Nishtifan fortresses, engineering masterpiece of ancient Iran
Nshtifan Castles or Nshtifan Castles is a collection of historical windmills in Razavi Khorasan Province of Iran, which is located in the city of Nshtifan, located 20 kilometers southwest of Khaf. This collection is known as one of the largest and most prominent collections of clay, brick and wooden structures in Iran.
History:
The exact date of the construction of Nashtifan Asbads is not known, but some historians estimate their date to pre-Islam and around 1700 BC.
Architecture:
The asbads of Nashtifan are made of wood, clay and brick, and they used the 120-day winds of Sistan, which blow from the northeast during the hot season, to grind wheat and produce flour. The creative design of these palaces shows the intelligence and ingenuity of ancient Iranians in using natural resources for practical purposes.
Active asbads:
Of the original 32 asbads, 6 are still active and continue to produce flour. These restored asbads have become important tourist attractions, and freshly baked bread made from their flour is a popular local souvenir.
Cultural significance:
Asbads of Nashtifan were registered in the list of national monuments of Iran in 2001. These fortresses are not only historical monuments, but also as a symbol of innovation and creativity of Iranians, they have great cultural importance.
