Falak al-Aflak Castle in Lorestan

Falak al-Aflak or Shapurkhast fortress is a historic fortress in the center of Khorramabad city in Lorestan province. Also, Falak al-Aflak also known as the Twelve Towers Castle. Besides, the building located on a hill overlooking khorramabad city and near the river, in the center of the city and is the most eye-catching historical and tourism monument in the city.

In addition, the castle dates back to the Sassanid era. It registered on October 2, 1969 with registration number 883 in the National Monuments List of Iran.

Falak-Al-Aflak Castle

Namology

Falak al-Aflak literally means “Sepehr Sepehran”. Also, Falak al-Aflak Castle known by various names over time. Besides, among them are Shapurkhast Fortress, Sabre Khast, Khorramabad Castle, Twelve Towers and Atabkan Palace. Moreover, Khorramabad Castle has recorded since the Qajar period under the name Of Falak al-Aflak. In addition, given that twelve towers may be a reference to the twelve constellations, the name Falak al-Aflak may also have taken root from here.

History

The castle rebuilt during the Qajar era and during the reign of Fath’Ali Shah. Also, in ancient times and at the time of the Narrative Command of the Sassanid dynasty, Falak al-Aflak Castle or Shapurkhast fortress was of great importance and imprisoned Roman captives. Besides, in the 4th/10th century, he bed as the seat of al-Hasanwiya (ruler of Lorestan) and Ganjur during the Buyid period

In addition, in recent years, with the restoration of the exterior and inside the castle, archaeological museums, anthropology, object restoration laboratory, cultural production sales center and traditional tearoom have been launched in this historical cultural complex.

Moreover, When Alexander of Macedonia attacked Iran, the rulers of the time decided to hide valuables made of gold and silver in it, thus protecting them from Alexander. Besdes, after 2,000 years of antique objects accidentally by thieves! Some of these objects refurbished and are kept in the Castle Museum today.

Also, inside Khorramabad Castle, a laboratory equipped with restoration of ancient objects has constructed and beside it is a library with exquisite books.

Falak-Al-Aflak-Castle, Lorestan, Iran

Architecture

Khorramabad Castle is 5,300 square meters and its tallest tower is 22.5 meters above the hill. Also, the materials used in the construction of the castle are stone, brick (red and large), clay and mortar gypsum and lime. Besides, the entrance of the castle also built in the southwest tower with a width of 10 meters and a height of 3 meters.

In addition, over the past few years, the castle has repaired and refurbished many times, and most of the changes made during the Safavid and Qajar eras. Also, indigenous people and some historical documents say that until 100 years ago there was a double-sided, adobe and twelve-tower baroe surrounding the current building, of which only two towers remain in the northwest and southeast.

Moreover, there are two courtyards in the castle, the first of which surrounded by four towers. Also, two of these towers located in the north and northwest, and two in the southwest and south. Besides, the second courtyard also has a structure similar to the first yard. So, on the four side of it are large halls that connected to each other. This is the spot that has become a museum today.

Also, the bathroom located in the north of the first courtyard, and the well has also been dug nearby so they can provide the water needed for consumption in the bathroom easily. Besides, until the end of the Qajar dynasty, baths used and the remnants of this era still visible.

In addition, the well was also next to the bathroom and was dug behind a long vault. Besides, the well has made its way to golestan water source using rock sections and has gone up to 40 meters deep.Furthermore, in ancient times, the water needed by the inhabitants of Falak al-Aflak Castle supplied from this well and today it can exploit.

Construction

The castle dates back to the Sassanid era. Also, the Sassanid built a city called Shapurkhast around the current region of Khorramabad, which later destroyed and was built around the seventh century AH in khorramabad. Besides, Falak al-Aflak Castle believed to be the same fortress as ShapurKhast, which used in the Sassanid era. Moreover, since the 6th/10th century, after the new city of Khorramabad, this castle also known as Khorramabad, and it is probably referred to as Falak al-Aflak in the Qajar period.

Fortress use

This castle, due to its strategic location in the 4th/10th century, became the seat of al-Hasanwiya and Ganjur during the Buyid dynasty. Also, as well as the government treasury of the Badr family in the 4th/10th century and the government headquarters of Atabkan Lor-E-Small and the governors of Lorestan during the Safavid to Qajar period, and finally the military barracks and political prison during the first and second Pahlavi eras.

Current user

This valuable work handed over from the army to the former Ministry of Culture and Art in 1970 and registered in the National Monuments List of Iran no. 883. Also, in 1975, the building transformed into a museum with the establishment of the Museum of Anthropology and The Mofraghs of Lorestan. Besides, in recent years, with the restoration of the exterior and inside the castle, archaeological museums, anthropology, object restoration laboratory, cultural production sales center and traditional tearoom have launched in this historical cultural complex.

Lorestan Province

Landmarks Close to Falak al-Aflak

Brick Minaret: A famous structure built 900 years ago in the south of the city. Also, the height of the minaret reaches 30 meters and its base area is 5.5 meters.

Inscription: Writings in Kufic script located north of Falak al-Aflak Castle. Besides, it reaches 3.5 meters and dates back to the 6th century AD. Also, there are rulings about tax forgiveness, grazing livestock in Shapur’s pastures, and banning some undesirable traditions.

Broken Bridge or Shapouri Bridge: A bridge in the center of Khorramabad city that built during the Sassanid era, its length is 350 meters and its width is 5.8 meters.  The height of the tower 8 meters from the riverbed.

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