayjan castle	قلعه مزایجان	Zarrin Dasht County
Mehr Ali Farsi castle	قلعه مهر علی فارسی	Eqlid County	Prehistoric times of ancient Iran
Mehrjerd castle	قلعه مهرجرد	Meybod County	Afsharid dynasty and Zand dynasty
Mehrnegar castle	قلعه مهرنگار	Damghan County	Historical periods after Islam
Meimoon Ghal'eh	میمون قلعه	Qazvin	Sasanian Empire
Milajerd castle	قلعه میلاجرد	Komijan County	Historical periods after Islam
Mikal castle	قلعه میکال	Torshiz
Mir Ghulam Hashemi castle	قلعه میرغلام هاشمی	Darreh Shahr County	Pahlavi dynasty
Moghuyeh castle	قلعه مغویه	Bandar Lengeh County	Qajar dynasty
Molk Kioumars castle	قلعه ملک کیومرث	Garmsar County	Historical periods after Islam
Mojahedabad castle	قلعه مجاهد آباد	Torshiz
Mount Khajeh	کوه خواجه	Zabol	Sasanian Empire
Mozaffarabad castle	قلعه مظفرآباد	Qomrud	Qajar dynasty
Murchan castle	قلعه مورچان	Aran va Bidgol County	Buyid dynasty

N

Name	Persian name	Location	Founder and Era	Picture
Nahavand Castle	قلعه نهاوند	Nahavand	Sasanian Empire
Nakam castle	قلعه ناکام	Aligudarz County	Qajar dynasty
Naryn Castle, Ardabil	نارین قلعه	Ardabil
Naryn Castle, Meybod	نارین‌قلعه	Meybod	Sasanian Empire
Naryn Castle, Nain	نارین قلعه	Nain, Iran	Parthian Empire
Naryn Castle, Sardrud	نارین قلعه	Sardrud	1st millennium BC
Nameq Castle	قلعه نامق	Nameq	Before the Mongol conquest
Navader castle	قلعه نوادر	Abhar County	Early centuries of historical periods after Islam
Naseri Castle	قلعه ناصری	Iranshahr	Qajar dynasty
Nasori castle	قلعه نصوری	Bandar Siraf	Qajar dynasty
Nehbandan Citadel	قلعه نهبندان	Nehbandan	Parthian Empire
Nik Shahr castle	قلعه نیکشهر	Nik Shahr	Parthian Empire
Noushijan	نوشیجان	Malayer	Medes
Nowferest castle	قلعه نوفرست	Birjand County	3rd and 4th centuries AH until the Safavid dynasty
Nughab castle	قلعه نوغاب	Birjand County	12th to 14th centuries AH

O

!Name!Persian name!Location!Founder and Era!Picture

Owlad castle	قلعه اولاد	Savadkuh County	Sasanian Empire
Owltan castle	قلعه اولتان	Parsabad	Parthian Empire

P

Name	Persian name	Location	Founder and Era	Picture
Pa Deh castle	قلعه پاده	Pa Deh, Semnan
Pahlavan Badi castle	قلعه پهلوان بادی	Taft County	Ancient Persia
Palace of Ardashir	کاخ اردشیر بابکان	Firuzabad, Fars	Sasanian Empire
Palangan castle	قلعه پلنگان	Behshahr County	Historical periods after Islam
Panj Berar Murmuri castle	قلعه پنج برار مور موری	Abdanan County
Paqala Hezarani castle	قلعه پاقلاع هزارانی	Ilam County	Sasanian Empire
Pirouz Got castle	قلعه پیروز گت	Tis, Iran	Parthian Empire and Sasanian Empire
Parvizeh Evaz castle	قلعه پرویزه اوز	Evaz County	Sasanian Empire
Posht Qaleh Abdanan castle	قلعه پشت قلعه آبدانان	Abdanan County	Sasanian Empire
Posht Qaleh Chavar	پشت قلعه چوار	Ilam County	Historical periods after Islam
Poshtab Castle	قلعه پشتاب	Ahar County	Before the Medes
Poulad Castle	قلعه پولاد	Nur County	Seljuq dynasty
Pur Ashraf Sheykh Makan castle	قلعه پور اشرف شیخ مکان	Darreh Shahr County	1335 AH
Puskan castle	قلعه پوسکان	Kazerun County	Sasanian Empire

