Qal'eh Dokhtar

Castle in Firuzabad County, Iranian national heritage site

28°55′15″N 52°31′48″E / 28.92083°N 52.53000°E / 28.92083; 52.53000

Sassanid Archaeological Landscape of Fars Region
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)

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]

Name

The name of the castle implies it was dedicated to the Goddess Anahita, to whom the term "Maiden" refers.

Location

The castle is built on a high bluff which overlooks the river and roadway running south from Fars.

Specification

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]

Gallery

Far view from the castle
Far view from the castle
Palace
Palace
View of the castle
View of the castle
View of the castle
View of the castle
Castle from above
Main chamber
Main chamber
Main chamber

References

^ 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

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Qal'eh Dokhtar, Firuzabad.

"Photo: Maiden Castle - Firouzabad - Iran". Flickr. 9 October 2009.

Iranian architecture

Periods

Zoroastrian	Achaemenid Parthian style Sasanian
Islamic	Early Islamic Seljuk Ilkhanid Timurid Safavid

Types

Elements

Ab anbar
Andaruni
Biruni
Burj
Chahartaq
Dalan e Vorudi
Gonbad
Hashti
Howz
Imamzadeh
Iwan
Kariz
Kucheh
Panjdari
Persian Garden (hayāt)
Qanat
Sahn
Shabestan
Talar
Windcatchers
Yakhchāl

Traditional cities

Theory and analysis

Lists

Fars Province, Iran

Capital

Shiraz

Counties
and cities

Abadeh County	Abadeh Bahman Izadkhvast Soghad Surmaq
Bakhtegan County	Abadeh Tashk
Arsanjan County	Arsanjan
Beyza County	Beyza
Bavanat County	Surian
Chenar Shahijan County	Qaemiyeh
Darab County	Darab Jannat Shahr
Eqlid County	Eqlid Sedeh
Estahban County	Estahban Ij Runiz
Evaz County	Evaz Bidshahr Fishvar
Farashband County	Farashband Dehram Nujin
Fasa County	Fasa Now Bandegan Sheshdeh Zahedshahr
Firuzabad County	Firuzabad Meymand
Gerash County	Gerash Arad
Jahrom County	Jahrom Duzeh Qotbabad
Kavar County	Kavar
Kazerun County	Kazerun Baladeh Khesht Konartakhteh Nowdan
Kharameh County	Kharameh
Khonj County	Khonj
Khorrambid County	Safashahr Qaderabad
Lamerd County	Lamerd Ahel Alamarvdasht Eshkanan Chah Varz
Larestan County	Lar Beyram Banaruiyeh Juyom Khur Latifi
Mamasani County	Nurabad Khumeh Zar
Marvdasht County	Marvdasht Kamfiruz Ramjerd Seyyedan
Mohr County	Mohr Asir Galleh Dar Varavi
Neyriz County	Neyriz Meshkan Qatruyeh
Pasargad County	Saadat Shahr
Qir and Karzin County	Qir Efzar Karzin
Rostam County	Masiri
Sarchehan County	Korehi
Sarvestan County	Sarvestan
Sepidan County	Ardakan Hamashahr
Zarqan County	Lapui Zarqan
Shiraz County	Shiraz Darian
Zarrin Dasht County	Hajjiabad Dowbaran Shahr-e Pir
Khafr County	Bab Anar Khavaran

Landmarks

Afif-Abad Garden
Amir's dam
Arg of Karim Khan
Barmdelak lagoon
Bishapur
Delgosha Garden
Eram Garden
Istakhr
Ghal'eh Dokhtar
Ka'ba-ye Zartosht
Kazerun fire temple
Lake Parishan
Naqsh-e Rajab
Naqsh-e Rustam
Palace of Ardashir
Sangtarashan cave
Pars Museum
Pasargadae
Persepolis
Qavam House
Qur'an Gate
Saadi's mausoleum
Sarvestan Sassanian palace
Shah Cheragh
Colossal Statue of Shapur I in Shapur cave
Tangeh Bolaghi
Tomb of Ali ibn Hamzah, Shiraz
Hāfezieh
Tomb of Seyed Alaeddin Husayn
Tounbbot
Vakil Bath
Vakil Bazaar
Vakil Mosque

