Valī Castle

Valī Castle is one of the surviving buildings of the Qajar period. It was built on a hill north of Pasdaran Street in the city of Ilam, on the orders of Gholamreza Khan Vali. The architecture of the castle combines the traditional Iranian style with influences from Ottoman architecture, which was common in the region at the time. This historic monument was registered on Iran's National Heritage list in 1376 (Solar Hijri) under registration number 1798, and today it is regarded as one of the cultural and tourist symbols of Ilam Province.

Valī Castle spreads over an area of about 4,000 to 4,500 square metres and includes several large and small rooms, four iwans, two terraces, a royal hall (shahneshin), a mirror room and several basements. Its architecture is based on the Qajar style, using local materials such as brick, stone, plaster, tile and wood. Decorations such as Roman arches, stucco work, coloured latticed windows, turquoise brick railings and a stone pool are among the architectural highlights of the castle. During the Iran-Iraq War part of the castle was destroyed, but its restoration began in 1367 (Solar Hijri) and was completed in 1369. Today, the Ilam Anthropology Museum is housed in the pleasant setting of this building, displaying the rituals, local clothing, handicrafts and culture of the various peoples of the province.

To reach Valī Castle, simply head north along Pasdaran Street in the city of Ilam. The central location of the building makes it easy to reach by private car or city taxi. A visit to the castle usually takes 1 to 2 hours, and visiting hours are generally in the mornings and evenings. The best time to visit this historic site is spring and the Nowruz period, when festivities and cultural performances are held in the museum, making the visit even more appealing. When visiting, please respect the authenticity of the building, avoid damaging the restored sections, and do not leave any litter behind, so that this historic heritage can endure.