# Gerdkuh

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Nizari Ismaili fortress in present-day Semnan Province, Iran

For other uses, see [Gerdkuh (disambiguation)](/source/Gerdkuh_(disambiguation)).

Gerdkuh گردکوه Interactive map of the Gerdkuh area Alternative names Dez-i Gonbadan General information Status In ruins Type Fortress Architectural style Ismaili Location Qumis (modern Semnan Province, Iran), Damghan, Iran Coordinates 36°09′43″N 54°09′25″E / 36.16194°N 54.15694°E / 36.16194; 54.15694 Inaugurated 1100 Renovated 1096 Height Height 1,525 metres (5,003 ft) Dimensions Circumference 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) Technical details Material Stone Design and construction Developer Ra'is Mu'ayyad al-Din Muzaffar ibn Ahmad Mustawfi Known for Nizari Ismaili stronghold

**Gerdkuh** was a castle of the [Nizari Isma'ili state](/source/Nizari_Ismaili_state) located near [Damghan](/source/Damghan) in the region of [Qumis](/source/Qumis_(region)) (modern-day Semnan Province of Iran).

Gerdkuh is a "fortified mountain"—a high vertical rock of 300 m in height with buildings on its summit and fortifications at its sides, defended by a triple ring of fortifications at its foot, making the citadel impregnable to direct military assault. It was originally a small fort acquired and refortified in 1096 AD by a [Seljuq](/source/Seljuq_Empire) commander who was secretly a Nizari. The fortress served as a place of refuge for the families of the Nizaris, and its strategic location in the middle of the [Khorasan Road](/source/Khorasan_Road) made it a useful base for collecting taxes from the passing caravans of the Silk Road.

Gerdkuh resisted the [Mongol invasion](/source/Mongol_campaign_against_the_Nizaris) of 1253 AD for 17 years, becoming the last Nizari stronghold in Persia to fall. The fortress remained in use until the early [Safavid](/source/Safavid_Iran) period. Among the major [Nizari fortresses](/source/List_of_Ismaili_castles), Gerdkuh is the least studied one.

## Name

The word *Girdkūh*[1] ([Persian](/source/Persian_language): [گردکوه](https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%DA%AF%D8%B1%D8%AF%DA%A9%D9%88%D9%87#Persian)) is a compound of *gird* (گرد) for "circular" (round) and *kūh* (کوه) for "mountain". It is named this due to the circular shape of the mountain peak.

In the Chinese work *[History of Yuan](/source/History_of_Yuan)*, Gerdkuh is recorded multiple times, as *Yü-r-gu*, *K‘i-du-bu*, *K‘i-du-bu-gu*, and *Gir-r-du-k‘ie*, on top of the mount *Yen-han*, west of *Tan-han* (Damghan).[2] The fortress is called *Tigado* by [Hayton of Corycus](/source/Hayton_of_Corycus).[3]

The fortress is also known as *Dezh-e Gonbadān* (دژ گنبدان), literally "fortress of the domes"). The *Gonbadān-Dezh* (گنبدان دژ) mentioned in *[Shahnama](/source/Shahnama)*, in which [Isfandiyar](/source/Esfandiy%C4%81r) was imprisoned, may be identified with Gerdkuh.[4]

## Description

External media Images Gerdkuh Castle from destinationiran.com Rock of Gerdkuh from Wikia Video Reconstructed 3D model of the fortress on tamasha.com Reconstructed 3D model of the fortress on YouTube

Gerdkuh is located around 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) west of [Damghan](/source/Damghan) off the main Semnan road. It is best approached via the nearby village [Hajjiabad-e Razveh](/source/Hajjiabad-e_Razveh).[5]

The rock of Gerdkuh has a distinct conical shape which rises 300 metres (980 ft) above the surrounding [scree](/source/Scree) slopes. Apart from the east, the slopes are almost impossible to scale and no defensive works were necessary. The height of the plain surrounding the rock is 1,230 metres (4,040 ft), and the height of the top of Gerdkuh's fort is 1,525 metres (5,003 ft).[5] The steepness of the rock and its height has been noted in the work *[History of Yuan](/source/History_of_Yuan)*, which claims no arrows or mangonel stones could reach it.[2]