Populated places

List of cities, towns and villages in Fars Province

v t e Castles in Iran
East Azerbaijan	Arg of Tabriz Avarsin Castle Babak Fort Bakhtak Leylan Castle Dokhtaran Castle Hulagu Khan Castle Poshtab Castle Jushin Castle Kordasht Castle Naryn Castle, Sardrud Razliq Castle Sen Sarud Castle Qal'eh Dokhtar, Mianeh Qal'eh Dokhtar, Khosrowshah Qal'eh Dokhtar, Qez Qaleh Qiz Castle, Osku Qiz Castle Daghi Zahhak Castle Sherbit Castle Dag Castle
West Azerbaijan	Takht-e Soleymān Chehriq Dimdim Castle Kafar Qaleh Si Qiz Castle, Khoy Kol Kharabeh Castle Asgarabad Castle
Isfahan	Abyaneh Arg of Murcheh Khvort Ali Ahmad Domab Castle Atashgah Castle, Qehi Bayazeh Castle Gouged Stronghold Qurtan Castle Jalali Castle Naryn Castle, Nain Karshahi Castle Kheshti Castle Tarq Castle Tabreh Castle Yengejeh Castle Qal'eh Bozi Qunakh Qiran Castle Shojaabad Castles Murchan Castle Qameshlu Castle Ab Sefid Ab Castle Khanabad Castle
Ardabil	Bar Bar Castle Buyni Yugun Castle Div Castle Golshekanan Castle Kohneh Qal'eh, Meshginshahr Naryn Castle, Ardabil Khosrow Castle Owltan Castle Qahqaheh Castle Qal'eh Dokhtar, Bileh Savar Qez Qaleh Si, Abadeh Qez Qaleh Si, Bileh Savar
Alborz	Gabaran Castle Gahur Castle Falis Castle
Bushehr	Agha Khan Liravi-ye Castle Bardestan Castle Kalat Ahram Castle Borazjan Castle Khormoj Castle Nasori Castle Zendan Castle Dutch Castle Hesar Castle
Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad	Kak Kahzad Castle, Dana
Golestan	Jiq Qareh Tapeh Daz castle Qiz Castle Kondeskuh Sar Tapeh Castle
Gilan	Bandbon Castle Chimarud Castle Rudkhan Castle Lisar Castle Kalisham Castle Tak Aghaj Castle Shindan Castle Ispahbudhan Castle Shah Neshin Gorj Castle
Tehran	Firuzkuh Castle Gabri Castle, Ray Iraj Castle Rashkan Castle Rey Castle Deh Shad Castle Ammameh Castle Kheyrabad Castle
Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari	Ardal Castle Dezak Castle Junqan Castle Chaleshtar Castle Faradonbeh Castle
North Khorasan	Arg of Alma Dushen Belqeys Castle Bidvaz Castle Jalal al-Din Castle Gurkanan Castle Kohneh Castle, Nuk Kohneh Castle, Nasrabad Kohneh Castle, Kariz Dar Kohneh Castle, Guren Kohneh Castle, Ardein Kohneh Castle, Agdash Qasem Khan Castle Sangar Castle Qelich Castle Kafar Qaleh, Esfarayen Qazlar Qaleh Kafaran Castle Qoshun Castle Qarloq Castle Arg Bala Castle
Razavi Khorasan	Arg of Kashmar Atashgah Castle Bezanjerd Castle Gabar Hesar Castle Rig Castle Bardarud Castle Mikal Castle Mojahedabad Castle Kohneh Castle, Zendeh Jan Nameq Castle Qal'eh Dokhtar, Doruneh Qal'eh Dokhtar, Khooshab Qal'eh Dokhtar, Kuhsorkh Qal'eh Dokhtar, Shurab Rahmanniyeh Castle Tus Citadel Zibad Castle Forud Castle Kondor Castle Kohneh Qal'eh, Zafaraniyeh
