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Bam Citadel; Travel to Iran, UNESCO, Kerman, Bam, Iran Tour

Bam Citadel is the oldest and biggest clayey castle in the world which located in Kerman. Architecture of the castle is special and it was used for different purposes. Ernst Herzfeld has said that antiquity of this place is dating back to nearly 2000 years B.C.

Iran Destination: Bam Citadel, the glory of ancient history

Iran Destination: Bam Citadel, the glory of ancient history

To be honest, there is not a lot information about the date of construction of the Citadel. However, different passengers and historians have written different stories about Bam Citadel. It may say that the oldest part of the castle dates back to the first ages of Sassanid era.

During Parthian and Sassanid era, people were constructing castles to protect themselves so that the enemies couldn’t attack them.

Based on historical possibilities, however, there are four reasons for constructing the Citadel, namely: defending themselves, using it as military base, prepare water and religious reasons.

Iran Destination: Bam Citadel, the glory of ancient history , photo: @SamDavani

Iran Destination: Bam Citadel, photo: @SamDavani , May 2014

The most possibility is to use the citadel as military base. However, The castle was a great place for archers to defend the city. Width of the ditches was between 5 to 15 and depth of them was 4.2 meters.

Ditches with these dimensions were hard for enemies to pass. The Citadel has different towers from which the soldiers warned people.

The security system was high during the era of constructing the citadel. Narrow alleys and underground canals, however, is demonstrating the high security system of here in the past.

Iran Destination: Bam Citadel

Iran Destination: Bam Citadel

However, area of the rectangular citadel, with 300 meters’ length and 200 meters’ width, is 6000 hectares, vast and enormous!  The citadel and buildings near it were surrounded by walls and seems that there used to be an old city which was a place for living common people and citadel was a place for kings and nobles.

Earthquake of Bam

In 2003, unfortunately the citadel was partly destroyed by a strong earthquake of Bam with power of 6.6 Richter. Today, the remains of  the citadel can be seen, although the reconstruction is on hand.

Iran Destination: Bam Citadel, after earthquake in 2003

Iran Destination: Bam Citadel, after earthquake in 2003

Visit Bam Citadel

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Bam Citadel; Travel to Iran, UNESCO, Kerman, Bam, Iran Tour