The main perimeter defense consisted of rings of 35 forts with a total circumference of 6 kilometres (3.7 mi). The forts are more concentrated on the eastern side, which feature three rings of them—one 300 metres (980 ft) away from the castle, another 200 metres (660 ft) away, and the third one right at the foot of the castle. Their purpose may include the protection of the cultivated fertile ground on the castle's foot, and tax-collecting bases for passing caravans, as well as a more conventional and accessible place of storage relative to the buildings at the hilltop.[5]

A rectangular outer [gatehouse](/source/Gatehouse) on the southern side apparently served as a reception post. The proper entrance is, however, via the main gatehouse on the eastern side. The main gatehouse was 10.5–12 metres (34–39 ft) wide and 7.5 metres (25 ft) high. It featured two round turrets on each side made of smooth dressed stones. The outer ramp leading to this gate was probably built by the besieging Mongols. There is a spring just above this gatehouse. Via a line of defenses it leads to an inner gatehouse which defends the only possible ascent to the main castle.[5] The mountain fortifications are defended with double walls built between towers. Natural perpendicular drops increased their effectiveness.[5]

The view from the top of the mountain is spectacular. To the south there is a wide vista over the nearby village to the [Great Salt Desert](/source/Dasht-e_Kavir) shimmering in the background. To the east you can see [Damghan](/source/Damghan) and, on a clear day, as far as Shahrud. After a heavy rainfall the agricultural area on the south-east slope inside the outer defense walls is very clear ... To the west stretches the road to [Semnan](/source/Semnan%2C_Iran) and the chain of the [Alborz mountains](/source/Alborz_mountains).[5]

Ruins of the late mud-brick wall on the hilltop

The mountain top has its own fortifications. There is a citadel 30.5 metres (100 ft) in length and 24 metres (79 ft) in width. Its base is built with dressed blocks of stone and features a well in the middle. The main inhabited area, which is visible from the plain, was a complex of two rows of buildings on the south-eastern slope, all of them at least two or three stories high. On the north-east, there is a late mud wall with little remnants of buildings. On the south-west there is a cistern and remains of a defensive tower. The main water catchment area is, however, the three cisterns on the southern side of the hilltop where the ground drops steeply about 60.5 metres (198 ft). They feature an outer wall of 3 metres (9.8 ft) in thickness made of stone and mud-brick covered by plaster, with vaulted roofs and turrets. There are more cisterns and wells elsewhere within the fortifications.[5]

## History

The fortress probably dates back to the pre-Islamic period. Gerdkuh was situated on the [Khorasan Road](/source/Khorasan_Road) and guarded the routes toward the [Alborz mountain range](/source/Alborz_mountain_range).[6]

### Seljuk period

See also: [Nizari-Seljuk conflicts](/source/Nizari-Seljuk_conflicts)

Gerdkuh was refortified and transferred into the [Nizari Isma'ili](/source/Nizari_Ismaili_state) possession in 1100 by [Ra'is](/source/Rais) Mu'ayyad al-Din Muzaffar ibn Ahmad Mustawfi (رئیس مؤید الدین مظفر بن احمد مستوفی), a secret Isma'ili convert and lieutenant of the Seljuq emir Amirdad Habashi (امیرداد حبشی), who in turn had acquired Gedrkuh in 1096 from Sultan [Barkiyaruq](/source/Barkiaruq). Now under [Hassan-i Sabbah](/source/Hassan-i_Sabbah), Muzaffar continued as the commandant of the stronghold until being succeeded by his son Sharaf al-Din Muhammad.[6]

Muzaffar reportedly dug an extremely deep well in the fort but did not reach the water. Years later, water gushed out after an earthquake.[7]

In 528 AH ([Islamic year](/source/Islamic_year)) during the reign of Sultan [Ahmad Sanjar](/source/Ahmad_Sanjar), Gerdkuh was besieged by *amir* Arghush. As the castle ran out of provisions, they bribed the *amir* to abandon the siege.[8]

