Ardeshir Castle: a journey in the heart of Kerman’s history
Ardeshir Castle, an ancient and mysterious fortress in the city of Kerman, seems to be the narrator of stories about the ups and downs of Iran’s history. This magnificent building, which dates back to the Sassanid era, stands out on a high hill in the southeast of Kerman, and its grandeur and beauty fascinates every tourist.
Passage in history:
The exact date of construction of Ardeshir Castle is not known, but according to the type of architecture and materials used in it, it dates back to the Sassanid period and probably before that. Throughout history, different uses have been considered for this building. In Islamic periods, it has been used as a mosque and a burial place for elders. Also, during the Qajar period, Ardeshir Castle was used as a grain store.
Architecture:
Ardeshir Castle is a stone building that includes two separate parts:
- Mountain Castle:
The higher part of the building, which includes a stone fence and several towers and ramparts.
The materials used in the construction of this section are crushed stone and plaster mortar.
The tower and ramparts of Qala Kouh were used in the past to watch and defend the castle against enemy attacks.
From the highest point of this section, you can see a wide and beautiful view of the city of Kerman and the surrounding plains. - The girl’s castle:
The shorter part of the building contains a large hall and several rooms.
The materials used in the construction of this section are clay and brick.
The large hall of Qala Dokhtar has beautiful decorations, including plastering and wall paintings.
In this section, there are several rooms that were used as residences and warehouses in the past.
secret:
Ardeshir Castle is a mysterious building full of mysteries. Some historians believe that this building was built on an ancient fire temple. There are different opinions about the use of this building in the pre-Islam era. Some believe that this building was used as a temple or place of worship. Also, some believe that this building was used as a fortress and residence of Sassanid kings.
Repair and reconstruction:
Ardeshir Castle has been restored many times throughout history. The first major restoration of this building was done during the Safavid period. During this period, the damaged parts of the building were restored. Also, in the Qajar period, new decorations were added inside the building.