21
September 2005
By
Farzaneh Shokri- In the midst of the high Zagros
Mountains a majestic fortress, which may be
considered as significant as Arg-e Bam, stands
tall to serve as a reminder of an ancient Iranian
civilization dating back to thousands of years.
Unlike all other Iranian forts, which are located
away from cities and in difficult mountainous
terrain, Falak-ol-Aflak Fortress is situated on a
hillock, which is an archaeological site, at an
altitude of 40 meters in the center of the city of
Khorramabad, Lorestan province.
Khorramabad River runs along the eastern and
southern sides of the fort serving as a
fortification like a moat.
Khorramabad, which is located 490 kilometers
southwest of Tehran, has a temperate climate and
an abundance of water canals and springs. The city
has many historical sites, the most famous being
Falak-ol-Aflak which can be viewed from all
directions.
Construction of the fortress started during the Sasanid
dynasty (226-651 A.D.) and history books have
referred to the edifice as Shahpur Khast or Sabor
Khast Fortress, Dezbar and finally, Falak-ol-Aflak
Fortress.
The fortress was constructed near pre-historic
inhabited caves and Golestan Springs which arises
from the northern slope of the hill.
The present-day fortress has eight towers
extending over a total area of about 5,300 meters.
The structure consists of two courtyards, four
large foyers as well as other halls and rooms.
The entrance to the fortress is located on the
northern side. The second courtyard is reached by
a corridor under a high arch. The first courtyard
is measures 31 m X 22.50 m while the second one 29
m X 21 m.
The water inside the fortress is supplied from a
well 40 meters deep, which mainly passes through
the rocks to reach the top of the Golestan
Springs. The well is still in use.
Currently the fortress houses a museum which
consists of archaeology, anthropology and
traditional art sections.
The cogs on the fortress serve to remind the
visitor of a prison since it was used as a jail
during the first Pahlavi era.
The fortress was transferred to the Cultural
Heritage Department by the Army in 1970 and was
subsequently registered on the national cultural
heritage list.
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