Q

Name	Persian name	Location	Founder and Era	Picture
Qadamgah castle	قلعه قدمگاه	Nehbandan County	Afsharid dynasty
Qadimi castle	قلعه قدیمی	Bijar County	Qajar dynasty and Pahlavi dynasty
Qahqah castle	قلعه قهقه	Ravar County	Sasanian Empire
Qahqaheh Castle	قلعه قهقهه	Meshginshahr	Safavid dynasty
Qarloq castle	قلعه قارلق	Bojnord County	Middle Ages Historical periods after Islam
Qala Qiran castle	قلعه قلا قیران	Ilam County	Parthian Empire
Qala Qureh castle	قلعه قلا قوره	Bijar County
Qalat Khawari castle	قلعه قلات خواری	Arsanjan County	Sasanian Empire
Qal'eh Bozi	قلعه بزی	Mobarakeh County	Sasanian Empire
Qal'eh Dokhtar	قلعه دختر	Firuzabad, Fars	Sasanian Empire
Qal'eh Dokhtar, Asiab	قلعه دختر	Birjand County	7th to 10th centuries AH
Qal'eh Dokhtar, Bileh Savar	قلعه دختر	Bileh Savar County	1st millennium BC
Qal'eh Dokhtar, Bishapur	قلعه دختر	Kazerun County	Sasanian Empire
Qal'eh Dokhtar, Doruneh	قلعه دختر	Bardaskan County	6th to 9th centuries AH
Qal'eh Dokhtar, Ferdows	قلعه دختر	Ferdows	Nizari Ismaili state
Qal'eh Dokhtar, Estahban	قلعه دختر	Estahban County	Middle Ages Historical periods after Islam
Qal'eh Dokhtar, Khooshab	قلعه دختر	Khooshab	6th to 8th centuries AH
Qal'eh Dokhtar, Khosrowshah	قلعه دختر	Khosrowshah	Before Islam
Qal'eh Dokhtar, Kuhsorkh	قلعه دختر	Kuhsorkh County	Nizari Ismaili state
Qal'eh Dokhtar, Kerman	قلعه دختر	Kerman	Medes
Qal'eh Dokhtar, Mark	قلعه دختر	Birjand County	7th to 10th centuries AH
Qal'eh Dokhtar, Mianeh	قلعه دختر	Mianeh County	1st millennium BC
Qal'eh Dokhtar, Qez Qaleh	قلعه دختر	Mianeh County	1st millennium BC
Qal'eh Dokhtar, Qom	قلعه دختر	Qom County	Sasanian Empire
Qal'eh Dokhtar, Shurab	قلعه دختر	Gonabad County	Sasanian Empire
Qal'eh Dokhtar, Saveh	قلعه دختر	Saveh	Sasanian Empire
Qal'eh Dokhtar II	قلعه دختر دوم	Kerman	Over two thousand years
Qal'eh Kuh of Ferdows	قلعه کوه فردوس	Ferdows	Unknown
Qala Castle, Ark	قلعه قلاع	Khusf County	Seljuk Empire
Qala Castle, Chahkand	قلعه قلاع	Sarbisheh County	Seljuk Empire
Qala Castle, Nowzad	قلعه قلاع	Darmian County	Nizari Ismaili state
Qala Castle, Mud	قلعه قلاع	Sarbisheh County	Nizari Ismaili state
Qala Castle, Sarayan	قلعه قلاع	Sarayan County	Nizari Ismaili state
Qala Castle, Shadan	قلعه قلاع	Khusf County	Seljuk Empire
Qala Castle Nu	قلعه قلا نو	Garmsar County	Parthian Empire
Qalat Castle, Bastak	قلعه قلات	Bastak County
Qalat Castle, Kavar	قلعه قلات	Shiraz County	Sasanian Empire
Qalat Castle, Qir and Karzin	قلعه قلات	Qir and Karzin County	Sasanian Empire
Qalat Jenah Castle	قلعه قلات جناح	Bastak County
Qameshlu castle	قلعه قمشلو	Tiran and Karvan County	Qajar dynasty
Qari Daqu castle	قلعه قری داغو	Buin Zahra County	Historical periods after Islam
Qanj Ali Khan Afshar castle	قلعه غنجعلیخان افشار	Baft County	Safavid dynasty
Qazlar Qaleh	قزلر قلعه	Esfarayen County	Achaemenid Empire and Parthian Empire
Qermez castle	قلعه قرمز	Cheshmeh Shur	Qajar dynasty
Qasem Khan castle	قلعه قاسم خان	Esfarayen County	Middle Ages and Late Historical Periods of Islam
Qelich castle	قلعه قلیچ	Esfarayen County	Achaemenid Empire and Parthian Empire
Qeshm Castle	قلعه قشم	Qeshm Island	Safavid dynasty
Qez Qaleh Si, Abadeh	قزقلعه‌سی	Abadeh County	Historical periods after Islam
Qez Qaleh Si, Bileh Savar	قزقلعه‌سی	Bileh Savar County	Sasanian Empire
Qezlar Qaleh Si castle	قزلار قلعه سی	Zanjan County	6th and 7th centuries AH
Qiz Castle, Jamkaran	قیزقلعه	Qom County	Sasanian Empire
Qiz Castle, Khoy	قیزقلعه	Khoy County	Urartu
Qiz Castle, Osku	قیزقلعه	Osku County	rehistoric times of ancient Iran
Qiz Castle Daghi	قیزقلعه	Mianeh County	Parthian Empire and Sasanian Empire
Qiz Castle Kondeskuh	قیزقلعه	Minudasht County	Historical periods after Islam
Qiz Castle Si	قیزقلعه	Mahneshan County	Historical periods after Islam
Qizlar Qaleh Si castle	قلعه قیزلارقلعه‌سی	Abhar County	Ilkhanate
Qomchoqay castle	قلعه قمچقای	Qomchoqay	3rd millennium BC
Qomrud castle	قلعه قمرود	Qomrud	Safavid dynasty
Qoshun castle	قلعه قشون	Bojnord County	Middle Ages Historical periods after Islam
Qurtan castle	قلعه قورتان	Qurtan	Sasanian Empire
Qujileh castle	قلعه قوجیله	Baneh County
Qunakh Qiran castle	قلعه قوناخ قیران	Ardabil County	Sasanian Empire