South Khorasan	Arg of Kolah Farangi Arg of Tabas Chehel Dokhtar Castle, Qaen Bidesgan Castle Shahdiz Birjand Castle Howgend Castle Howz Gholam Kesh Castle Rostam Castle Rostam Castle, Khusf Furg Citadel Khvor Castle Khanik Castle Kol Hassan Sabbah Castle Kuh Qaen Castle Kuh Zardan Castle Qal'eh Dokhtar, Ferdows Qal'eh Kuh of Ferdows Qadamgah Castle Qala Castle, Shadan Qala Castle, Nowzad Qala Castle, Mud Qala Castle, Chahkand Qala Castle, Sarayan Qala Castle, Ark Azizabad Castle Raqqeh Castle Yahn Castle Nowferest Castle Nughab Castle Masen Castle Kuh Shakhen Castle Kamar Qala Castle Aliabad Castle, Birjand Dezh Estakhr Castle Qal'eh Dokhtar, Mark Qal'eh Dokhtar, Asiab Khorashad Castle Chahkanduk Castle Babuk Castle Asu Castle
Khuzestan	Arrajan Castle Mahtabi Castle Shush Castle Selasal Castle Kuran Castle Razeh Castle Hosseini Castle Bardel Castle Garmez Castle Kazhdom Castle School Castle 1
Kurdistan	Ziwiyeh Castle Kani Now Castle Qomchoqay castle Qujileh Castle Shargeh Castle Surin Castle Do Sineh Castle Barvish Kani Castle Aghli Beg Castle Kan shir Kesh Olya Castle Qala Qureh Castle Qadimi Castle Salavatabad Castle Khan Baghi Castle Akh Kand Bala Castle Akh Kand Pain Castle
Semnan	Estanavand Naruheh castle Gerdkuh Saru Castles Shir Qal'eh Pa Deh Castle Kafar Castle Kafar Qaleh, Mehdishahr Mansur Kuh Castle Mehrnegar Castle Zard Castle
Sistan and Baluchestan	Bampur Castle Baloch Got castle Chanef Castle Espakeh Castle Firuzabad Castle Irandegan Castle Heriduk Castle Timur Castle Tis Castle Ramrud Castle Sam Castle, Hamun Sarbaz Castle Seh Kohye Castle Sib and Suran Castle Nik Shahr Castle Kak Kahzad Castle, Hamun Machi Castle Pirouz Got Castle Daman Castle Chehel Dokhtaran castle Chehel Dokhtar Castle, Iranshahr Espidezh Castle Abtar Castle Naseri Castle
Fars	Arg of Karim Khan Ashpaz Khaneh Zahhak castle Azhdeha Peykar Castle Gachi Castle Qal'eh Dokhtar Izad-Khast Castle Tabar Castle Mazayjan Castle Qal'eh Dokhtar, Bishapur Hamzehkhani Castle Puskan Castle Parvizeh Evaz Castle Angosht Gabri Castle Eshkanan Castle S.P.R (Castle) Gabri Dehdaq Castle Do Qolleh Castle Qalat Castle, Kavar Qalat Castle, Qir and Karzin Mehr Ali Farsi Castle Kohneh Castle, Jafarabad Kafarha Castle Qal'eh Dokhtar, Estahban Qalat Khawari Castle Gud Qalat Castle Afrasiab Khan Castle Shah Neshin Castle Simakan Castle Tutangi Meseh Castle Tang Lorun Castle Bazm Castle Sarvestan Palace
Qazvin	Alamut Castle Sasan Castle Semiran Castle Shirkuh Castle Meimoon Ghal'eh Lambsar Castle Maymun-Diz Kafar Qaleh, Qazvin Kuchar Castle Lawajik Castle Qari Daqu Castle Faizabad Castle
Qom	Qal'eh Dokhtar, Qom Geli Castle Mozaffarabad Castle Qermez Castle Qomrud Castle Samabad Castle Zar Bolagh Castle Qiz Castle, Jamkaran
