Qal'eh Dokhtar, Ghale Dokhtar, Dokhtar Castle or Dezh Dokhtar (, "The Maiden Castle") is a castle made by
Ardashir I
Ardashir I (), also known as Ardashir the Unifier (180–242 AD), was the founder of the Sasanian Empire, the last empire of ancient Iran. He was also Ardashir V of the Kings of Persis, until he founded the new empire. After defeating the last Par ...
, in present-day
Fars,
Iran
Iran, officially the Islamic Republic of Iran (IRI) and also known as Persia, is a country in West Asia. It borders Iraq to the west, Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Armenia to the northwest, the Caspian Sea to the north, Turkmenistan to the nort ...
, in 209 AD. It is located on a mountain slope near the
Firouzabad-
Kavar road.
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.
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.
Gallery
File:Qaleh Dokhtar 1 by Hadi Karimi.jpg, Far view from the castle
File:Dokhtar castle, Firuzabad- by Hadi Karimi.jpg, Far view from the castle
File:Dokhtar Palace2.jpg, Palace
File:Dokhtar Palace1.jpg, Palace
File:Bishabour - Daughter castle - panoramio.jpg, View of the castle
File:Ghaledokhtar Firuzabad Fars.jpg, View of the castle
File:269 قلعه دختر فیروزاباد فارس.jpg, View of the castle
File:Ghale Dokhtar Bishapour 1.jpg, View of the castle
File:Fars, Ghale dokhtar (فارس، قلعه دختر) - panoramio (3).jpg, Castle from above
File:Fars, Ghale dokhtar (فارس، قلعه دختر) - panoramio (1).jpg, Main chamber
File:Qaledochtar.jpg, Main chamber
File:Fars, Ghale dokhtar (فارس، قلعه دختر) - panoramio (2).jpg, Main chamber
See also
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List of Iranian castles
*
Iranian architecture
Iranian architecture or Persian architecture (, ''Me'māri e Irāni'') is the architecture of Iran and parts of the rest of West Asia, the Caucasus and Central Asia. Its history dates back to at least 5,000 BC with characteristic examples distr ...
*
Sassanid
The Sasanian Empire (), officially Eranshahr ( , "Empire of the Iranian peoples, Iranians"), was an List of monarchs of Iran, Iranian empire that was founded and ruled by the House of Sasan from 224 to 651. Enduring for over four centuries, th ...
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History of Persian domes
References
External links
*
{{Sasanian castles
209
Buildings and structures completed in the 3rd century
Gor (Sasanian city)
Castles in Iran
Sasanian castles
Buildings and structures in Fars province
Tourist attractions in Fars province
Ardashir I
Buildings and structures on the Iran National Heritage List