R

Name	Persian name	Location	Founder and Era	Picture
Rahmatabad castle	قلعه رحمت‌آباد	Hamidiya	Historical periods after Islam
Rahmanniyeh castle	قلعه رحمانیه	Rahmanniyeh
Rashkan Castle	دژ رشکان	Ray, Iran	Parthian Empire
Ramrud castle	قلعه رامرود	Hamun County	Timurid Empire
Rayen Castle	ارگ راین	Rayen	Sasanian Empire
Raqqeh castle	قلعه رقه	Boshruyeh County	Qajar dynasty
Razeh castle	قلعه رزه	Andimeshk County	Safavid dynasty
Remuk castle	قلعه رموک	Kerman County	Historical periods after Islam
Reshkuiyeh castle	قلعه رشکوئیه	Taft County	Qajar dynasty
Rey Castle	باروی ری	Ray, Iran	Medes
Razliq castle	قلعه رازلیق	Sarab County	1st millennium BC
Rig castle	قلعه ریگ	Kashmar	Seljuq dynasty
Robat castle	قلعه رباط	Abarkuh	Safavid dynasty
Roknabad castle	قلعه رکن‌آباد	Abarkuh County	Qajar dynasty
Rostam castle	قلعه رستم	Hamun County	Safavid dynasty
Rostam Castle, Khusf	قلعه رستم	Khusf County	Sasanian Empire
Rudbar castle	قلعه رودبار	Bastak County	Qajar dynast
Rudkhan Castle	قلعه رودخان	Fuman County	Sasanian Empire
Rumyan castle	قلعه رومیان	Nasirabad

