| Atashgah Castle | |
| Native Name: | قلعه آتشگاه |
| Native Name Lang: | fa |
| Location Town: | Firuzabad |
| Location Country: | Iran |
| Coordinates: | 28.9208°N 52.53°W |
| Map Type: | Continental Asia#Iran |
| Relief: | yes |
| Building Type: | Castle |
| Architectural Style: | Sasanian |
| Whs: | Sassanid Archaeological Landscape of Fars Region |
| Image Upright: | 1.2 |
| Location: | Iran |
| Criteria: | (ii), (iii), (v) |
| Id: | 1568 |
| Year: | 2018 |
| Area: | 639.3ha |
| Buffer Zone: | 12715ha |
Qal'eh Dokhtar, Ghale Dokhtar, Dokhtar Castle or Dezh Dokhtar (Persian: دژ دختر, "The Maiden Castle") is a castle made by Ardashir I, in present-day Fars, Iran, in 209 AD. It is located on a mountain slope near the Firouzabad-Kavar road.[1] [2]
The name of the castle implies it was dedicated to the Goddess Anahita, to whom the term "Maiden" refers.
The castle is built on a high bluff which overlooks the river and roadway running south from Fars.
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.[3]
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.[4]