Poshtu Castle

Poshtu Castle, also known as Poshtab Castle or Pishtu, is one of the historical and ancient monuments of Hurand County in East Azerbaijan Province. The castle stands about 5 kilometres southeast of the center of Hurand County, on Farhad Dagh Mountain. This ancient military fortress dates back to the Parthian and Sasanian eras and is registered on the Iran National Heritage List.

The architecture of Poshtu Castle is rock-cut, carved into the heart of the mountain. The fortress has high rocky walls, surrounded on every side by deep precipices. The only entrance to the castle is a passage on the north side with 220 stone steps, and climbing it is both thrilling and challenging. Inside the castle you can see architectural remains and structures, including small chambers carved into the rock, which reflect the engineering and architectural skills of the ancient builders.

The castle can be reached by a dirt mountain road. To get there, first head from Hurand County toward Poshtab Village, then follow a mountain track to the castle. The best time to visit Poshtu Castle is spring (Farvardin to Khordad, roughly late March to June) and early autumn. During these periods the weather is mild, the surrounding countryside is green, and the difficult route is easier to travel. In the heat of summer, climbing and exploring the castle grounds is hard, and in winter the paths become icy and slippery. Mild times of the year are therefore the best choice, so that you can enjoy the nature as well as the historical experience.