### Khwarezmshahian period

During the [Mongol invasion](/source/Mongol_conquest_of_the_Khwarazmian_Empire), Sultan [Muhammad II of Khwarazm](/source/Muhammad_II_of_Khwarazm) retreated to [Ray](/source/Rey%2C_Iran). The Mongol commander [Subutai](/source/Subutai) followed him, and as he reached Damghan, some of the city elites sought refuge in Nizaris' Gerdkuh.[8]

### The Mongol siege of Gerdkuh

Mongol siege(s) of Gerdkuh Part of the Mongol campaign against the Nizaris The siege of Tigado (Gerdkuh), from a manuscript of La Flor des estoires de la terre d'Orient by Hayton of Corycus Date May 1253 – 15 December 1270 (17 years, 7 months) Location Gerdkuh Result Nizzari surrender from want of clothing [9] Belligerents Mongol Empire, succeeded by the Ilkhanate Bavandids Paduspanids Nizari Ismaili state (until 1256) Garrison of Gerdkuh Reinforcements from Alamut Commanders and leaders Kitbuqa Büri † Abaqa Khan Shams al-Muluk Muhammad Shahragim Qadi Tajuddin Mardanshah Strength 5000 mongol army [10] 10000 mongol army [11] Medieval sources: [12] 5000 knights 5000 infantary 110 the garrison [13] Casualties and losses 100 (first siege) Entire force

In March 1253, [Hülegü](/source/Hulagu_Khan)'s commander [Kitbuqa](/source/Kitbuqa), who was commanding the advance guard, crossed Oxus ([Amu Darya](/source/Amu_Darya)) with 12,000 men (one *[tümen](/source/Tumen_(unit))* plus two *[mingghans](/source/Mingghan)* under [Köke Ilgei](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=K%C3%B6ke_Ilgei&action=edit&redlink=1)).[14] In April 1253, he captured several Nizari fortresses in [Quhistan](/source/Quhistan) and killed their inhabitants, and in May he attacked [Qumis](/source/Qumis_(region)) and laid siege to Gerdkuh[15][16] with 5,000 men and build walls and siege works around it.[17] Kitbuqa left an army under *[amir](/source/Amir)* Büri to besiege Gerdkuh.[3][15]

In December 1253, Girdkuh's garrison sallied at night and killed 100 (or several hundred) Mongols, including Büri.[3][15] In the summer of 1254, an outbreak of [cholera](/source/Cholera) in Gerdkuh weakened the garrison's resistance. However, unlike [Lambsar](/source/Lambsar_Castle), Gerdkuh survived the epidemic and was saved by the arrival of reinforcements from Ala al-Din Muhammad in [Alamut](/source/Alamut_Castle).[15][18]

As [Hülegü](/source/Hulagu_Khan)'s main army was advancing in Iran, [Rukn al-Din Khurshah](/source/Rukn_al-Din_Khurshah) ordered Gerdkuh and fortresses of Quhistan to surrender. The Nizari chief in Gerdkuh, Qadi Tajuddin Mardanshah, surrendered, but the garrison continued to resist.[19] In 1256, [Maymun-Diz](/source/Maymun-Diz) and [Alamut](/source/Alamut_Castle) surrendered and were destroyed by the Mongols, resulting in the official disestablishment of the [Nizari Ismaili state](/source/Nizari_Ismaili_state). Khurshah was in the custody of the Mongols. As his position became intolerable, he asked Hülegü to be allowed to go meet [Möngke](/source/M%C3%B6ngke_Khan) in Mongolia to persuade the remaining Ismaili fortresses to surrender. Möngke rebuked him due to his failure to hand over Lambsar and Gerdkuh, and ordered a general massacre of all Nizari Ismailis, including Khurshah.[15][20]

