Behestan Castle

Behestan Castle, also known as "Kohan Dezh" (Ancient Fortress), "Dudkesh-e Jen" (the Jinn's Chimney), "Takht-e Div" (the Demon's Throne) or "Qaleh Div" (the Demon's Castle), is located in Mahneshan County, Zanjan Province, next to the Qezel Ozan River. This historic fortress is one of the 20 important castles of the region. Thanks to its strategic position beside the Qezel Ozan River and in the heart of the conglomerate mountains, it served as a defensive base throughout history. The age of this ancient fortress has been attributed to the Median period, and some studies have dated it to the Achaemenid era. However, archaeological evidence shows that the castle was in use in the post-Islamic period, especially in the 5th to 6th centuries AH (lunar Hijri).

To build the castle, the mountain was skilfully carved out, and hand-cut rooms, corridors and staircases in the Iranian architectural style were shaped inside it. The interior of the castle consists of rooms, corridors and staircases designed to make defence easier and to connect its different parts. Some of the rooms have pointed ceilings and niches for placing oil lamps. The upper levels of the castle served a defensive purpose, while the lower levels were used as storerooms for provisions. At the highest part of the castle there is a stone and sarooj (traditional waterproof mortar) basin measuring 7 by 3 metres, which was supplied with water through clay pipes.

Visiting Behestan Castle offers a unique experience of the history and architecture of ancient Iran. To reach the castle, you first need to travel to Mahneshan County; the castle lies about 10 to 20 kilometres southeast of Mahneshan, near the village of Behestan. The route to the castle involves walking in the mountains, so visitors are advised to bring suitable hiking equipment. It is recommended to visit this historic site in autumn or winter, as the milder weather makes for a more pleasant experience. It is also very important to follow responsible nature-tourism practices, such as preserving the historic structure, not damaging the stones and avoiding worn or deteriorated areas.