S

Name	Persian name	Location	Founder and Era	Picture
S.P.R	اس‌پی‌آر	Neyriz County	Historical periods after Islam
Saheb Ekhtiarieh castle	قلعه صاحب اختیاریه	Asadabad County	Qajar dynasty
Sarmaj castle	قلعه سرماج	Harsin County	Sasanian Empire
Samabad castle	قلعه سام‌آباد	Qomrud	Qajar dynasty
Sang castle	قلعه سنگ	Sirjan County	Sasanian Empire
Sar Firuzabad castle	قلعه سر فیروزآباد	Eslamabad-e Gharb County	Sasanian Empire
Sar Tapeh castle	قلعه سرتپه	Bandar-e Gaz County
Sar Yazd Fortress	قلعه سریزد	Sar Yazd	Sasanian Empire
Saru Castles	قلعه سارو	Semnan	Kayanian dynasty
Sarvestan Palace	کاخ سروستان	Sarvestan	Sasanian Empire
Sarv-e Jahan castle	قلعه سروجهان	Abhar County	Ilkhanate and Seljuk Empire
Sarv-e Olya castle	قلعه سروعلیا	Ardakan County	Late Islamic period
Sarv-e Sofla castle	قلعه سرو سفلی	Ardakan County	Qajar dynasty
Salavatabad castle	قلعه صلوات‌آباد	Bijar County	Safavid dynasty
Sangar castle	قلعه سنگر	Esfarayen County	Parthian Empire and Sasanian Empire
Sam Castle	قلعه سام	Chardavol County	Late Parthian Empire
Sam Castle	قلعه سام	Hamun County	Parthian Empire
Sasan castle	قلعه ساسان	Qazvin County	Historical periods after Islam.
Sefid castle, Nadushan	قلعه سفید	Meybod County	Afsharid dynasty
Seh Kohye castle	قلعه سه کوهه	Zabol County	Qajar dynasty
School Castle 1	قلعه مدرسه ۱	Izeh County	Safavid dynasty
Selasal castle	قلعه سلاسل	Shushtar	Achaemenid Empire
Sen Sarud castle	قلعه سن سارود	Marand County	7th or 8th century AH
Semiran castle	قلعه سمیران	Bahramabad, Qazvin	Sasanian Empire
Semoran castle	قلعه سموران	Anbarabad County	Seljuk Empire
Shah Neshin castle	قلعه شاه‌نشین	Larestan County	Sasanian Empire
Shah Neshin Asiab Sar castle	قلعه شاه نشین آسیاب سر	Behshahr County	Early centuries of historical periods after Islam.
Shah Neshin Gorj castle	قلعه شاه نشین گورج	Amlash County	Historical periods after Islam
Shahdiz	قلعه شاهدژ	Nehbandan County	Seljuq dynasty
Shafiabad castle	قلعه شفیع‌آباد	Shafiabad	Qajar dynasty
Shargeh Castle	قلعه شرگه	Baneh County
Sherbit castle	قلعه شربیت	Ahar County	Parthian Empire
Shavvaz castle	قلعه شواز	Shavvaz, Yazd	Sasanian Empire
Sheikh Makan Fort	قلعه شیخ مکان	Sheykh Makan	Sasanian Empire
Shemiran castle	قلعه شمیران	Eyvan County	Sasanian Empire
Shian castle	قلعه شیان	Eslamabad-e Gharb County	Prehistoric times of ancient Iran
Shirkuh castle	قلعه شیرکوه	Qazvin County	Sasanian Empire
Shir Qal'eh	شیر قلعه	Mehdishahr County	Parthian Empire
Shindan Castle	قلعه شیندان	Astara County	Before the advent of Islam
Simakan castle	قلعه سیمکان	Bavanat County	Qajar dynasty
Shojaabad Castles	قلعه‌های شجاع آباد	Aran va Bidgol County	Qajar dynasty
Shush Castle	قلعه شوش	Susa	Qajar dynasty
Sib and Suran castle	قلعه سیب سوران	Sib and Suran County	Qajar dynasty
Siba Castle	قلعه سیبه	Bastak County	Sasanian Empire
Soltaniyeh castle	قلعه سلطانیه	Soltaniyeh	1st millennium BC
Sonni castle	قلعه سنی	Abarkuh County	Qajar dynasty
Surin castle	قلعه سورین	Baneh County

T

Name	Persian name	Location	Founder and Era	Picture
Tabreh Castle	دژ طبره	Isfahan County	Sasanian Empire
Tarq Castle	قلعه طرق	Tarq, Isfahan	Parthian Empire
Tak Aghaj Castle	قلعه تک آغاج	Astara County	Seljuk Empire
Takht-e Soleymān	تخت سلیمان	West Azerbaijan Province	Sasanian Empire
Tang Lorun Castle	قلعه تنگ لرون	Bavanat County	Sasanian Empire
Tawseelah Castle	قلعه توصیله	Kukherd	Sasanian Empire
Tepe Sialk	تپه سیلک	Kashan	Proto-Elamite
Timur Castle	قلعه تیمور	Zabol County	Timurid Empire
Tis Castle	قلعه تیس	Tis	Safavid dynasty
Tizak Castle	قلعه تیزک	Abarkuh County	Qajar dynasty
Tut Castle	قلعه توت	Ilam
Tutangi Meseh Castle	قلعه توتنگی مسه	Bavanat County	Sasanian Empire
Tus Citadel	قلعه توس	Tafresh County	Sasanian Empire

