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]
| 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 | |
  Location within Iran  Qal'eh Dokhtar (Iran) | |
| General information | |
| Type | Castle |
| Architectural style | Sasanian |
| Town or city | Firuzabad |
| Country | Iran |
| Coordinates | 28°55′15″N 52°31′48″E / 28.92083°N 52.53000°E |
| UNESCO World Heritage Site | |
|---|---|
| Location | Iran |
| Criteria | Cultural: (ii), (iii), (v) |
| Reference | 1568 |
| Inscription | 2018 (42nd Session) |
| Area | 639.3 ha (1,580 acres) |
| Buffer zone | 12,715 ha (31,420 acres) |
Name
editThe name of the castle implies it was dedicated to the Goddess Anahita, to whom the term "Maiden" refers.
Location
editThe castle is built on a high bluff which overlooks the river and roadway running south from Fars.
Specification
editIt 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]
Gallery
edit-
Far view from the castle
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Far view from the castle
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Palace
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Palace
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View of the castle
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View of the castle
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View of the castle
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View of the castle
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Castle from above
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Main chamber
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Main chamber
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Main chamber
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Huff, Dietrich (2006). "QALʿA-YE DOḴTAR". www.iranicaonline.org. Retrieved 2017-02-03.
- ^ "Qal'eh Dokhtar". www.itto.org. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
- ^ "مرمت قلعه دختر فيروزآباد تا پايان تيرماه". Iranian Students News Agency. 9 July 2017. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
- ^ "ابلاغ ایجاد شهرستان کوهسرخ در استان خراسان رضوی". Islamic Republic News Agency. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
External links
edit- "Photo: Maiden Castle - Firouzabad - Iran". Flickr. 9 October 2009.