Kerman	Anar Castle Kohneh Castle, Shaab Jereh Qal'eh Dokhtar, Kerman Arg-e Bam Qal'eh Dokhtar II Shafiabad Castle Hoshoun Castle Davudabad Castle Manujan Castle Ardeshir Castle Keshit Castle Rayen Castle Sang Castle Semoran Castle Qahqah Castle Qanj Ali Khan Afshar Castle Ziaratgah Castle Ganj Ali Khan Castle Remuk Castle Doran Castle Bahaabad Castle Deh-e Khvajeh Castle Malekabad Zakht Castle Dashtab Castles Esfandaqeh Castle
Kermanshah	Ban Qaleh Bard Zanjir Castle Maryam Castle Sarmaj Castle Yazdegerd Castle, Zardeh Shian Castle Sar Firuzabad Castle Akbar Khan Castle
Mazandaran	Arudasht Lar Castle Chehel Dar Castle Malek Bahman Castle Markuh Castle Kangelo Castle Poulad Castle Owlad Castle Molk Kioumars Castle Palangan Castle Shah Neshin Asiab Sar Castle Kati Abu ol Hasan Kola Castle
Markazi	Qal'eh Dokhtar, Saveh Jamshidi Castle Milajerd Castle Moghuyeh Castle Khandan Bahadori Castle Haj Wakil Castle
Lorestan	Arbabi Castle Azna Castle Bajul Ab Barik Castle Bajul Castle Rumyan Castle Nakam Castle Shapur Khast Aq Bolagh Castle Deh Kord Castle
Ilam	Abdanan Castle Hezar Darb Castle Sam Castle, Chardavol Sheikh Makan Fort Valy Castle Mir Ghulam Hashemi Castle Posht Qaleh Chavar Qala Qiran Castle Kolm Castle Chavar Qala Castle Chakor Buli Chavar Castle Tut Castle Pur Ashraf Sheykh Makan Castle Panj Berar Murmuri Castle Posht Qaleh Abdanan Castle Paqala Hezarani Castle Anjir Dehloran Castle Ismail Khan Castle Hezarani Castle Qala Castle Nu Guria Castle Shemiran Castle
Hormozgan	Aamaj Castle Siba Castle Siba Castle Fin Castle Hezareh Castle Tawseelah Castle Leshtan Castle Fort of Our Lady of the Conception Qeshm Castle Khamir Castle Laft Castle Ilud Castle Qalat Castle, Bastak Larak Castle Kuhij Castle Kamiz Castle Qalat Jenah Castle Fatuyeh Castle Didehban Castle Hajjiabad Castle Kong Portuguese Castle Rudbar Castle Dulab Castle Khan Bastak Castle Eshgaft-e Moneh Castle
Hamadan	Ardalan Castle Chobin Castle Nahavand Castle Noushijan Saheb Ekhtiarieh Castle Hasan Abdal Castle
Yazd	Sefid Castle, Nadushan Naryn Castle, Meybod Baqerabad Castle Hoseynabad Castle Khavidak Castle Sar Yazd Fortress Kharanaq Castle Khosrowabad Castle Ernan Castle Shavvaz Castle Reshkuiyeh Castle Robat Castle Pahlavan Badi Castle Rahmatabad Castle Marvast Castle Abarndabad Castle Mehrjerd Castle Mehrpadin Castle Haruni Castle Sonni Castle Roknabad Castle Tizak Castle Bedaf Castle Bagh Tirjerd Castle Ardi Castle Ahmadabad Castle Sarv-e Olya Castle Sarv-e Sofla Castle Zardak Castle Chah Nu Castle Chah Afzal Castle Allahabad Castle Asil Castle Deh Asgar Castle Chowgan Castle Aliabad Castle, Pish Kuh
Zanjan	Abhar Castle Aghur Castle Behestan Castle Biuk Khan Castle Hoz Leh Castle Navader Castle Sarv-e Jahan Castle Soltaniyeh Castle Qezlar Qaleh Si castle Qizlar Qaleh Si castle Qiz Castle Si Aq Qaleh Golabar Castle
Also See: Castles in Iran

