|
|
|
Bahram Castle, Khorram Abad The remnants of this castle along with its ramparts or walls are located south of the village of Jolgeh Khalaj (Khorram Abad). The valley being surrounded with stone and mortar for further protection and the castle has only one entrance. A few walls can be observed on top of the valley. This castle held an important position in its own times and is one of the famous castles of ancient Iran. Changary Castle, Koohdasht Changary is a name of a mountain, which extends from the north-east of Koohdasht till the Seimareh River. On the peak of this mountain are the remnants of a few castles, the most important of which being the above mentioned. This castle overlooks the plains of Koohdasht. The remnants of this castle extend over an area of (100 x 75) sq. m. The said castle is most probably the largest castle of 'madanrud' in the vicinity of Lurestan. In the past, this castle comprised of two sections and each section had several large and small chambers. Today only its northern ramparts are left to be seen. Falakol Aflak Castle, Khorram Abad This reputed and historical castle is located on a stony hillock in the midst of the city of Khorram Abad. The original date of construction of the said castle is not known. It was formerly known as 'Shahpour Khast', but from the Qajar era has been called by its current name. On the whole, the circumference of the castle covers a vicinity of 228.60 m. and the elevation of its tallest rampart is 22.5 m. On entering, there is a covered corridor, having two chambers on the western and one on the eastern side. The corridor gives way to the court-yard (31x 22.5) sq. m. and is in a north-south direction. In the north-eastern part of the corridor, eight chambers have been constructed, which lead to a yard having a well which used to provide water of the castle. To the south of the castle is a corridor which also leads to the courtyard. The second courtyard of the castle, is rectangular with an area of (29 x 21) sq. m. This court-yard runs in an east-west direction having sixteen chambers. In the western portion which is a later construction, consists of fourteen chambers and two corridors. To the north-east of the castle is a corridor, which leads to a dark room most probably a prison cell. Steps from here give way to the roof of the structure. The scallops seen on the castle were constructed under the orders of Reza Shah. Surrounding the castle are large boulders, on which the southern towers have been built ( in all the castle has eight towers). During the Pahlavi reign, the Falak-ol-Aflak castle was used as a prison for political prisoners. This important historical relic attracts tourists and today, part of it has been converted into a museum. Kooragan Castle, Koohdasht Situated on the peaks of Do Shah in Koohdasht, are two castles with the same name. One of which is a relatively large castle of which a portion of its southern ramparts adjoin the mountainside, and parts of the remaining wall are also evident. Its entrance is on the southern side and within the castle are three large ponds or tanks used for water storage. The other castle is similar in structure to the first and is to the east of the former. In each one of the said castles a monarch or shah used to reside, thereby it was reputedly called the Do Shah castle. Mangreh Castle, Khorram Abad This castle is one of the ancient and important historical castles of Khorram Abad. This castle has been built on the peak of Dez to the west of the village of Gerdab and is related to the second half of the 5th century A.H. The castle with an area of approximately 2000 sq. m. has 12 chambers, each having an area of 5.50x4.50 sq. m. In the eastern side, are four water reservoirs covered with mortar. The said castle held great importance till the year 795 A.H. (or till the time of the attack of Amir Teimoor to Lurestan). As till then it dominated from the military point of view. At present only the ramparts and the ruined ceilings of the castle have been remained. Manijeh Castle, Koohdasht The above mentioned castle is located on the peak of 'Sarsarkhan' (Koohdasht). The length of its rampart is 100 m. To the north of this castle the remnants of a few rooms or chambers can be seen. There is also the evidence of a large water reservoir. The entrance to this castle is only from the valley. This castle being on a higher elevation than the surrounding valleys held a strategic position in the past. In addition this castle also has a secret tunnel running in the south and east directions. At the end of this tunnel is a well 22 m. deep, from where coins related to the Parthian period have been discovered. Shahanshah (Goosheh) Castle, Khorram Abad This ancient castle is located in the village of Goosheh in Khorram Abad, constructed of limestone. This castle has a courtyard with an area of 25x12 sq. m. The said castle comprises of 15 halls , besides several porches. The ramparts of the castle reach an elevation of 5 m. Other Castles, Lurestan Other castles of Lurestan Province are the following : 'Raki in the district of Chagni (Khorram Abad), 'Koohzad' in the village of Rumashkan (Koohdasht), 'Zaqeh' within 2 km. of Chaqabol (Khorram Abad), 'Zolalangeez' in the Sartarhan valley (Koohdasht), 'Sar Qalla' (Khorram Abad), 'Razzeh' (en route from Khorram Abad to Dezful), 'Gamvar' and 'Sileh' in (Koohdasht),'Cheq' or 'Joqd' (Koohdasht), 'Cheshmak' and 'Gareet' in (Khorram Abad), 'Qallajeq' in (Khorram Abad) and the 'Dez Sheeneh' Castle in (Alishtar). |