Y

Name	Persian name	Location	Founder and Era
Yahn castle	قلعه یهن	Birjand County	Timurid Empire to Safavid dynasty
Yazdegerd castle, Zardeh	قلعه یزدگرد	Zardeh	Parthian Empire
Yengejeh castle	قلعه ینگجه	Ardabil County	Seljuk Empire

Z

Name	Persian name	Location	Founder and Era	Picture
Zahhak Castle	قلعه ضحاک	Arablu, East Azerbaijan	Parthian Empire
Zar Bolagh castle	قلعه زاربلاغ	Aliabad, Qom	Medes
Zard Castle	قلعه زرد	Damghan County	Historical periods after Islam
Zardak Castle	قلعه زردک	Ardakan County	Qajar dynasty
Zendan Castle	قلعه زندان	Deyr County	Sasanian Empire
Ziaratgah Castle	قلعه زیارتگاه	Ziaratgah	Qajar dynasty
Zibad Castle	قلعه زیبد	Zibad
Ziwiyeh	تپه قلعه زیویه	Ziviyeh	1st millennium BC

See also

• List of castles

Notes and References

1. Web site: TOP 12 MOST INCREDIBLE CASTLES IN IRAN. Surf Iran. surfiran.com. 7 March 2020.
2. Web site: Bam and Arg-e-Bam, Iran. Auroville Earth Institute, UNESCO.
3. Book: Daftary, Farhad. The Isma'ilis: Their History and Doctrines. 2007-09-20. Cambridge University Press. 9781139465786. en.
4. Book: Virani, Shafique N.. The Ismailis in the Middle Ages: A History of Survival, a Search for Salvation. Oxford University Press. 2007. 9780195311730. New York.
5. Book: Petrushevskiĭ, Ilʹi͡a Pavlovich. Islam in Iran. SUNY Press. 1985. 0887060706. 363, Note 40.

   The numerical value of the word (Persian: الموت) is 483, which is the date of the castle's capture by Hassan-i Sabbah (483 AH = 1090/91 AD).

   .
6. Encyclopedia: Hourcade, B.. ALAMŪT. Encyclopædia Iranica. December 15, 1985. According to legend, an eagle indicated the site to a Daylamite ruler; hence the name, from aloh (eagle) and āmū(ḵ)t (taught).. February 10, 2013.
7. Bosworth. C. E.. January 1989. Review of Books. Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain & Ireland. 121. 1. 153–154. 10.1017/S0035869X00168108.
8. Web site: لانه‌موری و قلعه آتشگاه کاشمر. 4 February 2021. ghiasabadi.com.
9. Web site: Irania Encyclopedia (Persian). Irania Encyclopedia. 2021-02-04. 2019-06-07. https://web.archive.org/web/20190607003131/http://irania.ir/ie/4781. dead.
10. Web site: قلعه فلک الافلاک نگین خرم آباد. Young Journalists Club. 21 December 2019.
11. Nemati. Mohammadreza. Mousavinia. Mehdi. Sauer. Eberhard. Cereti. Carlo G.. 5 March 2019. Largest Ancient Fortress of South-West Asia and the Western World? Recent Fieldwork at Sasanian Qaleh Iraj at Pishva, Iran. Iran. 58. 2. 190–220. 10.1080/05786967.2019.1586449. 0578-6967. 20.500.11820/cab12d3c-7024-404f-a2b0-69cb85a36217. 192551517. free.
12. News: Iran's Iraj castle yields new finds. 20 October 2008. Press TV.
13. Web site: قلعه ایرج پیشوا، بزرگترین قلعه خشتی جهان در آستانه تخریب. IRNA. 18 October 2019.
14. Web site: Izad Khast Castle – Abadeh . travital.com . 23 September 2018.
15. Web site: Tours to Iran with Iran Tour Package. Iran Tour Package. en-US. 2019-07-13. 2019-07-13. https://web.archive.org/web/20190713173611/https://irantourpackage.com/. dead.
16. Web site: QALʿA-YE DOḴTAR. Huff. Dietrich. 2006. www.iranicaonline.org. en. 2017-02-03.