The Mongols had built permanent buildings, houses, and defensive walls near Gerdkuh, the ruins of which still remain today in [Hajjiabad-e Razveh](/source/Hajjiabad-e_Razveh) and other nearby villages. Two types of stones used for Nizari and Mongol mangonels were visible on the northeastern slope as of 1985.[6][5] There are also remains of the Mongol siege works in the plain between Hajjiabad-e Razveh and Gerdkuh.[5]

The mongols could not defeat gerdkuh for 16 years. On December 1270, during the reign of Abaqa, the garrison of Gerdkuh surrendered from want of clothing. It was thirteen years after the fall of Alamut, and seventeen years after its first siege by Kitbuqa. The Mongols killed the surviving garrison but did not destroy the fortress.[9]

### After the Mongol takeover

Gerdkuh reappears only once in historical records in 1384,[6] when it was briefly captured by the rebellious governor [Amir Vali](/source/Amir_Vali) of [Astarabad](/source/Gorgan).[21] It was probably completely abandoned in the early [Safavid](/source/Safavid_Iran) period.[6]

### Modern studies

The [Qajar](/source/Qajar_dynasty) king [Naser al-Din Shah](/source/Naser_al-Din_Shah) (1848–1896) encouraged Shaykh [Mohammad Mehdi Abdol-Rabb-Abadi](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mohammad_Mehdi_Abdol-Rabb-Abadi&action=edit&redlink=1) to investigate the site, whose brief report contains accurate measurements.[5]

The site was visited multiple times by Peter Wiley, who left a detailed description in his book *Eagle's Nest*. In 1967 the site was reported to be covered with shards and artifacts; few of them were remaining in the following year.[5] No archeological survey of the ruins has been made as of 2012. Among major [Nizari castles](/source/List_of_Ismaili_castles), Gerdkuh is the least studied one.[6]

## See also

- [Muhammad (Bavandid ruler)](/source/Muhammad_(Bavandid_ruler))

- [Kafer Ghal'eh](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kafer_Ghal%27eh&action=edit&redlink=1) of Sangsar ([Mehdishahr](/source/Mehdishahr))