Sasanian castles

Azerbaijan

Baku	Chirag Gala Maiden Tower
Nakhchivan	Yazdegerd Castle

Georgia

Lazica	Onoguris

Iraq

Diyala	Qal'at Sefid

Iran

Ardabil	Kohneh Qal'eh, Meshginshahr Qez Qaleh Si, Bileh Savar Qunakh Qiran castle
Bushehr	Zendan castle
East Azerbaijan Province	Babak Fort Dag Castle Hulagu Khan Castle Jushin Castle Poshtab Castle Qiz Castle Daghi
Fars	Angosht Gabri Castle Ashpaz Khaneh Zahhak Castle Azhdeha Peykar Castle Gud Qalat Castle Izad-Khast Castle Parvizeh Evaz Castle Puskan Castle Qal'eh Dokhtar Qal'eh Dokhtar, Bishapur Qalat Castle, Kavar Qalat Castle, Qir and Karzin Qalat Khawari Castle Sarvestan Palace Shah Neshin Castle Tang Lorun Castle Tutangi Meseh Castle
Gilan	Rudkhan Castle
Hamadan	Chobin Castle Nahavand Castle
Hormozgan	Aamaj Castle Dulab Castle Eshgaft-e Moneh Castle Siba Castle Tawseelah Castle
Ilam	Abdanan Castle Anjir Dehloran Castle Guria Castle Heliveh Castle Hezarani Castle Hezar Darb Castle Paqala Hezarani Castle Posht Qaleh Abdanan Castle Sheikh Makan Fort Shemiran Castle
Isfahan	Abyaneh Bayazeh Castle Karshahi Castle Qal'eh Bozi Qurtan Castle Tabreh Castle
Kerman	Ardeshir Castle Arg of Anar Qahqah Castle Rayen Castle Sang Castle
Kermanshah	Ban Qaleh Maryam Castle Sar Firuzabad Castle Sarmaj Castle
Khuzestan	Arrajan Castle Castle of Oblivion Garmez Castle
Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province	Kak Kahzad Castle, Dana
Lorestan	Falak-ol-Aflak
Markazi	Jamshidi Castle Qal'eh Dokhtar, Saveh
Mazandaran	Kangelo Castle Malek Bahman Castle Owlad Castle
North Khorasan Province	Belqeys Castle Sangar Castle
Qazvin	Lambsar Castle Meimoon Ghal'eh Semiran Castle Shirkuh Castle
Qom	Qal'eh Dokhtar, Qom Qiz Castle, Jamkaran
Razavi Khorasan	Atashgah Castle Qal'eh Dokhtar, Shurab Tus Citadel
Semnan	Shir Qal'eh
Sistan and Baluchestan Province	Bampur Castle Chehel Dokhtar Castle, Iranshahr Chehel Dokhtaran castle Kak Kahzad Castle, Hamun Mount Khajeh Pirouz Got Castle
South Khorasan	Rostam Castle, Khusf
Tehran	Gabri castle Iraj Castle
West Azerbaijan	Takht-e Soleymān
Yazd	Abarndabad castle Bedaf Castle Haruni Castle Khavidak Castle Naryn Castle, Meybod Sar Yazd Fortress Shavvaz Castle
Zanjan	Behestan Castle