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** The name is variously transliterated as *Girdkuh* (*Girdkūh*), *Gerdkuh* (*Gerdkūh*), *Girdkoh* (*Girdkōh*), *Gird-i-Kuh* (*Gird-i-kūh*), *Gird-i-Koh* (*Gird-i-Kōh*).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Journal_of_the_North-China_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Journal_of_the_North-China_2-1) [*Journal of the North-China Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society*](https://books.google.com/books?id=bcNFAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA277). The Branch. 1876. pp. 277–278, note 241.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-History_of_the_Mongols_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-History_of_the_Mongols_3-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-History_of_the_Mongols_3-2) 霍渥斯 (1888). [*History of the Mongols: From the 9th to the 19th Century ...*](https://books.google.com/books?id=_tlVAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA95) 文殿閣書莊. p. 95.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["قلعه گردکوه دامغان"](https://web.archive.org/web/20100406035115/http://www.tarikhaneh.com/chehreha/damghan/gerd%20koh.htm) (in Persian). Archived from [the original](http://www.tarikhaneh.com/chehreha/damghan/gerd%20koh.htm) on 2010-04-06.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Willey2005-Gerdkuh_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Willey2005-Gerdkuh_5-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Willey2005-Gerdkuh_5-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Willey2005-Gerdkuh_5-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-Willey2005-Gerdkuh_5-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-Willey2005-Gerdkuh_5-5) [***g***](#cite_ref-Willey2005-Gerdkuh_5-6) [***h***](#cite_ref-Willey2005-Gerdkuh_5-7) [***i***](#cite_ref-Willey2005-Gerdkuh_5-8) [***j***](#cite_ref-Willey2005-Gerdkuh_5-9) [***k***](#cite_ref-Willey2005-Gerdkuh_5-10) Willey, Peter (2005). *Eagle's Nest: Ismaili Castles in Iran and Syria*. Bloomsbury Academic. pp. 148–154. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-85043-464-1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-85043-464-1).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-iranica-gerdkuh_6-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-iranica-gerdkuh_6-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-iranica-gerdkuh_6-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-iranica-gerdkuh_6-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-iranica-gerdkuh_6-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-iranica-gerdkuh_6-5) Daftary, Farhad. ["GERDKŪH – Encyclopaedia Iranica"](http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/gerdkuh). *www.iranicaonline.org*. Retrieved 1 April 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Daftary, Farhad (1992). *The Isma'ilis: Their History and Doctrines*. Cambridge University Press. p. 343. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-521-42974-0](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-521-42974-0).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Shadpur_8-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Shadpur_8-1) ["قومس و اسماعیلیان"](http://ensani.ir/fa/article/38869/%D9%82%D9%88%D9%85%D8%B3-%D9%88-%D8%A7%D8%B3%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%B9%DB%8C%D9%84%DB%8C%D8%A7%D9%86).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Daftary1992p429_9-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Daftary1992p429_9-1) Daftary, Farhad (1992). *The Isma'ilis: Their History and Doctrines*. Cambridge University Press. p. 429. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-521-42974-0](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-521-42974-0).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Daftary, Farhad (1992). *The Isma'ilis: Their History and Doctrines*. Cambridge University Press. p. 421. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-521-42974-0](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-521-42974-0).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** Bretschnrider (1910). *Medivæl researches from eastern Asiatic sources*. p. 110.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** Rashid al-din Hamadani. *Jami’ al-Tawarikh (Compendium of Chronicles)*. p. 243.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** Rashid al-din Hamadani. *Jami’ al-Tawarikh (Compendium of Chronicles)*. p. 245.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Komaroff2006_14-0)** Komaroff, Linda (2006). [*Beyond the Legacy of Genghis Khan*](https://books.google.com/books?id=mUgyAQAAQBAJ&pg=PA123). BRILL. p. 123. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-90-474-1857-3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-90-474-1857-3).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Willey2005_15-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Willey2005_15-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Willey2005_15-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Willey2005_15-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-Willey2005_15-4) Willey, Peter (2005). [*Eagle's Nest: Ismaili Castles in Iran and Syria*](https://books.google.com/books?id=RTyTn4ErwRIC). Bloomsbury Academic. pp. 75–85. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-85043-464-1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-85043-464-1).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Dashdondog2010_16-0)** Dashdondog, Bayarsaikhan (2010). *The Mongols and the Armenians (1220-1335)*. BRILL. p. 125. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-90-04-18635-4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-90-04-18635-4).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** Daftary, Farhad (1992). *The Isma'ilis: Their History and Doctrines*. Cambridge University Press. p. 421. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-521-42974-0](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-521-42974-0).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** Nasr, Seyyed Hossein (1977). [*Ismāʻīlī contributions to Islamic culture*](https://books.google.com/books?id=ft0IAQAAIAAJ). Imperial Iranian Academy of Philosophy. p. 20. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9780500973554](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9780500973554).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** Fisher, William Bayne; Boyle, J. A.; Boyle, John Andrew; Frye, Richard Nelson (1968). *The Cambridge History of Iran*. Cambridge University Press. p. 481. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-521-06936-6](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-521-06936-6).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Daftari2000_20-0)** [Daftary, Farhad](/source/Farhad_Daftary). ["The Mediaeval Ismailis of the Iranian Lands | The Institute of Ismaili Studies"](https://web.archive.org/web/20160803145807/http://www.iis.ac.uk/mediaeval-ismailis-iranian-lands). *www.iis.ac.uk*. Archived from [the original](http://www.iis.ac.uk/mediaeval-ismailis-iranian-lands) on 3 August 2016. Retrieved 31 March 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** ["ایگاه واحدهای پژوهشی مراکز استانها"](http://iribresearch.ir/paygah_marakez/cities/amaken_text.aspx?id=3377&ccode=18). *iribresearch.ir*. Retrieved 1 April 2020.[*[permanent dead link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Link_rot)*]

## External links

- Media related to [Gerdkuh](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Gerdkuh) at Wikimedia Commons

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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 Tabas-e Mesina 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

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Gerdkuh](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerdkuh) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerdkuh?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.